"IIRC most BAC 1-11s were "ON" towards the windscreen as the biggest market was going to be the USA.
But of course BEA had to be different."
Dixi,
Not just BEA - all CAA-registered 1-11s had the "UP = ON = Towards the rear" Overhead Panels. As you said, all 1-11s for the US met FAA regs with all switches "Forward = ON". Switches on the main panels & pedestal were UP = Forward = ON for both agencies.
I remember we had to bring an ex-Philippine Airways (FAA) onto the British register and swap all the Overhead panel switches.