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 issues with an order of 19 armoured cars for the India Office and subsequent discussions on modifications.
| Identifier | Morton\M5\ img047 | |
| Date | 28th August 1921 | |
| 041 To C.J. from B.J.) Copies to H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints}) D.G.) BJ17/H28.8.21. -S- INDIA OFFICE. B.J. and B.A. attended at the India Office on Friday last, the 19th, and met Mr. Best of the Contracts Branch, Colonel Robinson, head of the Mechanical Transport Section of the Indian Government, and Major Lowin, his first assistant. The position is as follows:- 1. On 11th February 1921 the India Office ordered 19 armoured cars from us and said that they must be subject to "a satisfactory test" on completion. We knew that armoured cars had been running satisfactorily in India and we were under the impression that they knew what they were purchasing. 2. When the chassis were nearing completion, the India Office sent us a specification of the test that they would be put through. We are under the impression that the reason for this test arose because Colonel Robinson arrived from India after the order had been placed with us, and he had come to the conclusion that the armoured cars which had been used out there did not meet all their requirements, and if they were not improved, the Indian Government might have to take up small caterpillars in the future instead of armoured cars. They therefore instituted these very trying tests. 3. When some of the cars were ready, the India Office discussed with us in regard to tyres and wheels to be used and asked us to take a car to Salisbury to test these. There was no suggestion before we started that it was an acceptance test to the chassis. 4. Some of the India Office officials were on board the car when it was being driven to Salisbury and they noticed that the water boiled in the radiator on one of the hills. 5. At Salisbury the car was tested over deep loose sand, on hills, and doing figures of eight in loose sand. During these tests the water again boiled. The officials then came to the conclusion that the cars would run better with lower-geared back axles, and asked us if we could design and make one. We replied, 'yes'. over | ||