Adrian Dwyer

Thanks Richard. I really must brush up on my 1940 motorcycle recognition skills!

What a great selection of images! Can anyone identify the single motorcycle in the foreground of the image with the light tank and empty cases? Italian?

Afternoon Larry - I am not certain that the object attached to the Beaverette shows a complete assembly (nor, for that matter, its purpose was definitely UXO-related)! My theory is that sandbags may have been placed to the front of the taller screen, as shown directly in front of the engine, and then moved manually to surround the UXO pending BD action. The lower 3-sided 'box' on casters doesn't look sufficiently rigid to hold many sandbags and seems a bit low to deflect fragmentation: so doesn't quite fit the theory. However, I remain puzzled by the employment of an 'armoured' vehicle if the role didn't demand protection of its crew. Maybe the very low ground clearance, and the visible casters (to prevent sagging/grounding) do mean it was used for pushing UXO in a desired direction? In that regard I note comments concerning the limitations of the minesweeping option - a rope or chain between 2 Beaverettes. That technique had a good chance of disturbing an SD-2 but not necessarily of 'capturing' it (i.e., some went under or over). What we need is the diary of an RAF Beaverette driver . . . On a practical point, do you think the 3-sided 'plough' assembly is fabricated entirely from metal - and does it have a base? The taller screen element seems much thicker - and is timber? (Possibly to reduce the likelihood of fragments entering the drivers vision slits/further protect the engine?) So, in summary, I still don't know but I'm enjoying finding out! A

Re: the 'box' attached to the front of the Beaverette. One means of dealing with SD-2s adjacent to runways (but also elsewhere) was to build a small enclosure using sandbags. (This was probably the case in terms of SD-1s, although their impact fuze was less problematic than the fiendish SD-2 time/disturbance types.) Similarly, dumping sand/earth on a burning 1kg incendiary was a common countermeasure. I wounder if the purpose was to quickly (and with a bit of protection whilst en route) deliver sandbags, etc to scattered UXO posing an imminent threat to aircraft? Having now read the well-researched book by Michael J.F. Bowyer - 'Air Raid! The enemy air offensive against East Anglia, 1939-45', and noted the extensive use of such weapons against airfields (more extensive than I had realised) - I think this is a plausible hypothesis. All the best. A

Yep, I'd go with that. Also known for their Mills base plugs.

WDC is possibly the foundry mark for Wolverhampton Die Casting

The 'Z' usually indicates zinc (see the Mills bomb image).

Similar item but with imperial thread.

Morning. Are you thinking transit plug? A

I look forward to a positive ID! A

That was going to be my next question! The stampings are very ordnance in nature but, as mentioned, I cannot place the item. My best guess, pending someone offering a positive ID, is a blanking plug from ordnance. However, as a paperweight, on my desk, I have the filling plug from a US drop-tank of WW2 vintage: the diameter of the thread is only just in excess of 2".

Not your item, but here's an image of the base plug from a 1941 Mills bomb. The 41 stamping is within a 0.25" diameter circle.

Evening Dave - can you confirm exactly what is stamped into the upper surface. The 43 in the circle is consistent with the date stamp on certain types of ordnance - but I do not recognise the item. Also, just to confirm, the diameter of the threated section is 2"? Below are a couple of images from a 1980s vintage plug from a British 1000lb medium capacity iron bomb. My default is to look for an ordnance link! But, to me, the underside has a very similar appearance.

New old stock!

Ron, Really helpful and what a great pair of bikes! On the basis these are two of the components replaced, I'm thinking I need to be a bit less energetic/optimistic - and master the gentle art of the valve lifter! A

Thanks Ron - just replaced the quadrant, pinion, spring and bushes. It's better than it was but still jams occasionally. I'm thinking my technique is a bit too T150 and not enough 3HW! Is it your experience that you have to me more careful engaging the quadrant on the 1940's box than on Triumph of the 60s and 70s? Thanks again. A

Sorry Ron, I started a new post on Motorcycles. I'd be grateful for your view! A

Thanks Ron - a bit more application of the wire brush required to reveal all the detail! Did you take a view on the kick start issue? A

You may have to stare at this for a while until the 42 (the stamping of the 4 and the 2 still filled with black paint) emerges!

Yes, good material for friction: nice smell when riding over cobbles, too! I had assumed they were a man-made material - which I think is what the girders use.

The other interesting discovery - to me at least - is that the material used in the 1940s friction dampers on the elastico is close-grain hardwood.

Under the Italian black, under the primer, under what's left of the green, '42 emerges!

Morning all. Is it a known problem with the 3HW gearbox that the kick starter jams when the quadrant fist begins to engage? This has become an issue with the 'elastico' 3HW (see previous post for more detail about the '42 Italian Triumph): a good swinging-kick starting from the fully-upright position of the kick start routinely causes it to lock solid. Should I be gently prodding it to a more horizontal attitude before I apply the downward force of my ever-increasing bulk! Or is the jamming-up symptomatic of a gearbox issue, as yet undiagnosed? The two images show the resting position of the kickstart and the point at which the quadrant just starts to engage (and at which it sometimes jams). Many thanks in anticipation! A

Morning all. As has been noted, this is such a useful piece of work (much used by those treading the wary path through ebay sellers). I know Edward has achieved his aim but I thought the following images might be interesting as they give dates. NI combat glove dated 1984 Braces, dated 1980 Both sides of the folded tag on helmet 'sock', dated 1983 Anti-mine goggles case , dated 1973 All the very best and, once again, many thanks to Edward for the original legwork! A

Morning Larry - an authority on the history of SD-2s made the comment (copied below) on the RE BD facebook page. I think he hopes to join HMVF so may be able to add even more! 'Beaverettes were also used by the RAF to clear airfields of SD2s in another way: a long thick rope or chain was dragged between two Beaverettes, rather like minesweeping ships.'