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 the Experimental Department to The Avon India Rubber Co. Ltd. regarding the use of a Skid Pan.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 156\3\ scan0069 | |
| Date | 23th September 1938 | |
| 1331 EXPERIMENTAL DEPARTMENT. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}19/JH. 23rd. September, 1938. The Avon India Rubber Co.Ltd., Melksham, Wilts. For the attention of Mr.J.G.Mackay. Dear Sirs, In answer to your letter of 22nd. inst. we would say that it will be quite convenient for you to use the Skid Pan from 5th. to 8th. October and we shall be very glad to do all we can to assist you. We think that three pairs of smooth tyres will be quite sufficient. We make a nominal charge of £1. per day for the use of the skid pan. During your last visit to our Works the writer mentioned that we now make the car steer itself round the skid pan on the end of a wire. We find that this is a very great improvement and we strongly recommend that you should do the same. We attach a sketch of the arrangement so that you can make the necessary lever if it is possible to arrange it on your 25 HP. Vauxhall. We have made our lever from two pieces of steel tube 0.750 o.d. flattened at the ends and fixed under existing bolts. The lever should be reasonably strong as the load in the rope may reach about 150 lbs. We have to remove the bumper bar on our car and we attach the lever when we arrive at the skid pan. If you are unable to use a triangulated lever as we do, a lever made from one rectangular bar 1 1/4 x 1/4 section should be sufficient. On the skid pan it is unnecessary to turn the wheels on to left lock and the amount of movement on right lock is only about 10° so difficulties due to the lever fouling the frame etc. should not arise. We will lend you our rope and our telescope if you should want it. We hope the above is clear but if you should require any further particulars we shall be very glad to supply them. Yours faithfully, FOR ROLLS-ROYCE LTD. | ||