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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).
Secret report detailing the general position and requirements for a projected tank's transmission and steering system.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 144\4\  scan0183
Date  10th December 1940
  
Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}

c. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}
c. Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Tln.

Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer}1/RH.{R. Hollingworth}10.12.40.

SECRET.

GENERAL POSITION OF PROJECTED
TANK TRANSMISSION & STEERING.

This report does not discuss the question of engine size or type for the projected tank power plant, but assumes that the engine output will be not less than 450 h.p. at 2100 r.p.m., and that the tank will be of the high speed cruiser type, weighing 19 tons and similar to the existing Mark VI., now being made by Mechanisation and Aero Ltd.,

The main requirements of cruiser tanks affecting transmission and steering designs are :-

1. Maximum performance on all types of ground.

2. Minimum space occupied by power plant in order to allow the maximum amount of ammunition to be carried.

3. Minimum weight and cost. These two requirements are grouped together, as in general, one is proportional to the other when the same basic materials are used.

When comparing our project with existing designs of cruiser tank power plant it should be remembered that although two types of cruiser tank are in production, the "customer experience" with these is extremely limited. The greatest mileage yet completed on a Mark V (designed by L.M.S.) is about 800. Mark VI is in a similar position.

The Tank Board ask for 2,000 miles between overhauls. Under these conditions tank power plant design is largely original and must be based on experience with the most similar type of work available, modified to suit the anticipated methods of operation.

We deal below with the main transmission and steering separately.

Main Transmission:

A tank differs from cars or commercial vehicles
  
  


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