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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).
The weighing and tyre troubles experienced during the Nairobi Run of car 34-EX.

Identifier  ExFiles\Box 114\4\  scan0138
Date  22th June 1937
  
1011
96
W/S.
Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/R.22.6.37.
NAIROBI RUN.
Cxl/KW.16.6.37.

The Dunlop Co's representative who watched the weighing of 34-EX in Africa admitted that the methods used were so crude that the results were of little or no value.

The figure of 5,000 lbs for rear axle weight is, of course, ridiculous. With the springs fitted and this load on board the axle would have been hard on the buffers when stationary. Actually there was a measured 2" buffer clearance under these conditions which means the rear axle load was less than 4,500 lbs. We can confirm this as we know the exact weight of the parts fitted to the car at Derby. With two passengers, food, cinema equipment and luggage 700 lbs was added to the car after it left the Works. The Rolls-Royce spares and tools above those normally carried on an R.R. weighed 240 lbs, 130 lbs more than our estimate.

It appears to us that the tyre trouble was mainly due to the pace at which the outward trip was conducted. This is confirmed by the fact that on the return journey, when the car weight was increased by four extra covers, only one burst and one puncture was experienced. The mileage covered was the same as on the outward trip, but the tyres were given an opportunity of cooling down at night.

Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}
  
  


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