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).
Complaints and suggested improvements for the Phantom III bonnets.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\6\ scan0279 | |
| Date | 31th December 1936 | |
| 305 Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. C. to E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std17/R.31.12.36. COMPLAINTS re P.III BONNETS. As far as we are aware, there are three main sources of complaint on P.III bonnets, as followw:- (1) BONNET KNOCKS. According to GWH.{George W. Hancock - Head Chateauroux}, who has investigated this matter at Cricklewood, these are due to the Ferodo rest strip being of insufficient size and resilience. (2) DEPRESSIONS FORMING IN THE TOP PLATE AROUND THE PLATED HEADS OF THE BOLTS WHICH SECURE THE SUPPORT SCISSORS TO THE TOP PLATE. This is due to the large load which is thrown locally on the aluminium sheet supporting these bolt heads. (3) BONNET NOT MATCHING UP EXACTLY WITH SCUTTLE. i.e., a vertical gap is visible from driver's seat, due to, (a) shape of bonnet differing from that of scuttle. (b) sinking of the body supports. As regards the first two points, our suggestions for improvement are:- (1) Fit a wider and more resilient rest strip - this will be fitted to 35-EX for its 15,000 miles test in France. (2) Either stiffen the metal locally under the bolt heads by rivetting a strengthening plate to the top plate at these points (this is difficult as the metal is thin - .104" - and curved), or adopt a support scheme on the lines of that shown on attached sketch Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}286. The last point was raised at the recent coach-work Conference - see memo E.1/HP.7.11.36., and it was agreed that the bonnet on the P.III could be mounted off the scuttle - we think that this would be a big improvement; however, as far as we know, nothing has been done about this matter. We should like a design scheme incorporating the suggestions mentioned above, together with the mounting of the bonnet off the scuttle. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std. | ||