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).
Issues with Armoured Cars overheating and boiling, with reference to tests on the Sussex Downs and requirements for the India Office.
| Identifier | Morton\M5\ img021 | |
| Date | 31th August 1921 | |
| X4195 To .. from BJ. Copy to EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} BJ2/CML.9.21. dictated 31.8.21. RE:- ARMOURED CARS. Thank you for R5/G37/8/21. The reason I suggested that it might be advisable for these to run slowly on hills and on sand is, that some years ago I gave an official demonstration of a Car intended for the Colonies and we ran it in Mid-Summer heat up the very precipitous roads leading on to the Sussex Downs. In the morning the car was run at a fair moderate speed to demonstrate that it could climb at a good speed, but on every occasion the Car reached the top it was boiling badly. In the afternoon we ran the same Car with the same load at about four and five miles an hour on the same roads and it arrived at the top with the water at a normal temperature. I quite appreciate that the same result might not hold good with a Rolls-Royce. We have had some considerable complaints in regard to our Post-War Cars boiling badly on hills and mountains and the Works have been experimenting with fans of different gears and, I believe, are obtaining more satisfactory results. Mr. has this matter in hand and will, doubtless, be able to give you his opinion. The India Office are particularly anxious to have Armoured Cars which will run with the minimum of boiling under severe conditions, especially as in the Indian heat the Cars boil very readily. BJ. | ||