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).
Modifications and standardisation issues for the Wraith model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 108\2\ scan0122 | |
| Date | 12th August 1938 | |
| 600 By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} from Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}4/R.12.8.38. Modifications to Wraith. We recommend that from now onwards no modifications should be made to Wraith either with regard to material or design alterations without the usual standardisation sheet. We believe that recently there has been a tendency to alter things on production that have not been adequately tested. We do not claim that we are free from blame in this respect. We have agreed to increased inertia camwheel going on all Wraiths, though we have never ran one of the type which it is proposed to fit experimentally. However, we are issuing a standardisation sheet, and on further consideration believe that fitting this part should be made conditional upon it having completed an endurance run on the test bed. It should be remembered that Mx{John H Maddocks - Chief Proving Officer}'s car has completed 10,000 miles without a timing gear rattle developing, and it is not fitted with the more flexible dynamo drive which we know improves matters. With reference to the flat face tappet and shortened push rod referred to in RHC.{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}1/MC.9.8.38, we do not think we ought to talk about the standardisation of this yet as we have never run any of the pieces mentioned in the Experimental Dept. and the trouble which they are being produced to overcome is only a very minor one. We have already run into trouble due to the material specification being different to that on the drawing, and this is brought to our notice in RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/JWW.3/HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}2.8.38. We think an investigation should be made to see how this came about in order that we may avoid it being repeated. We are sure that if in our enthusiasm to make progress or save cost we short-circuit standardisation sheets and depot sheets we are liable to get into very serious trouble. Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} | ||