mcspool

I'll second that! :thumbsup:

How would he know it was a PTO veteran? The wheels with holes welded up show up on many rebuilt Shermans supplied post-war to countries like the Netherlands and France. That feature alone is not enough to ID it as a PTO vet....

Well, Pete, my old chum, just read not only do you own a J thing but also fessed up having owned 2 weapons carriers and a LWB GMC! :shocked: While I am trying to unearth some of your cycling heritage, you make me drool by bragging about having British Service push bikes at your disposal, furnished by the boss even All joking aside, it might turn out bicycles were among the longest serving HMV's. Mine must have been in actual use for some 40-odd years before being disposed of.

good show! :thumbsup:

For GMC's spares supply should be quite good actually, take along the adresses of French / Belgian suppliers plus a few local HMV clubs; I'm sure they are happy to help out if you would run into trouble. Sounds like a :goodidea:. If you're going to stay in hotels/B&B's, go for a Dodge, otherwise turn the back of a GMC into living quarters and do it much like the GI's did it.

Another "rare opportunity", not a Dutchie "still in pallet" but "the very last one to be released from service!" - after being stripped and (ab)used as a REME training aid, it seems http://www.mod-sales.com/auction/vehicle/related/54080/Land_Rover_Series_III_88.htm

I was thinking the Israeli armed forces changed the engines on their captured ones but it seems they did not have to do so in great numbers. One variant was fitted with the Detroit Diesel 8V-71T engine, though. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-54/55_operators_and_variants, maybe you will get some inspiration from what all the various operators have done to re-engine them.

That's right - see the full rundown here: http://www.mafva.net/other%20pages/Starmer%20camo.htm

Steve, Very well put. I totally agree & I hope the Dornier is recovered and preserved like the Halifax, Gladiator and Hurricane. These are among the most powerful mementos of WW2, in a way more powerful than a flying airplane... Hanno

See http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5053

Great idea for landscaping! "Really dear, that tank is an inextricable feature of the design and will enhance our garden considerably!"

Here! http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?13807-Spotted-today

Further to "Trade Pattern" and "Contractor's standard specification", I read that: With those design requirements in mind, I understand why the military ordered "trade pattern" roadsters - they fitted the bill for a sturdy bike perfectly.

Yes indeed. In those days the bicycle was the main means of transport for most people, cars were of course not yet commonplace. The bicycle provided unprecedented individual mobility to the working class. Also Armies relied on the bicycle for troop movement. During WW2 the German Army had many units relying on the bicycle. By 1940 the Dutch Army had two regiments of cyclists, totalling some 5600 infantry riding into battle on bicycle.

Here's the old thread: http://hmvf.co.uk/forumvb/showthread.php?1423-1941-Bedford-QL-fuel-bowser&highlight=Bedford+Battle+Britain

Pre-war Hercules factories used mass-production techniques, producing more than 1,000 cycles a day (each taking less than 10 minutes to assemble). So an order of 7,500 to be delivered at a rate of 600 per month [did I read that right?] meant it had to fit right in their production system with only minimal alterations. Not sure from when this catalog is, but the Hercules "Stirling" Roadster (without the optional 3-speed hub) could fit the "Contractor's standard specification" bill: 24in. frame with 28in. wheels, front and rear roller-lever brakes, toolbag + spanner, "inflator". Only a bell and a rear carrier need to be added, plus service colour, no bright parts and - hey presto! - a bicycle compliant to the British military bicycle Mk.V* specs.

As you can see the bottom lug/tube has the tell-tale hole for a bolt which is the pivot point for the rear brake lever, so this Hercules must be a MkV* with conventional roller lever brakes front and rear. Once you dive into a subject like this, details keep popping up and one learns something new every day!

Thanks, that makes sense. See "Pedal Power - The British Military Bicycle" by Ian Skennerton for a drawing of a pre-WW2 Mk IV bicycle with a "Carrier, kit, Mk IV, rear "fitted with two "straps, 43 to 43 1/2 ins long" [not sure if I read the numbers right?]. But it does not give a clue whether these were webbing or leather. Would, by 1943, webbing not be the first choice of material?

Thanks Tony, this is confirmed by a quote from The BSA & Military Bicycle Museum: Do you have any period references like handbooks, manuals, etc?

No problem as long as we keep the subject on Hercules bicycles A quote from the Wikipedia page on this manufacturer (see 1st posting in this thread): So the fact that is has a Hercules saddle is certainly a clue, although it could have been retrofitted to any other bike as well. I'd look for further clues, try to see if it still has remains of the head badge?

Thanks 79x100 - really very useful info! From Rob van Meel I understand that in some war establishments the British military bicycle Mk V is referred to as "trade pattern bicycle", this ties in with the order entry you show above. I deciphered it as follows: "Gents trade pattern bicycles to [illegible] standard specification 24" frames & complete with tools and toolbag, pump, bell + rear carrier complete with two [illegible]. Lamps not required." Who can make out the two illegible (to me) words? Going by that description, very much like the BSA Mk V shown below, I'd say: Now I need to find out about Hercules' stadard brake setup to determine whether I need to find a Phillips rim rear brake or a coaster hub brake. Any more information or tips on where to find info and/or parts are more than welcome! Thanks, Hanno

Tony, Indeed, as I understand it the WWII Mark V has a front rim brake (Phillips stirrup pattern) with either a similar Phillips rim rear brake or alternatively a coaster hub brake. Looking forward to seeing your new acquisition soon! Hanno

Hi Tony, Yes, but it is a 1950's Dutch-made hub. One of the many parts replaced to keep it running during it's long service with the Army. Hanno

This is why I'm after information on the Hercules Cycle and Motor Company. I own an ex-Netherlands Army bicycle, which I acquired it via cycle repair shop which bought a lot of bicycles from a local Army garrison in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. The first layer of paint is black, then some sort of Army green, and then olive drab. The top of the frame head has red-white-blue striping, typical of Dutch Army bicycles. It has been fitted with many later-build parts over the course of it's military service which lasted into the early 1980s. Over the years, all I have done is fit another saddle, pedals and new tyres and ride it occasionally. It fits me perfect as I'm a long guy and the bike has a 26 inch frame with 28 inch wheels. But after I scraped some paint off the frame head, I found a decal under a yellow roundel. With some searching on the internet I came to the conclusion this is a Hercules decal. So that's why I'm after information about the Hercules Cycle and Motor Company, or more specifically whether they supplied bicycles to the British forces. Could anyone please confirm this is indeed a Hercules bicycle and would anyone be able to date it by its frame number CB 9526? Are there any other areas of the frame I should have a close look at for markings or any other clues to its identity? Thanks in advance! Hanno

Hello Rob, You've got 'em coming in at a high rate, mate! Before I saw morris c8 fat's spoilsport's posting, I did notice the bipod in the second picture. So yes, it probably is an 4.2" mortar. Thanks for saving another piece of artillery and looking forward to the picture of the unwrapping. Hanno