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 failure rate and complaints regarding modified Lucas Mellotone horns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 131\4\ scan0146 | |
| Date | 12th April 1937 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} 113 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}5/R.12.4.37. LUCAS MELLOTONE HORNS. The following are the particulars I obtained from Cricklewood with regard to the Lucas horns:- (1) 87 pairs of the modified horns have been fitted at Cricklewood to P.III and 25/30. (2) There have been 27 complaints of intermittent or total failure of the modified horns since fitted. (3) There have been 17 complaints of modified horns fitted elsewhere, dealt with by Cricklewood. (4) Total complaints 44. (5) Approx. total Phantoms in service 176. (6) " " 25/30 in service with these horns 361. Total number of cars 537 with Mellotone horns. Percentage of failure 8.2%. The modified horns have been in use approx. 12 weeks. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux} | ||