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).
Design modifications and test results for Goshawk model components, specifically concerning axles, splashers, and steering.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan157 | |
| Date | 15th April 1922 | |
| contd:- -2- having the greater experience in severe work and wet, but I think that if the trouble is only squeaks that I have heard, to add weight to the rear axle would be a worse fault than the trouble it removes. I understood the noise had been cured by our suggestion of fitting a band or flange to damp the sonorous ring. If it would be an improvement, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} suggests we might rivet an aluminium L or U flange in the centre where the rivets would clear both brake straps - naturally the rivets would have to be counter-sunk on the inside. Splashers. We have suggested that the splashers on 4-Goshawk-11 should be closely followed and that we supply with the chassis or as an extra the supporting irons for these, the valance and the running boards. By our supplying these in pressed steel they will be cheaper, lighter and better than the usual ones clumsily forged out of soft steel by the Coachbuilders. We have done this for years in step irons and we now should extend it to splashers and head lamp supports. There may be difficulties in the way but they must be bowled over; bearing in mind that we are chiefly concerned in the owner getting the best possible complete car at the lowest possible cost. Mr. Hives has pointed out that the rear splashers as dimensioned on 4-Goshawk-11 do not leave enough room for chains. EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Ds. remarks that the rear splashers might need to vary with the body does not seem correct. The splashers should clear the wheels, i.e., be of such size as is necessary for clearance in all cases and in no case more so. I agree for etheric and novelty, such may be the case, but at the moment we are trying to get standard perfect and inexpensive construction, and are not concerne in the daily change for novelty, but the yearly changes for progressive improvement. Steering. We cannot see any real way of making this very light and easy steering less susceptible to road shocks than by making the steering box less reversible, i.e., lower the efficency backwards to say 25%, bearing this also in mind with the Peregrine Report 15.4.22. Easter Sunday. Messrs. Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} started this morning for Brittany with 6-Goshawk-11 leaving 4-Goshawk-11 here with Bullamore Steering. Yesterday we were out with 6-Goshawk-11 chiefly to test the steering with plain thrust (practically irreversible) - no road shock could be felt, but the steering was not quite so nice to handle, therefore, we are divided in our opinion, Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} thinking we might get something between. I think we shall like our steering to be more irreversible than in the past, possibly owing to difference in tyres and road. I am also of the opinion contd:- | ||