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).
Faulty Phantom 111 Oil Cooler casting due to the use of low-grade, non-specified material.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 131\5\ scan0095 | |
| Date | 2nd August 1938 | |
| 1114 . STD Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} [Struck through: CDY] [Struck through: RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}] RHC{R. H. Coverley - Production Engineer}/JWW.3/HM.{Capt. W. Hallam - Head Repairs}2.8.38. [Handwritten: hoten Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} / (STD)] Faulty Phantom 111 Oil Cooler. Casting E85026. ------------------------- We are in receipt of your communication Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Std.4/MH.{M. Huckerby} 21.7.38., together with sample casting and Laboratory Report. We are quite aware that in the past a lot of castings have been purchased from Sub-contract suppliers to no definite specification, and these items have been supplied in what is known as Z3 or 732 Alloy, which is the lowest grade of re-claimed material, and is not subject to any tests for mechanical and physical properties. We are definitely against the use of this material for any parts other than Packing Pieces, which are enclosed in the frame members, and since the inauguration of this Department no castings have been supplied in this material. It was definitely a bad move to introduce this material, and we would suggest that wherever possible cars should have these pieces, such as Oil Coolers, etc., replaced by castings made in the proper material, either ACM which is RR50 specification or L11 which is 8% Copper. [Signature: AM Keeler] | ||