From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Test history report on the disappointing performance of the T2 motor, discussing its issues and future prospects.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 35\2\ scan 199 | |
| Date | 8th July 1938 | |
| G.K. RS.{Sir Henry Royce's Secretary}V/MARK.I TEST HISTORY. X524 Contd. We have been most disappointed with the way the T2. motor has behaved on its latest test, for although we have cured the a bad case of one piece big end failure, the rest of the motor is not very good. We are also not happy with our dynamometer power and compression readings. The engine has to come just inside the V.P. airscrew constants, but has failed to do this on the last two tests. The reason is apparently that the boost has dropped. We have also ordered that the engine must have at least 300 lbs. for take off setting and this it no longer has. However, it is demonstrated that following certain work on the supercharger, it is possible to get a little bit back. As requested, I am setting up this history for a XII motor which should be proposed at its next meeting, to which we have not yet had a reply from Derby. I am not certain of the future of this motor as a fighting aircraft proposition. It has been fitted to a Fairey Battle which is now at Farnborough, and it appears to be no great shakes as an aircraft. It certainly now has a performance not much different from a Merlin II, if at all, so that its view to its final rejection on behalf of the Air Ministry is growing apace. It has certain good points such as blowing apart one common sump on which no thought was bestowed, it almost always has a good throttle response, which we have praised so much, and I feel sure that if a normal small end bush (bifurcated) could be now fitted to the engine and the exhaust system of the bifurcated rod cleared up, the motor might be quite good. O.T.S. | ||