Netley Marsh last year. Not exactly the same body...Could this be a replica...?
email (option): wd.register@gmail.com
As you say and quite clearly not exactly the same body so possibly a replica although the AA crest looks remarkably professional so on the balance of probability a better than even chance of it being an original.
However, the wartime photo I have of a 16H with box sidecar is NOT as the one you photographed at Netley Marsh as the top of the opening lid lines with the top of the front of the sidecar + whilst it does not have the rack on top of the lid - the lid is secured by two clips and what appears to be a boot type handle with locking device. (Imperial War Museum photos KID 5882 and KID 5881). The 16H is perhaps mid war period at it has rubber riders footrests but with the rear carrier and side pannier frames and carries a civilian registration number JXX 775.
So on that basis assuming the Netley Marsh sidecar body is original we have three variants already.
I took some pictures of an AA sidecar in Moretonhamptead motor Museum a few years ago, the bike I seem to remember was ex WD but the sidecar looked original and I think was steel over a wood frame.
And I'm sure Rik turned up a document that mentioned the WD version being 9 inchs longer than the standard AA box?
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
And I'm sure Rik turned up a document that mentioned the WD version being 9 inchs longer than the standard AA box?
Rob
Thanks once again - greatly appreciated.
It seems that initially, Norton supplied some standard Tradesman's box sidecars on 16Hs...For the Admiralty at least. 'SHX' was issued from mid-1939, but the outfit with steel pannier toolboxes must date from mid to late 1940.
They also appear to have supplied the RN with 'AA' type box bodies, although it's not possible to see if this one is extended.
There is also an odd box featured amongst the Kidbrook Collection but quite what it's doing there is a puzzle. Maybe it was their post-war runabout. It's a late-war 16H with 18" wheels and 'JXX' is a 1949 registration series. I think it's a red herring.
The contract details for the 1940 SWD Big 4 contract C6831 indicate that the bodies were 9" longer than a standard AA Box. I believe that this was the first box body contract although there is a reference in one BEF CMP war diary dated 21st April 1940 to the effect that the War Establishment of a Provost Company had been amended to include 13 box sidecar outfits to carry signage and lamps for traffic control. I suspect that these didn't reach France and were introduced later in 1940.
I\'ve often wondered why they were prefixed MT? Which to my mind indicates military. But they were used more on civilian BSA and Ariel and never on military Ariel\'s??
Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
I\\\'ve often wondered why they were prefixed MT? Which to my mind indicates military. But they were used more on civilian BSA and Ariel and never on military Ariel\\\'s??
Ron
Keith, Jan already posted that picture in about the third post. I'll email it to you anyway.
Here's my original MT1130. Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
The Big4s with box bodies were issued to the Airborne Divisional Provost Company which landed at Arnhem, I don't know if they went, its possible that they had already been replaced with Jeeps by September 1944 or perhaps they just weren't a priority in glider allocation?
Thanks to Rob van Meel for this info.
Rob
email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk
Indeed Keith. Ron
email (option): ronpier@talk21.com
This is one of the Box-bodied Big 4s that arrived in Australia :-
...and an AWM image showing what looks to be a Big 4 with RAAF...It certainly has the passenger grab handle but front mudguard is 16H.
...and an AWM image showing what looks to be a Big 4 with RAAF...It certainly has the passenger grab handle but front mudguard is 16H.