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).
Telegram exchanges and test reports regarding faults with the Goshawk 11 car, including steering levers and gearbox rattle.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 46\2\ Scan117 | |
| Date | 4th April 1922 | |
| Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from EP.{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer} c. to BJ. c. to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} X4086 EP{G. Eric Platford - Chief Quality Engineer}1/LG4.4.22. GOSHAWK 11. X4219 X4086 We have today received telegram from R.{Sir Henry Royce} as follows:- ROYCAR, DERBY,ANGLETERRE. HAVE EXAMINED STEERING LEVERS ALMOST CERTAIN HALDENBY MISTAKEN SPHERES NATURALLY INCLINED INWARDS DO NOT STRENGTHEN LEVERS UNTIL WEAKNESS CONFIRMED TEST ON RIG FOR WEAKEST PART REPLY WHEN SIX GOSHAWK EXPECTED TO CROSS - ROYCE. To which we have replied as follows:- "NOW TESTING SIX GOSHAWK NOT SATISFACTORY PROBABLY NO WORSE THAN OTHERS WISH TO CURE AND MODERNISE BEFORE SENDING BUT COULD SEND IN PRESENT SAFE-RUNNING CONDITION BEFORE END OF WEEK PROVIDING YOUR DECISION GIVEN IMMEDIATELY THIS WILL LEAVE NO MODERN CAR AT WORKS FOR EXPERIMENTING WRITING. PLATFORD". The telegram referring to steering levers has been circulated to all concerned. As regards 6-Goshawk-11. This we hope to receive from the Coachbuilders this week-end and it was our original intention to despatch this car to Hy.{Tom Haldenby - Plant Engineer} about Wednesday or Thursday this week. Since receiving reports on 4/5-Goshawk-11 however, we have considered it advisable that we should we turn this car out with these faults attended to as long as such cures were condoned by R.{Sir Henry Royce} The car at present is in a similar condition to 4-Goshawk-11 or 5-Goshawk-11 as regards its constructional features and generally speaking, its performance during test is as satisfactory as 5-Goshawk-11. It has, however, one prevailing fault which we feel there exists on the other Goshawk cars but not to the same extent. This fault is a rattle which we have traced is set up in the gear box at certain car speeds and would appear to be due to a period of vibration in the drive. The noise is only prevalent when the gear box gets warmed up and the oil is thin. The car is fitted with a 14-tooth axle and 32 x 4½ size tyres and allowing for corrected speedometer the worst period is at 46 M.P.H. and extends for about 3 miles either side of this speed. There is a slight period at 30 M.P.H. - a rather heavy short crisp period at 26 M.P.H and a very slight one at 17.5 M.P.H. - assuming 2000 revs. equals 45.15 M.P.H. this means 2040, 1330, 1150, 775 engine or propeller shaft R.P.M. We are giving this matter investigation. I certainly think this fault exists with all the Goshawks and is most pronounced on this car possibly because the side shaft drive or reverse pinion is a little contd:- | ||