![ww2 bsa bicycles ww2 bsa bicycles](https://captainstevens.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/BSA_unfolded_early_model_with_AB_soldier-2.jpg)
During World War Two BSA supplied a variety of armaments to the British and Common Wealth services, including the Lee Enfield. However BSA also produced cars as well as sports firearms and bicycles.
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Ww2 bsa bicycles full#
In some cases the bicycle was attached to a separate individual parachute, Jeep or armoured vehicle.īSA, or to give it its full name, The Birmingham Small Arms Company Limited, was founded in 1861 and are most noted for their military firearms as well as motorcycles, perhaps the most iconic being the postwar BSA Gold Star and BSA Bantam models. It could then be strapped to the front of a Paratrooper or carried. The bicycle pictured is a later model as earlier variations had a double barrel frame seat post.įolding was a simple and quick affair, the wing-nuts were loosened and the front section of the bicycle folded around into the rear half of the frame.
![ww2 bsa bicycles ww2 bsa bicycles](http://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/1942-WW2-BSA-Airborne-Bicycle-1st-Pattern-10.jpg)
No doubt the added comfort of the larger sprung saddle compared to the original issue BSA saddle improved the ride quality. Like many others, this particular example saw civilian service after the war, hence why the saddle and pedals have been changed and mudguards added. The Type G Apparatus project was born in 1941.Īs advances in Allied equipment increased over the course of the War, the need for the Folding Paratroopers bicycle was reduced, and although they were mainly issued during the second wave of D Day landings, by Commando platoons and Canadian units, as well as in subsequence Airborne operations, the men never really took to the bicycles and their use was gradually phases out. The Type G Apparatus was designed to be either carried by Glider or air-dropped with the Paratroopers and as such weight was kept to a minimum 15 kg. I am trying to put together a database with Models and SerialNumbers and their location, so I invite you to post that info here with a picture of the bike if possible.Officially designated as the Type G Apparatus Folding Bicycle, of which over 60,000 were made during the war. Huffman frames were dated, but there too there's no reference to how many were made.
Ww2 bsa bicycles serial number#
The Westfield Serial Number files do not contain any reference to specific Military contracts, so it's become very hard to determine how many bikes were maufactured and when. Folding 'Compax' models were tested by Airborne Troops and the US Marine Corps but saw no action in Europe in WW2. Late in WW2 Columbia produced a Women's model. Besides rifles they also built Sten guns and Browning machine guns. In WW2, BSAs empire consisted of sixty seven factories and numerous companies. Other military vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles were also made. Early frames had a curved front tube but these were replaced with straight tubes on later models. They had already acquired the National Arms and Ammunition company and was well placed to provide munitions. Early rubber pedal blocks were replaced with wooden ones later in the war. Huffman fenders were rounded as opposed to gothic ones on the Columbia, chainguards varied and Huffman front sprockets had a unique whirlwind design. These bikes were manufactured by both Westfield Columbia and Huffman with only minor differences in parts. It came with a D-Cell powered headlight on the front fender and basic tools were carried in a toolbag attached to the Persons saddle. It was a military version of the Westfield 'Columbia' and was equipped with heavy duty rims and spokes. The 'Bicycle, Military, Universal' was adopted in October 1942 by the Ordnance Department. They proved a fast and economical way to get around Depots, Camps and Airfields. Of course they were used for many other purposes. The Army's official use for these bicycles was: 'To provide Transportation for Personnel engaged in Dispatch or Messenger Service'. So few of them are left, especially in Europe, that a bicycle with provable World War 2 US Army use and in any condition is truly a very rare and expensive vehicle.Īlthough the US Army had used bicycles for many years before WW2, none were standardised for procurement before 1942. Most of those are 40's era civilian bikes painted OD. Sure, you will see a lot of them at shows but when you have a closer look, hardly any of those are real, complete military production bikes. Genuine WW2 US Army bicycles are amongst the rarest of vintage military vehicles around. A GI on an early 'curved frame' Columbiatakes two British kids for a ride at a US Camp in Britain in early 1944 (Still from 'Color of War', Carlton DVD)