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).
Engine improvements, materials, reliability, and performance ratings for various aircraft.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\1\ img160 | |
| Date | 16th November 1932 guessed | |
| (2) In conclusion, I quite agree that an increased speed is the way to get more power out of the engine, both HP. for weight, and HP. for money, but we must carefully add up as to whether we are losing much in fuel and oil consumption. I am assuming that the progress made in materials, such as stated in your memo., fully maintains the required reliability needed for the work the engines are intended. So we have the two piece block, the salt cooled valves, hardened shaft, copper lead bearings, balance weights, and other good things. Regarding the reduction gear we take it that this is always improving somewhat, the increase of centres being favour-able, and a better gearbox for rigidity. Like all hardened pieces it seems necessary to take great care to avoid any softness of skin or soft places in the gear, and to take full advantage of running them under conditions in which they become work hardened. I am looking upon it that we maintain our racing, military, and civil, rating which we recommend to be carefully considered when choosing engines. For instance, we think military rating is too high for the usual slow aircraft, or flying boat work. We have the advantage over aircooled engines in that we can push our engines for long spells, especially in the case of bad weather, and the failure of one in multiple engined machines. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||