I can pull the date back a little further, in War Office deliveries at least. To C41709767 (WM20 18753) of Contract C6126 which commenced delivery 9/5/1940. It looks as if earlier machines in this contract may not have had the double decals.



Oddly, I have no copy from the Ministry of Supply ledgers for BSA contract C6126 but I do have the "sister" Norton contract C6127 which shows an extra charge for "painting of WD Numbers". In fact, the practice of applying the WD numbers to the now vacant number plate positions began somewhat earlier.

Might it not be that earlier WD M20s had only the top logo as the space on one side at least was reserved for the WD Serial number in all its white-edged black-panelled glory and that once this changed, someone in BSA's Sales and Marketing Department spotted an opportunity to increase brand awareness ?

Were Irish Goverment export tanks identical to British at this time, or did BSA apply twin decals to those anyway ?

edit. I think that I may have come in boss-eyed after a long day and the tank logos are on the bikes either side. Oh well, a good try :grimacing:

I think this change occurred in about March/ April so I will apply a single decal on the top of tank

I have the DR rider books fir contracts around this time - these feature photos of the bikes which detail the differences if you look close enough
I’ll study these too but am aware these are not to be btelued on entirely
Br & thanks
Jo’b

email (option): jonnyob1@googlemail.com