Ron

Yes. I bought it! I have to make arrangements to collect it from Cambridgeshire.(I'm in Poole) I'm quite excited about it. It's from the second contract of 250, so a proper military bike. I think the first contract of 100 were more or less just khaki painted civy bikes, although with a lack of pictures it's difficult to know the differences. There is only one other example on Jan's WD register. I've emailed the owner and hoping he'll respond. I'll post some pictures in the future, as I proceed. Ron

I don't think the trailers are anything to do with the couplings. It looks like the coupling is just cut from it's original vehicle and an A frame welded on to make a dolly for a large trailer. I must admit I can't remember seeing a 12 ton Scammell coupling! Maybe that's why these have twin wheels. Here is a Scarab and also The military Bedford Scammell. Ron

Centurian. The roller cages must sit back to back, so that the open end of the rollers run on the hardened steel washers. If the rollers ran facing each other, there would be some awful gnashing of rollers I think. Ron

Yes they look like the rear wheels, cut from one of those three wheeler Scammell Scarabs. I know the Scammell coupling was fitted to some Bedford tractor units during the war. The driver could drop of a trailer and pick up another one without leaving his cab. Ron

Well done on your knowledge as usual Steve. Now could you please send me a copy of a parts list for a WD/L from contract C8620 and a factory picture. Ha Ha. Ron

Whilst on this subject. Here is my Morris with buff coloured canvas (not WW2). I spayed the canvas with a lovely buff coloured Mezowax called Khaki. It was available from R&R in the 90's. but all they sell now is green stuff. I even contacted Mezowax direct some years ago. But they just said there was no call for the buff colour. Does anyone know of an alternative please. It would be handy for faded motorcycle pannier bags and so on. Ron

This is a WW2 tilt on my Tilly. It was more of a grey/green colour. But I have sprayed it with Mezowax which has made it a bit greener than it was. Unfortunately I haven't been able to buy the Khaki (buff)colour Mezowax any more. Because it seems only American vehicles count, with their Olive green?? Allied Forces had this tilt for about 2 years until Jim found an almost identical colour piece of canvas to replace the Bren gun panel in the roof. (which someone had replaced with a glaringly wrong colour panel). Ron

That's right Pete. I was the red faced co pilot that day. I seem to remember that the three of us had to push it the last 10 yards. Ron

Yes Steve. I'm waiting with interest. Jan is trying to contact the seller. Ron

Yes nice one Ferret! If it is the ex Dingo of Martin North. Then I have spent quite a few hours helping him fettle it and accompanied it over lots of miles. The steel roof is a work of art. Ron

I can vouch for Axholme Signs. I've done several of my vehicles with their stencils. I've got quite proficient at applying the stencils to the double curvature of motorcycle tanks. Ron Pier

According to Orchard and Madden. Only 350 were produced for the WO, and one civilian type Model L. The basic machine looks a lot like my WD/C. So some parts wouldn't be any harder to find than a C. But engine parts might have to be adapted. Ron

Hey Pete. Does that look like Martin North's Dingo with the metal roof, that went to US? Ron

Factory pictures WD/L. Ron

Absolutely! Is your Norton from an RAF contract? Ron

Steve I just remembered this from Jan Vandevelde's report. I'm sure he won't mind me displaying it here. Also anyone who hasn't already, and owns or is researching anything to do with WD Royal Enfield's. Should contact Jan on wd.register@gmail.com Ron

Oh yes Steve I know about the wrap around on a Flea. A friend of mine had a WDC with a plate wrapped round one of the rear stays. He swears it's original. So definitely a RE thing. Ron

I often thought the WING and Triumph field stands are the same. Ron

You just reminded me of that and looking through my pictures, I can see a small 24 just to the left of 'JUNIOR' and on the crankcase below that 27 or 37? Photographic evidence required regarding the wrap around contract plate. I'd love to buy one of Rob Millers repro's. Ron

My own Welbike is from the first contract and has no holes for the contract plate. I assume there would be no need for a contract plate until the second contract where there might have been some changes or upgrading and therefore a different parts list. So it could be that the first 1200 didn't have a plate? I have seen lots of these JDL engines with different numbers, quite often prefixed XXA. I think these were normally used in Autocycles and mostly have longer manifolds and a cast ally expansion box. Funny what a difference in value a simple 'E' can make. Of course I have also seen them re-stamped. But that usually results in the loss of the embossed 'No' at the start of the number. Ron

Hi Steve. As you can see I've just started posting on here. I'm not sure if the Harley's were popular with the RAF.....Or just forced on them Ha Ha!..... Like the 741's, I don't think they were well liked by the front line boys and therefore issued to the RAF and lower echelon units. Mind you, they are fun when you get used to them. As I always tell myself, when I go for a wobble on my 741. Ron

I think you are probably quite right Carruthers. All the Norton shots seem to be on home ground. Although they did take Indian 741's overseas in 1945. Clearly the serial number was added to the rear guard on these. Photographs prove it is in order to paint a roundel on the forward part of the petrol tank, and RAF 12345. Ron

OOPS Wrong picture posted. Ron

Here is my WD/CO 1943 RAF contract. One of the bikes from my collection that I use regularly. Ron

Missed this one. Ron