As an ex-airborne Sapper I’m thinking of potentially marking my M20 with an Airborne logo and unit markings of that time.
But only if in fact there were such bikes being used by the British Airborne div’s or individual Airborne units of WW2 .
I’m aware that the R Enfield made the flying flea and that also the welbike and Para cycle were made and dropped into action.
What’s not clear to me is if the BSA WM20 was used by them!
So does anyone know if this was the case or not ? As I don’t want to be another bike that’s marked up wrong or factually incorrect! I think most Can appreciate that ? I guess it a personal thing!
Red on ..... Go !
Rob ✊
Actually it is a good thing.
If you are gong to do a historically correct reconstruction then it should be historically accurate if possible.
For a while I was involved with a marine historical society.
They came in to rescue a badly done "restoration"
The very first thing was to grind out all of the welds and replace them with hot set rivets set with hammers and sets made from cast iron not steel.
Next was to remove all of the urathane from the timber work.
The only thing they allowed to be used that was not period correct was the crane work but that was an OH&S decision as they could not afford the insurance cover for making & using derricks & winches..
About 1/3 of the way through, suddenly it became a massive tourist draw as people really appreciated seeing the sparking hot rivets being pulled out the coke oven then tossed up & set
Trevor, rivets are soft (mallable) iron, cast would break at the sight of a hammer! But I agree with you on getting things "correct" if you can, I just wish I could do it with my bikes, one day.
Richard
It was my understanding that they had to wait for the Hercules before they could find an aircraft that could take off with the weight of an M20 on board:wink:
Trevor, rivets are soft (mallable) iron, cast would break at the sight of a hammer! But I agree with you on getting things "correct" if you can, I just wish I could do it with my bikes, one day.
Richard
I think what Trevor is refering to is the tool to set and form the rivet heads. We might call it a Snap or Dolly. Ron
Yes, you are right, sorry Trevor. But hammers from cast iron? Incedently I've always know the tools as a "snap" on the outside and a buck on the inside, am I wrong again?
Richard
