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).
Test results and design considerations for axles and wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 114\1\ scan0177 | |
| Date | 13th March 1939 | |
| Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Br.1/13.3.39. miles on the continent on one set of pieces as we can change the axle from car to car. Rig test comparing our half shafts with Cadillac etc, shew that if they have any margin of safety we should run for ever. With regard to the possibility of scrapping material, the actual saving in cost due to the pressed steel wheels and hubs is no less than £8 per car. We cannot imagine any failure that would scrap this quanity of material. If we revert to the fully floater, we certainly recommend that we should run it 15,000 miles to test out the modified hubs. If we have to do this we shall certainly loose this mileage on the steel wheel etc. The argument with regard to reverting to steel wheels after giving the customer wire wheels on B5 is quite a serious one. We can see sales insisting that we continue with the fully floater on B5 and use the semi-floater on B50, a highly undesirable situation. Summarising the position. 1. The behaviour of the semi-floater on test has confirmed none of the fears as to its unreliability. This is not surprising as we played safe on design. 2. We have a unique opportunity to continue to prove its reliability. 3. The wheels, the most doubtful feature, do not have to be ordered until July. 4. If we have to scrap material we can do so up to £8 and | ||