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).
Letter from F.H. Royce discussing the continued development and testing of the worm axle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 2\6\ B002_X 140 141 157-page203 | |
| Date | 19th April 1912 | |
| Mr Barrington for T.C to act as instructed herein & 23/4/12 Mr Wormald Mr Claude Johnson from F.H.R. Le CanadelHenry Royce's French residence; 19th April 1912. With reference to the Worm Axle, I think it has always been advisable for us to have a proper chassis fitted upon which we can fit the worm axle which has already been made. I see no reason for departing from this decision, because we have not yet done all the work to the worm axle, and having spent so much time and money on it I think it better to complete the chassis, and put in the best worm we can obtain before condemning. For instance, we have not yet tested the Hindley worm, and although we have come to the conclusion that the worm axle is not as wonderfully good as the people interested in worm axles would like to make the buying public believe, I think the Company should have an experimental car on the road so that we can see how the best worm axle we can make will behave under ordinary working conditions. I agree with Mr Barrington that we have not yet given the chassis a fair chance, and although it appears 10 to 1 against this axle being adopted, we should still proceed to fit it up with our standard engine. Whoever was the author of combining the test of the marine engine and worm axle ( 2 unknowns on 1 chassis) does not appear to be very wise. I am, therefore, expecting to hear that the marine engine is running with an otherwise standard chassis at an early date. The chassis which was intended for the combined marine engine and worm axle experiment should be abandoned. F.H.Royce. X141 | ||