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).
The artistic and manufacturing quality of radiator mascots and filler caps for the Phantom and 20HP models, with proposed modifications.
| Identifier | WestWitteringFiles\T\2July1928-December1928\ Scan053 | |
| Date | 27th July 1928 | |
| PY. FROM DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} C. to BJ. HS.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} SG.{Arthur F. Sidgreaves - MD} CWB. ORIGINAL DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV{Ivan Evernden - coachwork}1/M27.7.28. RADIATOR MASCOTS & FILLERS. X5250 X.3790 X7250 X7190 PHANTOM AND 20HP. We send herewith N. schs. 2669/70. shewing the 20HP. and Phantom mascots and filler cap respectively. It is apparent that from an artistic point of view we cannot use the same size of filler cap on both cars, with two sizes of mascot and radiator. In these schemes the filler has been made the pedestal of the mascot, and proportioned accordingly. In order to reduce the thickness of the mascot base we have devised a modified fixing. We would like Derby to build up a model tank of each car as soon as possible for Sales inspection. For this purpose standard mascots, which Sales can supply, can be modified as indicated on N. sch. 2669. The filler modifications are: TWENTY. Dia. unchanged, height reduced .375". PHANTOM. Dia. increased .250", height reduced .250". With regard to the mascot itself we agree that the form has got very far from that of the original bronze statue now in the Showroom. This is chiefly in that the figure originally draped has now become a nude in the front view. The drapings flying in the wind at the rear, too, are not the same, and the proportions in the side view have thus become spoilt. Moreover, the casting is not as well done as we would have expected it to be in these days. The whole surface is grained, almost as though it were sandcast. In buffing out these marks on the legs and arms, all the folds of the drapings are lost.. In the dirty places, which cannot be cleaned, the plating does not hold properly. Could we not approach the makers and see what can be done to remove these faults. We believe some people are using metal dies for the wax patterns which are used for making the plaster moulds. It would be nice to get back some of the detail of the original. The less the fettling to be done to the casting, the greater the detail will be, and the more artistic the effect. DA{Bernard Day - Chassis Design}/EV.{Ivan Evernden - coachwork} | ||