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Post by jettalewis on Mar 11, 2011 23:03:11 GMT -5
I love the Simplex motorcycles and I love WW11 stuff too, Sooo... I thought I would like to attempt a recreation of the Simplex used in the glider drops of both the initial invasion of Europe and later in Operation Market Garden. Simplex of New Orleans, La supplied the bikes to the Army at $5.00 less than actual manufacturing costs and after the war they recieved a letter from the War Dept. thanking them for their patriotism and to let them know that the War Dept had sold the bikes at surplus and made a profit on them. The bike in the first picture is mine and a period civilian model of this bike. The only difference between the Army and civilian is that the Army bikes do not have crash bars and they have oversized mufflers with spark arrestors. There has been some discussion as to why there were no crash bars and one school of thought is that it made the bikes easier to load on the gliders. The 2nd picture is a scan from Ord 9 SNL G-611 Dec 1943 and shows the Simplex as the Army ordered them. The 3rd picture is of Father Sampson, Chaplain 501st Parachute Infantry during Operation Market Garden, Sept 1944 I do have another bike I must complete for my nephew but will be well underway before the end of Spring. [/img] Attachments:
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Post by jettalewis on Mar 11, 2011 23:04:29 GMT -5
Well that didn't work too well. Here is the 2nd pic. Attachments:
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Post by jettalewis on Mar 11, 2011 23:05:33 GMT -5
And the final pic Attachments:
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HornetWSO
Private 1st Class
"We may not have a history, but we have a rendezvous with destiny!"
Posts: 551
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Post by HornetWSO on Mar 11, 2011 23:44:51 GMT -5
Very cool. How much to you figure you'll put into this project $$ wise?
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Post by jettalewis on Mar 12, 2011 9:20:52 GMT -5
You can put as much into these bikes as your pocket will allow. The basic rolling frame will run $500-$1,000. An original running motor $1,800-$2,000. Accessories such as repop saddlebags $500-$800, Thompson machine gun scabbard $300, windshield $300, seat, $150, tires $250 and on and on. However, I will be taking some shortcuts. I have a donated 5hp Briggs and a 5hp Tecumseh and plan to do something with one of the two. I will make the saddlebags out of musette bags and the windshield out of a universal windshield and use a duffle bag for the shroud. A US Army Ford tail light will work just fine and a Cushman scooter headlight is the same. The rest of it is going to be hard work...Such as frame work, restringing the wheels, figuring out an acceptable electrical system, ect. I hope to be in at less than $1,200 when done.
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