I'm pretty sure my engine drawings show the dates of the changes to breather and the valve springs...I have three B30 engine drawings in all detailing the different types...
Regarding the engine no. 535 the factory ledgers do indeed show it fitted to the frame detailed by Rob....I now have to go back to try and find where it was I got the AMC connection from for that unit as I have it listed for that application in one of my own listings..!...
Below is a copy of the ledger...Whether there were any changes subsequently is a matter of conjecture unless I can find the information again....Ian
Looking at the B30 production records engine number WB30.535 was supplied directly to AMC to be fitted into a Matchless frame as part of the production rationalisation process that was planned around 1940-41...As far as I'm aware none of these 'hybrid' motorcycles still exist and I assumed they were broken up when the project was shelved...
It seems that may have been the case as the REME sectioned B30 engine that I have is that very engine...WB30.535...Ian
Hi Ian, one of the hybrids has survived, I have XG15685 the Matchless engined Ariel. It is documented in the second edition of BFM. Steve Madden and I have had many lengthy discussions about how it managed to survive being broken up. It does still have its 1942 Bristol registration number so we can surmise testing had finished and it managed to escape by then. The contract plate was still on the rear guard. Under the chassis contract no. its stamped TT2/DDS/1752 which Steve deciphered as a WVEE demand number. Under the catalogue ref no. its stamped 8X.
When I acquired it a G3L engine with an "LAC" engine number. I wonder if there is any mention of it in the MWEE ledgers.
Cheers, Mick.
Mick, This is the summary / index page from the MWEE ledger.
Unfortunately, a chopped-off page top on the actual entry. No engine number stated. It went to Glasgow, to the "Home Grown Timber Dept." of the Ministry of Supply on 10/4/1943. Their HQ prior to 1943 was in the Elmdale Hotel, Bristol !
Could you please share some photos of your bike here on the forum? I will check my photos of the Kew files, I think I have a photo of the complete page with that Ariel/Matchless combination.
The Disposals of the Matchless-engined hybrids are interesting. Rather than returned to makers in April 1943, they seem to have gone to Ministry of Supply subsidiary organisations who probably already had a variety of civilian models to look after.
The Enfield/ Matchless went to H.G.T.P. again (at Aberdeen) 9th April.
The Norton/Matchless was handed over to A.O.R.G. Roehampton on 9th April. (The Army Operational Research Group) as was the Matchless /BSA.
The BSA-Matchless went to H.T.P.D. (Home Timber Production Department) at what looks like Perth. 11th June 1943. The frame had an EX prefix.
It's unclear if HGTP and HTPD were actually one and the same...it looks like it from the N.A. records.
Could you please share some photos of your bike here on the forum? I will check my photos of the Kew files, I think I have a photo of the complete page with that Ariel/Matchless combination.
Regards,
Bastiaan
Here it is, no additional information at the top of the page compared to the photo of Rik.