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).
Design history and specifications for the Senior Range Gearbox.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 136\2\ scan0315 | |
| Date | 21th February 1941 | |
| To Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. from Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} c. to Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/FJH.{Fred J. Hardy - Chief Dev. Engineer} o.{Mr Oldham} to Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/JD.{J. Draper - Frames} c. to Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Tln. Handwritten Note: Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/Woyman To what Specification are these boxes being built that are at [faint SECRET stamp] present being finished? [Signature] Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} Ev{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}/Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}21.2.41. re Gearbox - Senior Range. It has been agreed to complete seven gearboxes already instructed and partly made. To what specification these were instructed we do not know, but it is desired that they should be brought up-to-date in all respects. Below we give the History of the design development so that Rm{William Robotham - Chief Engineer}/HH. may check over his instructions. History. The following schemes cover the gearbox and its control, in three forms i.e. L.H. Side Change, R.H. Side Change and L.H. Steering Column control. The basic schemes were :- ✓PD. 477 - B.V. Gearbox modified for Wraith 80. ✓PD.478 - Pinion on reverse shaft - Wraith 80 Gearbox. ✓PD.484 - Modified 2nd. speed synchromesh W.80 Gearbox. ✓PD.494 - Strengthened 3rd. speed Dogs. W.80 Gearbox. The above schemes were issued prior to the war and parts were not produced. After the War had commenced we proceeded to produce completed designs for a Rationalised Senior Gearbox based on the above and the following schemes cover the original designs and subsequent alterations, resulting from experience gained by road tests on the original B V.{VIENNA} box. ✓PL.31. Steering Column Control Gear. 2 sheets. ✓PL.43 L.H. Side Change Gear. ✓PL.65 Revised Gearbox - Senior Range. refers to PD.477 and PL.43 ✓PL.73 Actuation in Gearbox & Column control ✓PL.79 Vacuum cylinder and valve control ✓PL.105 Riding Control - R.H. Side Change ✓PL.121 Stiffened Side Change Cross Shaft ✓PL.122 Tecalemit Lubrication Pump Drive ✓PL.122A. Side notes: Detailed and issued by Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} in Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}3/JH.16.2.40. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}2/JH.14.2.40. Ev.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}19JH.22.2.40 Cont'd.{John DeLooze - Company Secretary} | ||