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).
Testing, modifications, and staffing for the 7-Goshawk-11 car in Paris.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan335 | |
| Date | 16th June 1922 | |
| X4086 HY.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} Grenoble. Paris Depot. from Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}4/LG16.6.22. 6/7-GOSHAWK-11. CJ. wishes for one man to stay in Paris so that he [you] can run 7-Goshawk-11 at times when they cannot arrange for it to be driven by Amateurs. This means, of course, that the car will always be kept running, but our man will always have to be in touch with Paris and ourselves at Derby so that the car can be called upon whenever it is required. The only remarks we have heard from CJ. are - that the front springs bumped on the car badly and that the battery fell out of the car. The battery on 7-Goshawk-11 is a P & R which is an odd size and which has been condemned. We are arranging to send another Goshawk Battery and Battery Box to Paris so that it can be fitted on to that car, and the P & R.{Sir Henry Royce} should be put on one-side. We should like the special springs which we have [sent] to be fitted to 7-Goshawk-11 as soon as possible. The car should be tried over a certain run on which the springs will bump and then the new springs should be fitted and tried over the same roads under the same conditions. We have fitted a pair of these new springs to the Bump Rig and there appears to be much less movement on the axle and we think it is probable we shall find these new springs are a definite improvement, both as regards preventing bumping and making the car more steady in front, and overcoming the breakage. The other important item we require information on, is whether the brakes have remained quiet on 7-Goshawk-11. Another point is, how the R.W. wheels are behaving? In my wire sent today, I have suggested you left Maddocks at Paris because I assume that he is the least fed-up of the party, including yourself (?). We could do with Maddocks back at the Works but as only one man has to stay with the car, it may be better for him to stay out there. If we find the car is being kept running by Amateurs, which would leave Maddocks very little to do, we will arrange for somebody from the Test Dept. to relieve him. You, therefore, might impress Maddocks that the most important points to watch on 7-Goshawk-11 are - (1) Comparison of front springs. (2) Behaviour of R-W Wheels. (3) Behaviour of brakes for silence. (4) Any useful information he can obtain as regards the water boiling trouble. (HS{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}). | ||