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).
Clarifying the production status and plans for floating and semi-floating axles for Bentley III and Bentley 50 models.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 98\1\ scan0123 | |
| Date | 10th June 1938 | |
| 4015 402. To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} from HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr}1/VS.{J. Vickers}10.6.38. Re: FLOATING AND SEMI-FLOATING AXLES. ? Referring to your memo Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}1/MH.{M. Huckerby}9.6.38., we should like you to clearly understand that we have produced three sets of brake gears of the wide type to suit the Bentley III rear axle, and we can safely say that all these parts are more or less ready for fitting. In the case of the hubs, they are right up to the serrating stage, and we have produced them from the solid. There are also six sets of end plates on order, with tools committed, and you will therefore realise that there will be a scrap bill if we are stopped at this stage. Referring to BY.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}'s note on the Bentley III and Bentley 50 programme, dated 8.4.38., it was agreed that the first Bentley 50 would be fitted with the fully floating type of axle, which would then be transferred to the second Bentley III chassis immediately the semi-floating axle was available for Bentley 50. At no time has it been definitely laid down that the Bentley III type axle, fully floating, has been stopped, and we are only proceeding with three of the semi-floating type which we are aiming to complete in about a month's time. Will you kindly arrange to discuss this with me. HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} 9/2 | ||