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).
Extensive damage caused by a fan failure on chassis B.116.HL belonging to Mr. Hauvette.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 86\5\ scan0033 | |
| Date | 2nd April 1935 | |
| Rolls Royce Ltd. Derby..............By. o.{Mr Oldham} to HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} o.{Mr Oldham} to Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} re: Chassis B.116.HL Mr. Hauvette. --------------------------------------- While this customer was travelling at high speed between Paris and Clermont-Ferrand, the fan failed causing rather extensive damage to the following parts: 1). Matrix of radiator damaged beyond repair. 2). o/s top panel of bonnet cut or slit for a distance of about 4 1/2" by broken fan blade. (We have had the panel repaired by welding). 3). Part of fan pulley flange cracked. 4). Aluminium fan bracket broken in half. Mr. Hauvette's version of the accident is that he feels sure that one of the blades failed, this caused unbalancing of the fan (which was running at a very high speed), with a result that the aluminium bracket or support failed. Mr. Hauvette informed us that as soon as the flying blade struck the bonnet, he immediately pulled up, but not in time to have prevented further damage. We are ourselves inclined to accept the customer's version as to the cause of the trouble. It is very regrettable that the above should have happened because Mr. Hauvette is a very influential man being connected with the Michelin Cº. , he is naturally very upset about it. We had to collect the car at a distance of about 150 Kms. from Paris, luckily we had a spare fan complete, plus a radiator which we loaned from a car which is under repairs. Will Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} please note that we ordered a new radiator last Wednesday, but up to the time of writing, we have not received it. We now urgently need the new radiator. Please let us know if you wish us to send the damaged fan and bracket to you for examination. We should mention that we fitted 5/16" studs to the fan bracket several weeks ago. VA. / VA | ||