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).
Comparing the durability of steel versus aluminium wings during 10,000-mile road tests.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179\2\ img259 | |
| Date | 18th February 1932 | |
| To Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} From Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} Ha/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}1/MJ.18.2.32. X155. STEEL AND ALUMINIUM WINGS. Re. your memo Da{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M12.2.32. We have continually reported during our 10,000 miles tests in France (see daily and final reports) of the front wings cracking and breaking up. We therefore cannot agree with you on the subject. The trouble with the wing stay was an entirely different matter and has been cleared up by the attention to same. Messrs. Park Wards were informed of the trouble after the first set of wings had failed whilst they were attending to various parts of the bodywork at Cricklewood. We have never completed a 10,000 miles test with aluminium front wings without having had to patch them up. On 25-EX. both front wings cracked and broke away from the running boards, they are still on the car patched up. 18-G4., during last year, broke away from the running boards and cracked across on the O.S. where it is cut away for steering. The stone guards continually pulled through the bolt heads and fell on to the tyres. A new set was made for the last 10,000 miles test with the same result. They were in such a condition that patching up the O.S. wing was hopeless. The stone guards fell off and were left off. 19-G4 with steel wings fitted, went through the 10,000 miles test without any sign of cracking and they needed no alteration during the mileage. They certainly had a spring connection between the running board and the wings. No rust was observable during the test, since then however they have become slightly damaged and rust has appeared. We agree that if the material was increased to 14 gauge there would be less likelihood of the wings giving trouble. It is not intended to fit all the Experimental Cars with steel wings, but only those for 10,000 miles test. We think if you could pay Derby a visit and see the wings, you would agree that there is plenty of room for improvement. Ha/G.W.Hancock. | ||