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).
Test specifications and contract strategy with the India Office regarding new axles to prevent engine boiling.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 180\M5\ img028 | |
| Date | 23th August 1921 | |
| 50 -3- BJ17/H23.8.21. I.R.O. SERVICE 41 of the test which they wish the cars to pass, showing the gradients of hills, condition of ground, the distance to be run over sand, the consistency or depth of the sand, the number of times a figure of eight was to be completed, and the minimum speed. This specification they will prepare and send to us for consideration, and ask us whether we are prepared to design and make the new axles, and guarantee that they will enable the cars to conform to this test. If we agree, they will pass £30,000 on account, but it still leaves them in the position of having included the new axles, and the tests, as part of the original contract, although they would pay extra for the new axles. This would therefore enable them to cancel the contract for the whole 19 chassis if they are unable to carry out the test with the new axles. When this specification is ready, will Mr. Day kindly let me know whether he considers that the present type of car and present axle would be able to complete the test without boiling, at the minimum speed specified. The India Office officials mentioned that our car boiled worst when it was running fast over the smoothest part of the track. It might be a safeguard to us if we could pass the test with the car as it stands now, without boiling. If we ran the whole test at the minimum speed and had a good long wait between each portion of the test so as to allow the engine to cool down; or if we filled it with cool water between each part of a test, we might be able to carry out the test without boiling. My reason for suggesting this is merely as a safeguard, as the India Office could not then contend that the cars as originally subjected to the test were unsatisfactory, and they would have to pay for them, even if our new axle eventually proved unsatisfactory. The chief point for us to decide is (a) whether we are so confident that the new axle will enable us to carry out the tests that we are prepared to guarantee it will do so, and thus risk losing the order for the 19 cars and the work we have done on them if we fail, or (b) whether it is better for us to contend legally that they must pay us for the chassis as originally delivered, as the test they were submitted to was unreasonable, and offer to make CTN | ||