Thanks, guys, for all your input. It goes a long way in trying to unravel, and understand, the urban myths and mysteries out there!
With regards to the C10*** rather than C45*** number, Ron: In my own, personal opinion, that is I have noticed more restored 'bikes with the latter than the former (and, by the way, why is that?) and just thought it would be "something a little more different", that's all :cheesy:
That's only my opinion but, there again, I doubt I have seen more than a couple of dozen and, should imagine, there are way more than that if I started looking!
With these numbers am I right to think that the C10*** relate to RASC allocations while the C45*** relate to RAOC?
If so, then what type of number would have been allocated to the RAF and RN?
From what has been mentioned about some of the contract going to RAF then this would tie in, quite nicely, with the original owners personal history of my 'bike being "......taken off the local airfield.....". It would be interesting to know if this 'bike had a C**** number painted on its tank when it was RAF.
But, considering that I have already got it in me head to restore the 'bike to army green colours (I have already got the paint for it!) and that I am adding a few, let's say,discrecionary items as well to try and make it to its, former, late '41 condition then I am a bit loath to going down the road of making the 'bike in RAF colours/trim now: All to do with time which means money. Something that I have become devoid of since starting the restore!
There again, though, is there anything to say the 'bike would not have been in some kind of green colour scheme even if it was allocated to the RAF? Would love to know that and make me feel a bit happier :laugh:If so, would the RAF ask for their 'bikes to be in certain trims?
I would really like to build the 'bike with my old pa in mind. In particular to a period when he was in the landings at Anzio to liberate Rome. Not knowing who he was with (as he was so not talkative about his efforts) I do know he had dealings with the RASC in that theatre. In fact, I took photos of various headstones when in the British Cemetary, at Anzio that show this.
So, with regards to this I could use RASC numbers on the tank, which would mean I could use C1039181, if I use the 880th engine number rule. Is that correct?
In a nutshell, then: Would be great to hear if my 'bike was RAF and what C number would have been used on the tank. Also, would be even better if I could use a shade of green for a RAF machine. On the other hand, if this doesn't work out then I can still pursue the path of a RASC machine and dedicate to me ol' man.
(This has gone a bit off topic, me thinks.......! :red:)