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).
Criticism of the recommended brake scheme for the Wraith model, specifically the use of aluminium brake drums.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 120\1\ scan0144 | |
Date | 3rd April 1936 | |
KILOKK 1028 To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to Ds. c. to Hdy.{William Hardy} c. to EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}22/KW.3.4.36. Aluminium Brake Drums - Wraith. A criticism that has been made of our recommended brake scheme for Wraith, using aluminium brake drums and one set of shoes only in the rear drums, is that a rubbing hand brake might cause the drums to disintegrate. We have already pointed out that if this would scrap our aluminium drums, standard brake gear would also be scrapped (Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}10/JH.27.3.36); but we now say that with any aluminium drums, but especially with the suggested Wraith scheme, a "racing type" hand brake would be an advantage, for not only is it more difficult inadvertently to leave the hand brake partially on, but if only one set of shoes are used the first foot brake application is bound to release it completely. By a "racing type" hand brake we mean an ordinary hand brake fitted with our usual release button, which has however to be depressed to engage the pawl in the ratchet, and is spring loaded to disengage. The best shape of the ratchet tooth could probably be determined by examination of an M.G., Aston Martin or Lagonda - a slight undercut may be desirable. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/A.F. Martindale. | ||