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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).
Statistical report on Merlin IV and X engines returned for service, detailing damage causes and failure types for March-May 1940.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 115\2\  scan0581
Date  1st June 1940
  
To: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
From: Lr{Mr Ellor}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}

RIGHT PAGE:
MERLIN IV AND X ENGINES RETURNED FOR SERVICE
237 ENGINES.
MAR. APRIL. MAY. 1940.

CHART: ENGINES DAMAGED DUE TO
CAUSES:
PILOTS ERROR
UNDERCARRIAGE FAILURE
GROUND COLLISIONS

AIRCRAFT (TOTAL CRASHES 144 OUT OF 237):
HURRICANE: 55 ENGs. (Pilots Error: 47, Undercarriage Failure: 31, Ground Collisions: 3 ENGs)
BATTLE: 43
SPITFIRE: 64
HENLEY: 29 (13)
DEFIANT: 2 (NONE)
WHITLEY: 23 (9)
HALIFAX: 1 (NONE)

LEFT PAGE:
CHART: ENGINE FAILURES
FAILURE TYPES (Number of failures):
- CRANKSHAFT FRACTURE - DUE TO CENTRE MAIN BEARING FAILURE. AVER. HRS 120. (2)
- CON. ROD - TOTAL FAILURE. AVER. HRS 104. (15)
- SUPERCHARGER - ROTOR BURST. AVER. HRS 32. (5)
- GENERATOR - SEIZED. AVER. HRS 180. (5)
- PISTON - FAILURE DUE TO PRE-IGNITION. AVER. HRS 35. (5)
- MAIN BEARING - FAILURE. AVER. HRS 80. (3)
- DOVETAIL PEG SHEARED - CRANKSHAFT DRIVE TO WHEELCASE CRUISING PARTIAL FAILURE N.7 BEARING. AVER. HRS 178. (2)
- LOCKPLATE FAILURE OF CAMSHAFT BEVEL DRIVING GEAR. AVER. HRS 141. (15)
- OIL PUMP DRIVING QUILL - BREAKAGE. AVER. HRS 178. (5)

CHART: ENGINE FAILURES CONTINUED
- COOLANT LEAKAGE OF CAMSHAFT COVER JOINT. AVER. HRS 180. (10)

PAGE NUMBER: 2
  
  


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