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).
Braking issues on the Phantom III and proposing new brake development for the Wraith and 25/30 HP chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 7\7\ X 606 Brakes-page001 | |
| Date | 19th December 1935 | |
| To E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} 606 *1044 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}9/EW.19.12.35. Wraith Brakes. When the Phantom III was brought out, an entirely new braking system was devised. Due to shortage of time and care the result is that troubles inevitable with anything completely new have not been cured as yet, and the first 13 production cars will have brakes which will not stop them in cases of emergency. We have not built a Phantom III so far that can be driven hard from Derby to Shardlow under unfavourable traffic conditions and be able to stop with the rear wheels locked at the end of the straight. We do not want to have a repetition of this state of affairs on the Wraith. We understand that there is a possibility of using only one set of shoes in the rear brakes, and that these shoes will be steel shoes. This combination will give rise to new problems. Our latest experiments point to the advisability of using wider shoes, thinner linings with zinc bonding, weaker shoes and stronger drums, see Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}17/EW.21.11.35. We think it would be an excellent idea to start now and make a set of brakes on these lines to be used on a 25/30 HP. chassis. If you would prepare and instruct such a scheme, we feel sure the experience gained with it would be most valuable. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/A.F.Martindale. | ||