Johan Willaert Posted June 28, 2009 Author Share #26 Posted June 28, 2009 Our bikes at Le Ruquet, Omaha Beach, Normandy, June 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyhistorian01 Posted July 15, 2009 Share #27 Posted July 15, 2009 Here is a picture of Cpl later Sgt Ed Hillman who was part of a base Army Air Force Band before shipping out as a gunner to the pacific. You will note that his Bicycle has Air Force Band written on it. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #28 Posted July 16, 2009 It's obviously a civilian bicycle put to good use by the USAAF... I wonder if it was painted OD, but looking at the chrome finish which appears under the paint on the handlebars, I assume it was... Nice picture!!! I would like to use it on my webpage, is that OK? Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyhistorian01 Posted July 16, 2009 Share #29 Posted July 16, 2009 It's obviously a civilian bicycle put to good use by the USAAF... I wonder if it was painted OD, but looking at the chrome finish which appears under the paint on the handlebars, I assume it was... Nice picture!!! I would like to use it on my webpage, is that OK? Johan Dear Johan, I have no problem with you using the photo on your site. I checked it out an its a nice site. I eould appriciate it if you would give me credit for it as it comes from a group of photos I have from one veteran in my archives. My name is Robert Snow and I am from Kentucky. I have another post you may be interested in as well under vehicles. It the topic that mentions stacked jeeps and trucks ready for loading on ships for overseas, subtitled the Smith Plan. Thanks for asking. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortworthgal Posted July 16, 2009 Share #30 Posted July 16, 2009 We own 3 or 4 bicycles, but all are civilian 1940s bikes that have been repainted (one is a 1930s British-made, but I cannot remember the brand.) We have done 3 in military paint and 1 is restored as a straight civilian bicycle with black paint and a Brooks saddle and bag. I think the painted-to-military civilian bicycles are a good compromise for those of us who want to actually ride them at WWII events, rather than taking an original and rare bicycle out onto a hot airfield tarmac and risk damaging it. That isn't to say I am not envious of all the fantastic originals! At home I have a photograph of 2 WACs in England, I believe in fall 1944, on civilian bicycles. I'll try to remember to scan it and post it here. Also one thing I find interesting is the use of coaster brakes. Several reenactors have argued with me that coaster brakes simply did not exist until the 1960s. It appears that all the true military issue bikes utilized coaster brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share #31 Posted July 16, 2009 I have no problem with you using the photo on your site. I checked it out an its a nice site. I eould appriciate it if you would give me credit for it as it comes from a group of photos I have from one veteran in my archives. Thanks Robert, Just added it about 2/3 down on this page: http://www.theliberator.be/militarybicycles.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPNATM Posted July 18, 2009 Share #32 Posted July 18, 2009 I dig the no tires......must be hell to ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share #33 Posted July 18, 2009 Nice detail on that last picture... M3 Grease Gun with taped mags, middle helmet marked to the unit and that bike is a standard German Army one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dzandkw Posted July 18, 2009 Share #34 Posted July 18, 2009 Is this a legit one thats on ebay now just curious http://cgi.ebay.com/Original-WW2-Westfield...%3A1%7C294%3A50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 18, 2009 Author Share #35 Posted July 18, 2009 Yes, it's a good one.... Seller asked my advice before putting it on EBay... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted July 23, 2009 Share #36 Posted July 23, 2009 Since the picture will go away soon heres a picture of the Military Bicycle on EBAY. Interesting that the auction ended when the reserve was met. Nice of the seller to come up with a price he was comfortable with and let it go for that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted July 23, 2009 Share #37 Posted July 23, 2009 I now have a contribution to the Military bicycle post. I just acquired these bikes about a week ago, or I should say my Dad made another long trip to pick something up for me because I was busy. I really haven't had the time to look them over to close yet. I suspect that a peddle, kickstand, or a grip or two is not correct Military, but they at least should be what was replaced while in military service. Johan or anybody else feel free to pick anything out on the bike you see is incorrect. I'm knowledgeable about the bikes,but by no means an expert. Some things about the bikes. All four tires are U.S. Royal Master Centipede Grip (marked War tire) 26 x 2.125 They are checked (tiny cracks) and cannot be ridden on. Light original to bike Pump original to bike. Not in the right spot. Can see paint worn where the pump should go. Bell. Have not taken the time to see if it is Bevin marked. The bikes were surplussed and to the best of Jim's (the seller) knowledge were not touched by the previous owner. I found these on the Internet about 12 years ago and have been waiting for them to come up for sale. He lived in a town that now escapes me ,but he eventually moved to Clark Fork, Idaho where my Dad went to get them. This is by Post Falls. Here is what little history I have on the bikes "Quote from the seller" “Well our military bicycles came from the Oakland Army Depot. CA. The man I bought them from used to go to a Lot of actions, military and otherwise. He collected all kinds of odd and weird things. From mannequins to a horse drawn hearse. Kinda cool really, but you need a big place to put it all. That's about all the history I have on the bicycles.” A bunch of photos in this gallery. http://handcartz.smugmug.com/gallery/8763603_92MzR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted July 23, 2009 Share #38 Posted July 23, 2009 Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 23, 2009 Author Share #39 Posted July 23, 2009 VERY!!!! nice, Craig, especially the Women's model! The Men's bike's a Huffman, but I guess you already figured that out... Johan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 25, 2009 Author Share #40 Posted July 25, 2009 Johan or anybody else feel free to pick anything out on the bike you see is incorrect. I'm knowledgeable about the bikes,but by no means an expert. Well finally found some time to check out all images and details about these bikes. And there's only one thing to say really: 'WOW!!!!' Both are absolutely 100% original WW2 issued bikes. And to add, both are rather uncommon as you hardly ever see a women's model (I know of only three, this one included) and the Huffman made men's bike appears to much harder to find than the Columbia. I don't think anything at all was replaced on these over the years, except maybe some handlebar grips... But again this is speculation as both could have been fitted with these earlier coke bottle style grips. Having said all this, please put me first in line if these ever come up for sale??? Don't do anything to these, except maybe fitting some new tires to ride on.... Cheers, JOhan BTW Is it OK to use pictures of tires on my site??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted July 25, 2009 Share #41 Posted July 25, 2009 Ever since I knew about these two bikes I never really had the desire to bid on any of the bikes that came up for sale on EBAY. There were some nice ones that came up, but always hoped these would come my way. Feel free to use any photo you like. I think the mens bike has a civilian Kickstand on it because it appears to have no green paint and leans over to much like its short or just bent. Just my initial assumption. Of the top of my head I know of a couple of Womans bikes. Found a Womans bicycle on the internet years ago. The guy was going to restore it and give it to a Wac museum or something like that. I will have to see if I have a picture of that one somewhere. Also there was a Womans frame that sold on EBAY 5? years ago. The two you mention must be G. Desmet collection, and Im pretty sure Gerald M has one.(think thats his name) Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 25, 2009 Author Share #42 Posted July 25, 2009 Yes, the one that picture is now in the Desmet collection in Belgium and came off Ebay about 18 months ago... The other one's indeed Gerald's.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted July 26, 2009 Author Share #43 Posted July 26, 2009 Feel free to use any photo you like. Just updated the page: http://www.theliberator.be/militarybicycles.htm Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig johnson Posted July 27, 2009 Share #44 Posted July 27, 2009 Looking through some old paper work I printed out. Found an answer to a question I asked about an auction on EBAY. (25 July 2002) Serial Number for a military bicycle MG42819. Cant find a picture of it at this time. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UPNATM Posted July 29, 2009 Share #45 Posted July 29, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeeDiv26 Posted August 2, 2009 Share #46 Posted August 2, 2009 Wow wonderful rides! :w00t: :w00t:One of the guys in my unit restored a vintage (I'm not positive if it's from WWII) bike. He bought it for $5 at a yard sale and after a "little" work it came out beautifully. Not a USGI bike but I still loved it. Here's me on it doing Co. Messenger duty at Reading this year. After riding it around all weekend I decided I HAVE to have one for next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted September 28, 2009 Share #47 Posted September 28, 2009 Me on my WW2 BSA Airborne Folding Bicycle(we since have removed the farby white fenders): The bike completely folded:Unfolding the bike: -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunbarrel Posted September 28, 2009 Share #48 Posted September 28, 2009 That's very cool, Josh. :thumbsup: Did you bike enthusiasts see the one being auctioned on eBay? http://cgi.ebay.com/1944-BSA-PARATROOPER-F...emZ180410908378 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Willaert Posted September 28, 2009 Author Share #49 Posted September 28, 2009 Cool, but not US!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redjoshman Posted September 28, 2009 Share #50 Posted September 28, 2009 Cool, but not US!!! I thought I had read somewhere that some US Paratroopers were given them, though they ditched them once in France as quickly as the Brits did(I also recall seeing a photo of one guy getting into a plane for Normady with one strapped to his leg)? If not I am sorry, and I will gladly delete the post. -Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now