What do you think? Is there any evidence whatsoever that either M20s or W/NGs left the factory with black frames, engine plates or wheels? Someone has mentioned this to me as a possibility but I have not been around enough of these machines to know if some were released partially in black with green mudguards, tanks, etc., or if they were all released as we see today where the paint scheme of restored machines are completely homogeneous.

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca

I've never noticed any evidence of mass produced WW2 WD machines being two tone or black other than civilian impressed, or camouflaged (which I don't think was normally considered necessary on motorcycles). Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I would say it's very unlikely....

It's possible Big 4's had factory applied camouflage, though I have never seen evidence of that personally...

Also, I think all other camouflage schemes were applied 'in theater', such as Malta camouflage and the 'Caunter' scheme....As Ron notes camouflage wasn't generally applied to motorcycles because of their small surface area and irregular shape...(and camouflage was as much to alter perceptions of shape as it was to make something blend in with the background)

All the photos I have ever seen of bikes on the production lines, ready for dispatch or in storage show machines finished in the one, standard colour appropriate for the period....Ian

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

Early on in the war, say up to 1940, it is possible that some finished civilian components in stock in the factories were subsequently over-painted in khaki for military use.......but after 1940 highly unlikely..........

Studying several NOS components, it seems that they weren't all spray-painted either.......several parts I have show evidence of "dipping" in paint and then hanging to dry......this can be evidenced by "sags" or "drips" on one side of the component only.........I guess that for mass production this technique could have proved fairly expeditious and economical........

Not all components were primed either, with khaki going straight on top of bare metal in some instances.......

That settles it then. The questions come up when dealing with 70 year old parts that have been painted over any number of times. Takes forensic archaeology to get to the bottom. Thank you Ian, Ron and Steve for the knowledge update. I will pass the information along.
Wade

email (option): iron_ariel@yahoo.ca