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).
Eagle VIII engine failures, the need to ascertain component life, and clarifying departmental responsibility for investigations.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\1\ Scan113 | |
| Date | 15th January 1926 | |
| Rg.{Mr Rowledge} Copy to R.{Sir Henry Royce}(At Le-Osnadel) By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} 44123 CJL/W15.1.26 DERBY. The Konisberg-Moscow Service has been a great advertisement for the "Eagle" VIII, except that three connecting rods have broken. Both the Air Ministry and the Konisberg-Moscow people have asked what is the life of "Eagle" VIII connecting rods. It appears that R.R. do not know. It is felt that R.R. should know, so as to advise users after what distance connecting rods should be changed. It is not known up to what distance the crankshaft might last. It is important that we should have knowledge on these points, seeing that all new designing is based on our experience with existing engines. We should get same tests on "Falcon" III. If you see no objection, try to get back from the Konisberg-Moscow people an "Eagle" VIII which has done a long distance without change of parts, so that it may be run here, in order to ascertain the life of parts. We have no knowledge beyond 700 hours. We will give the Konisberg people another engine in exchange. The erosion of valves cost the Konisberg 12/- per flying hour. Is this being investigated? This erosion affects "Eagle", "Falcon" and "Condor". Is this investigation on the urgent list? How long did the solution of the bearing trouble on the "Condor" take? It may be that when failures occur of or anxiety is felt about a part, there is not a clear understanding whose job it is to tackle the point. It would seem best that the Design Department should be responsible, unless they can prove to the satisfaction of the Production Engineer's Department that they should assume the responsibility. Further, there should be a Conference held every month of Rg.{Mr Rowledge}, By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}, and Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} to consider and record and inform London what are the points of anxiety in connection with aero engines, which still require attention, what is being done, and who is responsible in each case. CJ. | ||