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 results of a Civil Type Test on a Kestrel engine, noting a blower failure and carburettor icing issues.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 179b\2\ img218 | |
| Date | 20th December 1932 | |
| ORIGINAL. To R.{Sir Henry Royce} From Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. to Se. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Rg.{Mr Rowledge} c. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c. to By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} c. to EF. c. to Lp.{Mr Lappin} Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}3/MJ.20.12.32. V-965 CIVIL TYPE TEST KESTREL ENGINE 600 HP. RATING. AT 11,000 FT. We have been running one of our own engines for the purpose of completing a Civil Type Test increasing the rating from 480 to 600 HP. at 11,000 Ft. The normal revs. were increased from 2250 to 2500 and the normal boost from -½ lb. to plus 1½ lbs. The engine is a standard 1932 fully supercharged Kestrel engine fitted with Goshawk 1 blower. The engine completed the preliminary power curve, consumption curves, and also completed the 50 hours endurance. On the final curves the blower failed on the high speed test. The engine will now be dismantled as we shall have to re-run the test. The only trouble we experienced in running the engine was ice forming on the carburetter throttle. This is a fault we have on the present engine on our test benches, but it appears to be slightly worse on this engine. We do not think the freezing is due to any less heating around the throttle but it may possibly be due to the fact that we were running on slightly lighter petrol which vapourises more readily, and it may also be aggravated by the fact that on the Goshawk 1 blowers the throttles are larger diameter and also more efficient. We have an engine flying at Hawkers fitted with one of these blowers and so far there has been no complaint of freezing with tests in the air. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} | ||