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[Martin]

Well portrayed, Norm. One forgot the rifle or Thompson
and other equipment a Commando would have to contend
with, maybe even having to team up with a mortar base.
Meanwhile the Flea would bounce anywhere on landing,
dislodging something, all this with a alert enemy ready
to machine gun you down if you landed upstream or something.
Wonder whether the Corgi 98cc funtioned better?
Scalyback, will delve into that site this evening later

[Martin]

Thanxs, Scalyback, that was an interesting F/Flea
site. They brought them in in gliders too. Like the
pix of one Flea draped over a Jeep's hood like a trophy.
Also now see the gasoline cap seems to screw on, and
perhaps less easily dislodged

[Norm]

Gordon the reason that it was draped across the hood was because they were looking for a ditch

[Scalyback]

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(MOOLOO, I like fleas, just take this with a pinch of salt)


Being an ex-scalyback, I can say that there were different loads of stuff you would carry on motorcycles. The fleas were designed for messages, not as some combat personnel mover. You would have a rifle (303) of course, tin hat, webbing with a few pouches for ammunition clips, if you had too, a large pack (Backpack), battle dress, putties, and all that 'plate scourer' type clothing.



You would not take a thomson or browning weapon on a flea, they would flatten it.



That little icon I often have at the end of my posts was taken from a larger picture which I believe is R.E. artwork (may be wrong). It is pretty close (except for the backpack, Bastard things). Below is the whole of the artwork.







Nowadays, people seem to forgot the importance of carrying a tin mug. check the previous and following pics. (on the 'pannier')






A familier photo Who's caption reads, "But you ordered me to make it move, Sir?".





Another flea and it's 'rider' on a trip somewhere.




Donald Sutherland starring as Liam Devlin, in the film, The eagle has landed.




Below is a vid showing a guy riding a flea. not the best, but you get a feel for it, with the hand gear change.






If vid fails, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzaZOLyHd2E.










No seriously, The fleas are an interesting part of RE's history, even if they were never going to win the Isle on Man TT. Bit too slow for me though!

I don't need you lot giving me a 'flea in the ear' about it.







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[Scalyback]

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Forgot to add this, a detailed view of a 1945 flea.





If vid fails, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnpfMdHisiA