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).
Sparking plug tests with manufacturers Lodge and K.L.G., and proposing the testing scheme to the Air Board.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 34\2\ Scan108 | |
| Date | 30th May 1918 | |
| To R.{Sir Henry Royce} from EH. c. to CJ. X. 2514 EH2/LG30.5.18. X.601 X.1918. X.2514 - RE SPARKING PLUG TESTS+ We have had Mr. Lodge the maker of Lodge Sparking Plugs and Mr. Lee Guiness the maker of K.L.G. Plugs at the Works. We have been able to show them the defects in their sparking plugs when working in our engines by means of the observation tests. They were both very enthusiastic over the tests we have arranged. Mr. Lee Guiness wanted to buy the test engine as it stood. In a letter he says:- "I am writing to thank you for having given me the opportunity of seeing the very interesting tests on Sparking Plugs which you are now able to make. This method of testing is very instructive and should enable us to decide on the right plug for your engines". We believe that the R.A.F. have for some time been trying to get out a scheme for testing plugs. At present they have special single engines in which they run plugs until they fail. This does not compare in any way with our scheme of being able to detect and watch the plug whilst the engine is running. Capt. Briggs saw the test and asked if he could recommend the scheme to the Air Board as a means of testing plugs. We suggest that in national interests we ought to agree to this, there is no doubt that other people will in time rig up similar tests so that Rolls-Royce might as well get the credit for originating it. As regards tests on our own plugs- we are in Contd. | ||