welbike

It's probably stamped brass, and then nickel plated, but you's have to make dies for that, way too expensive! 

Etched brass, you cannot get the rippled background effect, but I had the steel contract plates done, and that worked in stainless.

Lex

Ok, the second one, I can have those made, but will be in stainless, and it's the most difficult one to have made, but will not be infilled with black paint, you have to do that yourself. Any chance of a centre to centre (holes) distance?

Thanks,

Lex

No, the James was never fitted in a dropcage, and it would not fit either, it's much more substantial! They were carried in gliders though, so you could replicate one of those?

Shame to hear about Nige! he's about my age.

Lex

Ah, I forgot about checking the Flea pictures! I will have a better look/see!

When I have something made, I'd like to do it correct the first time, have been doing too much wrong lately!

Lex

Thanks Ray! the Pack is in the Overloon War Museum, the second one is there too, but not on display yet, it will be in a US display, but I have parts for it that were found in the Rhine crossing's operation Varsity, with the 6th Airborne area, dug up some years ago. 

The glider is a part replica, that nobody in the UK wanted (or had room for) it, and RAF storage was being demolished, so it came to Holland a couple of years back, and is now permanently displayed in Overloon, a Dakota is also there.

We have, for years been doing displays and shoots all over the place, but since the pandemic, all is on halt, so it's in the museum now for some time to come.

Lex

Thanks for the Mansfield stuff, but which badge to copy now??

I found 2 more badges, see all of them here.

Hi Alfie!

Good show!

Lex

Hi Ray and Tom, I have a couple here in Holland, but that is probably too difficult, but I can ask a friend near Luton, if his can be viewed if you want? he can also tell you all about it.

Any chance of a picture of the glider loading plan?

In the meantime a picture of mine, that is on loan to a museum. This is one with original parts recovered from the battlefield mounted on it, and 100% British wartime used.

Lex

PS, another solution could be to go to Duxford, as they have one on display, but it's a bit strange, as it's hanging from the ceiling!

Well, I have seen both restored, but have just heard off of an original brown one too, or remnants of brown paint, but most I have seen were green.

Lex

I have some problems with this website, many things are wrong! 

Please don't use it as a reference to what is original or not!

Cheers,

Lex

Ok, but the US O.D. is different to the GB O.D. that is a fact, and I have not seen any bicycles in brown (original paint) but what do I know!

Lex

It's all about colours today it seems! (on FB) but I think, the bicycles, followed along the lines of the motorcycles, that followed the vehicles....

British Vehicle Camouflage, 1939-45 (mafva.org)

Cheers,

Lex

PS, or buy all the literature available.....

Yes, same for me! but also riding the bikes, and collecting the manuals and tools for them, make it quite interesting.

Did you read about my newest find? 

And in the meantime I am in contact with the daughter of a War Photographer, who's bike (or front number plate)  I own, pictured in France.

Lex

A lot of bikes were bought and shipped to the US too, see these adds, also Pride & Clark a mentioned in a Motorcycle Mechanics article. Also a picture of Mortlocks, where were they? OK, they were in Perth, Australia! building is still there)

Lex

22 minutes ago, Richard Farrant said:

Hi Andrew,

The reference starting MAR/ probably refers to the RAOC Central Vehicle Depot at Marchington, Staffs.

regards, Richard

Thanks Richard, I have added it to the slowly growing file of abreviations.

Just checked the Ruddinton catalogs, but I have nothing before 1967.

Lex

Yes, that's probably what it says, it's incredible that the cards survive at all as Colonel Penny was ordered to destroy them, luckily I got them.

All persons that actually worked with these cards have passed away now, but I did try in the past when the good Colonel was still under us to ask him about abreviations and meanings, but he always said, "I'm retired now, and don't want to think about my work anymore" so never got much out of him, the lunches in the Officers mess at the Ayrshire barracks in Mönchengladbach were always good though!

Lex

It had the wartime censusnumber C5552192, and framenumber 1114xx, there's another word written, that I cannot read after Sudbury on Keycard 202b.

I will also check some Ruddington catalogs, but think mine are newer.

Cheers,

Lex

Here the 1954 medal, the rider, and the bike got!!

Lex

Well, you sure got the smell of it!! sorry!

Lex

On 10/10/2021 at 8:39 PM, MILCYCLIST 3826 said:

Hi  Your machine is to give its official designation is a Bicycle Trade Pattern  Heavy Duty.  From my archives it was introduced in 1952/53 and to date I have traced at least four contracts.   In regard to frame numbers I have three sequences which are for different contracts  listed  in my frame number register  -   3 or 4 digits and  and six digits with the letter N or NP.    A  MK V1 model does not exist however a number of collectors and dealers are continually advertising there machines as a MKV1.  The last mark of military bicycle was the Mark V & Mark V*.

If you require any more information please let me know.

Regards  Paul

Paul, do you know anything about production figures, for the MK V and V* ?, and is there a way to figure put from the dramenumber, what make it is? I have a couple that I plan to restore.

Thanks for the explanation, and now I know what the T.P. on my parts list means!

Lex

I have some extra lenght of Indian repro guard, if anyone needs it, we bought an extra, to lenghten one some years ago.

Lex

It's not that easy Ron! there are 4 different lenghts of mudguards! leave it to AMC to make it difficult!

Lex

Didn't we all measure this a year ago?? not sure if Steves rear guard is original or not?

I have various samples here anyway.

Lex

Very nice Steve, I'd only matt chrome the clock blanking plate, all originals I had were like that.

Is the Mansfield lable original on your saddle cover? could you take some pictures of that please, we're trying to get some made.

Cheers,

Lex

Ok, I thought asmuch, but have been searchin for bridges, all over Belgium and nothern France, but nothing quite like your picture!

Lex