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).
Progress report on the Leyland Tank Project, detailing engine tests and component design.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 144\4\ scan0179 | |
Date | 10th December 1940 | |
S E C R E T To Mr. [REDACTED]. From Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Copy to Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}1/LT.10.12.40. ROLLS-ROYCE LEYLAND TANK PROJECT. ------------------------------- Further to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/ML.16.11.40, we have the following progress to report:- 1. Kestrel engine run on Pool petrol with 220 hours of carbon in the cylinder head, to enable us to get an estimate of what H.P. could be obtained from the Merlin engine without detonation at 2000 R.P.M., normally aspirated. The results shew that we should be able to get 550 H.P., allowing for maximum air intake temperature. The original conservative figure we gave Leylands was 450 H.P. 2. Merlin engine prepared to run on a test bed at Glasgow, naturally aspirated to check reliability on Pool petrol. 3. General layout of five speed synchromesh gearbox suitable for Merlin torque completed. Design details now in hand. 4. Layout of Rolls-Royce track steering in hand. 5. Modifications to bottom half of Merlin to reduce overall height of engine by 6 ins. completed. Also design of low compression pistons and adaptors to fit Kestrel carburettors. 6. Clutch for Merlin. Design investigation completed. 7. Installation layout of Merlin engine and clutch and Rolls-Royce transmission and steering in the Mk.6 tank partially completed We have now done enough test bed running and design investigation to be able to assess what we expect the customer to get out of the project, and this will be dealt with in a separate memo. We have contacted Pilkington of Leylands twice since 16th Nov. He met us at Nuffield Mechanisation (Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}3/ML.22.11.40) and he called at Derby for an hour last Tuesday. So far they have left the design entirely to us. We have two of their men working for us in the Squash Court. | ||