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).
Secret memorandum outlining the reasons for not using the Scintilla magneto on the RAC.2 model.
Identifier | ExFiles\Box 4\5\ 05-page295 | |
Date | 24th July 1924 | |
X8790 EFC. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R.{Sir Henry Royce} c. CJ. BJ. SECRET RR/M24.7.24. E.A.C. RE MAGNETOS. X.4187. X.8790. X.430. For the following reasons we have decided that the Scintilla magneto had better not be used on RAC.2 because:- (1) It is a foreign machine. (2) In case of the battery being out of service, and hence the starter not working, this particular magneto is bad for starting in the usual retarded position, and therefore as a standby magneto the sleeve magneto is vastly superior. (3) This magneto cannot be conveniently fitted to the engine without altering the crankchamber arm. (4) There are other minor reasons why we think it will be advisable to continue with the more ordinary type of magneto. In order to meet the requirements of an automatic advance we are proposing to push forward our own automatic advance of the control and the oil servo. Should however this not be ready for immediate use we suggest that complete hand control of both ignitions should be used. It would then be necessary on the sports model to use the hand control, as was the practice for so many years on the 40/50. It will be remembered that for double ignition we did not propose to use a double battery and a standby magneto, because firstly it involved so much complication, and secondly it used so much battery current. It will therefore be understood that we do not propose to alter the crankchamber, but leave it as at present arranged, with the inclined base for the Watford magneto. R.{Sir Henry Royce} | ||