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).
Unsuitability and objections to standardizing Lucas Wind Tone Horns.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 166\9\ img005 | |
| Date | 15th June 1936 | |
| To Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to Cx.{Major Len W. Cox - Advertising Manager} c. to Mx.{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer} x 6066 Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}12/KW.15.6.36. Lucas Wind Tone Horns. The present position with regard to these wind tone horns is somewhat unsatisfactory. They are standardised on the Ph.III but we have not issued Standardisation Sheets for either the 20/25 or the Bentley. We understand from production that a large number of customers are specifying these horns, which leads to special wiring, involving extra cost. With our present knowledge of these horns we ought really not to have standardised them on the Ph.III. Our objections to the horns are as follows :- (a) In all cases where they are being run on experimental cars they behave in an unreliable manner, being highly susceptible to atmospheric conditions. When one horn is out of action, as so often happens, the resultant note is far from agreeable. (b) For Continental work they are entirely ineffective for one of the major purposes for which a horn is used; i.e., for inducing heavy traffic to give way. We have previously established that no matter what volume of noise a horn emits, unless it can penetrate the noise made by the average lorry it will not reach the ears of the driver. We accept that wind tone horns are largely used in America, but we believe we are correct in saying they are invariably fitted under the bonnet. Additionally, in the States the trunk roads are so wide that difficulty in passing traffic as experienced in France does not exist. As far as we can see at present, neither of these faults are likely to be overcome in the immediate future, and therefore we do not see any prospects of being able to issue further Standardisation Sheets. Attached is a copy of a report on a test recently carried out on B-56-BN.{W.O. Bentley / Mr Barrington} Att: GWH{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}/HFR.4/JAB.10.6.36. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||