Were there any Bsa WM20's issued to the Americans or Canadians ?
or did they just pick them up if they found any abandoned ??

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

Were there any Bsa WM20's issued to the Americans or Canadians ?
or did they just pick them up if they found any abandoned ??

the only reason i ask is we can not work out if this is an American eagle or a German one this is also stamped in the frame and this very unusual
for bsa to stamp the frame the same as the Engine

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

That's not a German eagle....they are "squarer" in profile plus swastika beneath.......looks almost like US aviator wings...???

Batches of WD bikes, particularly 16H's, were allocated to the Canadian Forces from WD stocks and separate blocks of serial numbers allocated.....this occured as early as 1940/41.....later in the war, it seems that this was not the case as standard WD serial numbered machines issued to Canadian Forces without change..........

I've seen copies of correspondence between BSA and the Canadian Authorities. BSA were quite miffed that they had not received orders from Canada. The Canadians though were desperately trying to simplify their logistics and trying to wriggle (unsuccessfully) out of their contracts with Indian and Harley-Davidson.

I've seen that stamp before. I have an idea that it relates to a country which recieved M20s post-war. It's not French or Greek airforce, is it ? or one of the Scandinavian countries ?

The bike is date march 1942 ! There are other markings there's a crows foot
Timing side towards the front wheel and there is a letter H stamp right on top of the casing
Iner timing cover by the mag and there are also four centre punch marks on the side of the timing cover and another four on the engine !!!! I also for got to mention inside the eagle at the bottom there are the letters SE stamped

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

This is a German eagle, to compare...



By the way Gary, any chance of a picture of that acceptance marking? (The one with the crows foot...)

Best regards,
Jan

email (option): wd.register@gmail.com

After a few agonising months searching tinter web, Iv finally found out What these elusive eagle like stamping on the frame and engine are
Raf 269 eagle squadron !! Canadian and american volunteers

Happy Days

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

I think you will find Rick Brouard from Guernsey has restored his m20 in the markings of Eagle Squadron

email (option): ford369@ntlworld.com

Thanks Nigel do you have a contact Email ? I could do with some pictures !
regards Gary

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

Hi Gary,

I wish I saw your post when it was new.
It could have saved you some time..

Before I got to the part when you found it,
I googled and found that..

http://fly.historicwings.com/2012/08/269-squadron-captures-the-u-570/

Noam.

email (option): noam10@gmail.com

Noam . thank you very much for that some very useful information and pictures , its hallway nice to know were your bike has spent its time in the war
thank you again Noam
regards Gary

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

As this unit had their own engine stamp does it follow they were using their own independent workshops as well?...Or would REME have just identified that particular units machines by using such a stamp?....Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Hi Ian , in answer to your question. I don't know . being an x REME Armourer it all came back to a central point , as of VM's i couldn't say but I'm only speaking of my experience of the 1980's and 90's if it was different in the war or not god only Know's , I'm trying to find out as much as i can about 269 eagle squadron uk based at the mo as i can. I do know the were based in Wick Scotland till late 40 and then moved to Iceland they worked out over the north atlantic bombing U-boats using medium wight bombers Lockheed Hudson's and in the early days spits and hurricanes .
It would be nice to find out the markings of an eagle squadrons Bsa M20 or even a pic of one or better still mine ! but i think iv got more chance in walking the queen's dog's than that happening
regards Gary

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

No problem Gary,
I am always glad to look for info for the forum.
Sometimes it is easy, sometimes it is a challenge,
But it is always interesting, and I always get to learn something new.

Here is another bit of information I found:
http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/RAF/269_wwII.html

All the best,
Noam.

email (option): noam10@gmail.com

I should have an email address for him somewhere ,I will see what I can find,otherwise he does come on here sometimes and is on facebook

email (option): ford369@ntlworld.com

Hi Gary

I will try to send something to you tonight..

Best Regards

Rick

email (option): rbrouard@guernsey.net

I have had a US Marine snag an M20 in Iraq when he was stationed there! He was a helo mechanic out on a drag back mission for one that got shot down.

I sent him tools and a manual!

So, yes, US soldiers took one if found abandoned!

email (option): britool51@hotmail.com