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).
Letter discussing the diameter of centrifugal superchargers and preferences for aircraft engine development.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 147\3\ scan0192 | |
| Date | 10th January 1939 | |
| 1247 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}5/R.{Sir Henry Royce} 10th January, 1939. P. Rowland, Esq., 5, Western Drive, Grassendale, LIVERPOOL, 19. Dear Rowland, Many thanks for your letter. The diameter of our centrifugal superchargers suitable for restored ground power @ 10,000 ft., which is more or less the requirement for a military aircraft, is rather more than 3 ft. across the volute. You will, therefore, appreciate that it is not the gearing that takes up the room but the supercharger itself. We do not say that the flat engine may not ultimately develop for some purpose, but that at the present moment we prefer the Exe or the 60° V cylinder arrangement. It is impossible to be dogmatic on the subject because changed conditions may produce a different type of aircraft. Yours sincerely, | ||