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).
Letter discussing the use of alternative fuels like alcohol and methanol in aero engines versus standard, widely available fuels for motorcars.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27a\4\ Scan296 | |
| Date | 23th March 1934 | |
| Expl. Dept. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}S/MJ. 23rd. March, 1934. James H.{Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} Wallace, Esq., Adelphi Terrace House, 2, Robert Street, Adelphi, LONDON.W.C.2. Dear Sir, Replying to your letter of the 20th.inst. It is our practice to only recommend the use of fuels which are widely distributed. For the average motorcar owner it is essential that he must be able to pick up fuel anywhere along the road. We have done a considerable amount of work with Alcohol and Methanol for aero engines. The fuel which we used on the 1931 Schneider engines contained no petrol at all. Except, however, for special events the Air Ministry insist that we use Standard fuel. You will realise that on experimental and development work we are always crowded out with problems and cannot afford to take on any additional work unless it is likely to be of some value to us. If you could supply us with more technical details of the fuel such as the Octane Number, distillation range, and specific gravity, we would be prepared to give you our views upon it but at the same time we cannot undertake to carry out any tests. Yours faithfully, For Rolls-Royce Ltd. | ||