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).
Letter discussing the development and testing of Flexsilent wheels and similar rubberized plywood disc wheels.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 42\4\ Scan164 | |
| Date | 19th February 1924 | |
| OyS-E-21924 February 19, 1924. Mr. Claude Johnson, Rolls-Royce, Ltd., London, England. (Copy for attention of Mr. Royce " " " " Mr. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} Platford " " " " Mr. Hives). Dear Sir: Re: Flexsilent Wheels. We attach herewith folder and copy of letter from the Newport News Shipbuilding Company who are manufacturing a disc wheel with rubberized fabric insert. The particulars of impact testing are interesting as few wheel manufacturers appear to have realized the importance of impact rather than static testing for proving out their wheels. I have seen an experimental set of these wheels in service on a car in Canada last summer which were said to have gone over 12,000 miles and were in perfect condition. They were also said to be free from the roar generally associated with disc wheels. We think Mr. Royce will be interested in this development. Along the same lines, but treating the problem more completely are the rubberized plywood disc wheels now being developed by a local syndicate. These have been demonstrated to us several times and are very silent and have noticeable resilience. They have run upwards of two years and 50,000 miles without trouble. Oy. M.{Mr Moon / Mr Moore} Olley MO/E | ||