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).
Decision to fit Lockheed hydraulic brakes to the Phantom III model.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 92\4\ scan0296 | |
| Date | 2nd February 1937 | |
| To HPS.{Horace Percy Smith - Experimental Factory Mgr} from Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} 306 Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale}4/AP.2.2.37. HYDRAULIC BRAKES FOR PHANTOM III. Owing to the great difficulty of designing mechanically operated brakes into the front of an independently sprung car, and the increase of complexity which always occurs when the mechanical operation is retained when independent springing is introduced, we have decided to fit up a Phantom III. with Lockheed brakes to see how reliable they are. We have of course made certain that a single hydraulic failure will not unduly disturb the driver. With a hydraulic system the law requires that a mechanically operated parking brake is fitted. Our intention is therefore to use this compulsory set of rods for the foot brake as well as the hand brake, as is done on Continental Phantom III, as this gives us a better safety factor, but as we have no more Continental Phantom III. pieces, we will have to leave the hand brake as it is now and make the servo transmit hydraulically its assistance to front and rear brakes. Even this effects a reduction in complexity. We will hand over to you the Lockheed components, some of which are specially made owing to their large size, you have details of the mastercylinder assembly (N.Sch.4955) and we attach hereto drawings to enable you to make the necessary modifications to the brake assemblies. When the parts are ready we will have them fitted to the first convenient car to come into the Shop. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/AFM.{Anthony F. Martindale} | ||