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).
Proposing steering improvements for the Goshawk model using radius rods and modified suspension.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 49\4\ Scan292 | |
| Date | 24th July 1922 | |
| To Hs. {Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from R. {Sir Henry Royce} c. to CJ. Wor. {Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} X4264 R2/M24.7.22. STEERING X.4264. I have definitely come to the conclusion that we can very much improve our steering by the use of the radius rods running backwards from the axle approximately the same length, height, and parallel with the longitudinal steering tube. We are sending you tonight an application of such a rod to the Goshawk which we hope you will be able to fit as quickly as ever possible. The reason why I am so confident that it will do us very much good is because it is a case in which the inertia of the road wheels can protect us from ordinary road shocks but which cannot protect us from the shocks created by the errors in the geometry of the standard system of front axle control. We have in most instances as carefully as possible arranged the shocks created by the movement of the axle to be at the minimum with the dimensions at our disposal. We feel sure that the existing shocks will be improved by the use of stiffer front road springs by shock absorbers set to give ample friction, and in the case of the Goshawk with springs of slightly more camber than exists at present on No.4. Goshawk. You will remember that you have in hand also the long-itudinal steering tube with about ¼" clearance on the buffers and set-up buffer springs. The result of this modification we are anxiously awaiting. contd:- | ||