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).
Testing and improvement of instrument dials with white lettering and their illumination.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 62\2\ scan0184 | |
| Date | 14th March 1933 | |
| To - Er. from E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} c.c. Sg.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} For. F.H. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer}/Ls./EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst. re Instrument Dials and Illumination. We have now received and tested the dials with white lettering mentioned in our memo E.1/HP.17.2.33 and the results fully confirm our view that the change in dial makes more difference than any change in illumination we have been able to try up till now on the RR. patch. Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} By.{R.W. Bailey - Chief Engineer} and E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} are all agreed that these new dials are a big improvement, both for daylight and when artificially illuminated. Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}/Wst will be going up to London on Thursday morning next, and we have arranged that he will take the instrument panel with him, fitted with the improved dials, and he will be able to demonstrate the comparison with the standard patch at Sales. Dials of this type also are on test in the Bensport at the present time on the tachometer and the speedometer, and although we do not think there is any doubt about the finish being permanent, this road test will give some confirmation on this point. In the case of the Cambridge photographic process dials it is noticed that the black is liable to alter its tone and fade somewhat under the influence of light. E.{Mr Elliott - Chief Engineer} | ||