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 | ||