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).
Axle tube failure on Bentley Chassis B.152-AH, owned by the Prince of Siam, and the subsequent design changes.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\4\ scan0056 | |
| Date | 16th August 1935 | |
| Hd.{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy} c. Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} c. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} c. Er. c. Dr. X202 BY/Cgh.{W Clough}6/G.16.8.35. BENTLEY CHASSIS B.152-AH, PRINCE OF SIAM. With reference to Hd{Mr Hayward/Mr Huddy}/SB.{Mr Bull/Mr Bannister}14/HR.14.8.35. immediately after the failure of the previous axle tube we made arrangements for the radius behind the large flange to be increased from .100 to .250", and after making enquiries we are informed by the Works that they will commence fitting axle tubes with the larger radius on production within the next few days. We have not experienced similar failures on our cars in this country, and the two failures we have now had have both occurred on cars used on the Continent. The above chassis has run approximately 25,000 miles, and from the information available it would appear that the previous car had done 20,000 miles or more at the time when the failure occurred. The Laboratory report that the material, heat treatment etc. are quite in order, and it is considered that the cause of the failure is undoubtedly due to the small radius behind the flange, and that the axle tubes are not strong enough at this point and will not have a long life when used for high speed work on the Continental roads, therefore it would seem advisable to replace the axle tubes on all cars delivered on the Continent, but no doubt Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} will give a decision on this point. BY/Cgh.{W Clough} | ||