3D Oil/Rad Temp Gauge

There were two completely different styles of Oil and Radiator Temperature Gauges used on the Spitfire. The first (6A/1310) type is a 2.5" 315 degree dial gauge similar to the Boost Gauge and the second (6A/1478 Oil, 6A/1480 Rad) is a 90 degree meter shaped like the Voltmeter. An identical (but different voltage) instrument (6A/1481) was also used on the Lancaster.

The meter style seems to have been used as it was an easier to produce replacement and is currently flown on many WW2 rebuilds such as the Spitfire, Hornet, Mosquito etc..

In terms of 3D printing the first is identical to a boost gauge which just a simple modification, a taller bevel assembly, to my standard 2.5" dial gauge. The meter style will use the same basic 2.5" dial gauge back assembly, but will require a new fascia plate and modification of the rear internal motor mount barrel to accommodate the lowered needle pivot.

Not having access to a real gauge, to dismantle and photograph the dial, has meant that I have been sidetracked yet again to learn another new skill. This time vector graphics, using InkScape in my MacBook, to produce my own version of the dial. You can see my initial attempt below. I need to thin down the lines a bit and see if I can find a better font than Helvetica bold !