Did the French have some of these Jan? By the time they were accepted for service here, France had fallen. Or were some sent there before Dunkirk? Maybe civy 5S's. I remember that the Belgium jumbler (forget his name for the moment) had an ex French 5S for sale at Netley some years ago. Ron
Did the French have some of these Jan? By the time they were accepted for service here, France had fallen. Or were some sent there before Dunkirk? Maybe civy 5S's. I remember that the Belgium jumbler (forget his name for the moment) had an ex French 5S for sale at Netley some years ago. Ron
Remember the pre-Dunkirk "French contract bikes" Ron? The French suddenly realised that their factories could never produce the motorcycles that they needed in time. So Lieutenant De Baulny was sent on a mission to England, where he visited several motorcycle factories. BSA was already going full steam for the British and Dutch Armies, they didn't have the capacity anymore to build a French contract as well. But the Ariel NG, Royal Enfield WD/C, Triumph 5SW and Velocette MAC were all considered "fit for service" and ordered in large quantities. None of the Velocettes made it to the French shores before the Dunkirk retreat, but several Ariels, Enfields and Triumphs were delivered (shortly) before the German invasion. I'm pretty sure that the advertised Triumph 5SW is one of these...
See also this article that I made together with François Vauviller.
