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).
The altitude control setting for Engine No. F.XI.B.27 used in the King's Cup Race.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 174\1\ img006 | |
| Date | 9th July 1929 | |
| X4511 EPB/H9.7.29. re. KING'S CUP RACE. ENGINE NO. F.XI.B.27. With reference to the above and our conversation yesterday - I attach hereto copy of report which has already been issued in regard to this, reference EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}2/H8.7.29. You raised the point yesterday of the altitude control having been found set too weak. I have been into this matter very thoroughly and am informed by our inspector who was stationed at Sherburn-in-Elmet, that when inspecting the engine he found the altitude control lever was about 10° from fully strong position, (the actual control lever in the cockpit was in a corresponding position). Thorough examination of the control levers revealed that they were quite in order, and either the pilot had left the altitude control in this position, or he had accidentally moved this altitude control lever without noticing it, which our man reports is very easily done when getting out of the cockpit. The purpose of this report is to make it quite emphatic that the engine controls were quite satisfactory, which is confirmed by all our inspectors at the various stations, and that the actual position of the altitude control was entirely under the control of the pilot. EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} P.S. Mr. Archer suggested to the pilot before the start of the race that he should wire the altitude control in the full strong position. The pilot requested him, however, not to do so, as he might possibly want to make use of the altitude control during the race. | ||