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 optimal placement of the carburettor to mitigate fire risk, referencing the 40/50, Goshawk I, and Hawk Northcliffe engines.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 75\2\ scan0289 | |
| Date | 16th October 1922 guessed | |
| contd:- -2- We believe the best place for the carburetter is on the exhaust side of the engine. From our experience there is infinitely more risk from fire in having the carburetter on the same side as the electrical units than there is in having the carburetter on the same side as the exhaust. There have been several cases of fire on the 40/50 caused by a low tension wire on the steering column switch either being taken off or breaking away and shorting against the crankcase under the carburetter and causing fire. We do not consider there will be any unsurmountable difficulties to get the carburetter on the exhaust side of the engine to work as well as any other previous arrangements we have had. We have just seen the scheme sent through from W.W. for Goshawk 1. engine. We believe that promises to be the best scheme we have had. We suggest that we fit a similar scheme to the Hawk Northcliffe - the present arrangement on this engine is not very good. Hm.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs} | ||