Hi Max
Many thanks for the research and thoughtful commentary.

I can only speculate. laugh

We know the Villager patent specifically mentions rubber vanes
or like material. So, I have an open mind about this.

I have done some research on India Rubber and it certainly
could be moulded into all sorts of shapes and colours, including tyres
boots, and garden hose.These require durability.

A second point would go to the demise of the system and the
availability of spare parts. I would have thought rubber moulding
required specialised industrial techniques.

Maybe leather was the most available option for replacement;
given that rubber requires special moulding techniques.

It would appear that many of these 'cake tin' coolers
were simply removed and discarded.

I mean, Many Champions I have seen seem to favour beautifully
polished brass flywheels. I guess that's over restoration.

Certainly an interesting point you raise.

Cheers Max!
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Jack

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