Charles,
Thanks for the info. The R hose that I have definitely has a gray cast to it, so it must be like some of the E-A hoses you have. I'm glad to know that it's not just dirty. I had my doubts anyway, because it is so uniform in appearance.
Another question I have is whether an end can be reattached to a F hose. Sadly, I received the hose with the end missing and the hose frayed.
Speaking of hoses did all versions of the E/E-A have the same hose and other attachments?
FYI...I am in the process of trying to complete original sets of attachments for my Model R, tan Model G, a model E-A (waiting to purchase a machine), a model F (waiting to purchase a machine), and white Model L, and an aqua G; so I need the information beforehand.