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).
Bentley Brakes, questioning the lack of progress on testing new schemes, especially larger brake drums.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 84\2\ scan0213 | |
| Date | 11th December 1934 | |
| To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} from Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} Copy to Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager}E. C.P. re Bentley Brakes. Referring to Sg{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD}8/E3.12.34 I understand that several different schemes have been designed at the request of the Experimental Dept. but that nothing definite has been done. The number is given by Wor.{Arthur Wormald - General Works Manager} as 8 which seems extraordinary. I find on looking up past correspondence that I was told quite definitely in E1/HP12.4.34 under the heading of Bentley Brakes that the next 10,000 miles car would be fitted with the following features affecting the brake mechanism: 14" front drums. 14" rear drums. Spring plate servo. Needle bearings in bridge piece. Direct application to all four wheels. Spherical bearing equalising shafts. Stiffened shafts in front axle. Variable wheel damping. Would you please let me know why this was not carried out and why, even if it were not possible to get them on that particular car, nothing has been done since. I do not want to enter into a discussion on the relative merits or demerits of larger brake drums but definitely to get them made and tried. You will remember that I spoke to you about this when you were here some several weeks ago, i.e. that I thought we ought definitely to try larger diameter brake drums. You were not quite sure what had been done but were going to look into the matter, and I seem to have heard subsequently that wider brake drums were going to be tried on 5-B-IV, but as mentioned in my memo. referred to above, I cannot see this in the list of new features. I wish to know who is responsible for not having carried out what it was agreed should be done just on 8 mo/nths ago, i.e. who has over-ridden this decision? Will you please let me know how soon larger brake drums could be made and tested? Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} | ||