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).
Rejecting a suggestion to make a gearbox casting in iron due to the significant weight increase compared to aluminium.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 112\2\ scan0049 | |
| Date | 16th May 1938 | |
| To RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} c. By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. Da.{Bernard Day - Chassis Design} c. Hay. 828 also 42r. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls}1/HH.16.5.38. SMALL GEARBOX B.III & B.50. With regard to your query about making the casting for this gearbox in iron to provide work in the iron foundry, we cannot agree to this suggestion. The casting in aluminium weighs 21 lbs. at a general thickness (measured) of .225. If made in iron .187 thick it would weight 30 lbs. more. Such an increase would morethan negative what weight reduction we have achieved. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Gry.{Shadwell Grylls} | ||