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 required black egg-shell finish for instruments and controls, and the layout for the instrument board on 500 chassis.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 181\M11\ img178 | |
| Date | 1st May 1919 | |
| (5) FINISH OF INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS (CONTD.) -4- E6/G1/5/19. letters and numbers. The metal work of the instruments should be a black finish with egg shell surface, similar to the Weston instruments. All of the instruments, including the Elliott speedometer, should be the same in this respect. Experiments have been in hand in Derby with a view to determining the best means of obtaining the black egg-shell finish; three methods are suggested, all of which Mr. Royce thinks may be required to deal with the variations of materials of the parts to be blacked. (1) Finish as on oxydised gun-metal watch cases. (2) Oxydised steel. (3) Sprayed on lacquer. The top work on the steering wheel, that is to say the control parts, should be all black. The principle is that any troublesome reflecting surfaces should be darkened. The spokes of the steering wheel, however, it is thought can be left their natural dull aluminium colour. The aluminium surface will become oxydised and dulled. As time goes on and the control pieces will become worn, the black will get rubbed off in places. It is thought that this does not matter. (6) INSTRUMENT BOARD.- It is desired that a scheme be made immediately of the instrument board for these 500 chassis. Mr. Royce agrees that Mr. Bailey should deal with this matter. The air pump should be near the driver. The oil pressure gauge and the air pressure gauge should come next. The thermometer should be the next on the left, followed by the switches. (Contd.) X.1362✓ | ||