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 concerning the modification and weight reduction of split skirt pistons.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 148\1\ scan0321 | |
| Date | 1st May 1941 | |
| TELEPHONE: VICTORIA 0671 (6 LINES). CODES: A.{Mr Adams} B. C. 5TH EDITION. ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED TO THE COMPANY. ON ADMIRALTY, WAR OFFICE AND AIR MINISTRY LISTS. THE LIGHT PRODUCTION CO. LTD PROPRIETORS OF THE LONDON PISTON RING CO. LIMITED. ENGINEERS CHAIRMAN & MANAGING DIRECTOR: M.V. ROBERTS. DIRECTORS: E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} J.{Mr Johnson W.M.} G.{Mr Griffiths - Chief Accountant / Mr Gnapp} DAVIES. WM. THIRTLE. TELEGRAMS: INLAND: NAPOLEONIC, SOWEST, LONDON. FOREIGN: NAPOLEONIC, LONDON. 60/66, ROCHESTER ROW, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1 WORKS AND GOODS ADDRESS: 61/67, GREENCOAT PLACE, WESTMINSTER, S.W.1. Please reply to: 68 Liverpool Road, Trading Estate, Slough OUR REF. WPR/BKW. YOUR REF. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/CTS.{C. Trot Salt - Carburation}3/RH.{R. Hollingworth} Handwritten top center: 1256 1st May, 1941. Messrs. Rolls Royce Ltd., Experimental Dept. Nightingale Road, DERBY Dear Sirs, Attention of Mr. C.T.Salt Re: 3.5" diam. Split Skirt Pistons RE.786 We have now practically completed 14 Pistons RE.786 as requested in your letter of Feb. 11th 1941. By modifying the foundry equipment, we have reduced the sectional thicknesses of these Pistons, to correspond with those of the 3.25" diam. Piston RE.785, and the resultant weight of the completely machined Piston is 20 ozs. Handwritten in left margin: 17¼ ozs The original 3.5" Pistons RE.786, were supplied to you, partially machined, we therefore have no knowledge of their final weight, consequently we are unaware of the reduction in weight achieved. You apparently expect the weight of these Pistons, not to exceed 18.25 ozs. and we shall be glad to learn how this figure was arrived at, as we do not see how the present weight of 20 ozs. can be appreciably reduced, without reducing the sectional thicknesses to below those of the 3.25" diam.Piston. We look forward with interest, to receive your comments upon the foregoing. Yours faithfully, FOR THE LIGHT PRODUCTION CO.LTD. W.P. Riley Research Department | ||