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).
Evaluation of different diameter drive cables, concluding with a recommendation to use the older, more reliable type.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 165\2\ img259 | |
| Date | 6th September 1940 | |
| Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} - 2 - Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs}1/ML.6.9.40. At the moment it is questionable whether the present standard cable of 0.170 ins. diameter can be made sufficiently torsionally rigid and lasting enough, to merit it's retention on production in place of the old type cable of 0.237 ins. diameter. The Makers consider that they can make the smaller drives do the job and have supplied us with specially made up drives of the unpolished, asbestos-lined type, labelled A.T.F.14. These were found to be an improvement, but not free from oscillation, particularly in the region of 10 and 40 m.p.h. This result was confirmed on 11.B.V when it was reported to be much better than the original drive fitted, but still not as good as an old type large diameter drive. The new A.T.F.14. drive has now been fitted to 10.B.V; 1-R-1; 3.B.50. We will also fit one to 9.B.V. We feel that the Makers have been given every opportunity to prove the worth of the smaller drive, and if these specially made drives are not good enough, we can only recommend going back to the more costly but more reliable old type large drive. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/RC.{R. Childs} | ||