- Tue Jul 22, 2014 1:26 pm
#3934
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A bike too far.
Digging around at the site of the airborne forces landing area at Arnhem in 2009, Somebody uncovered a Flying Flea!
It was minus an engine and wheels, and speculation rages over where the wheels and engine went, and why was it buried?
One idea is that it landed badly, along with some others. This unfortunate one was the donor of spares to get another damaged one fixed. It was then buried to stop the enemy using the spares. Their equiptment would have been limited to what would fit into the airplanes or gliders, so they would not have had a fully functioning MT workshop to do repairs.
However, I have a different opinion.
It seems it was set up to use, or even used, and was not a landing casualty.
Why? Look at the photos carefully. when something rusts, it tends to seize the bearings, working parts, etc. Now are those handlebars in the crated position (see photos below)? No. They had to be turned (i guess with spanner?) to the usual riding position. Now who would bother to do that if it was damaged on landing? It is very unlikely that they twised during excavation!Well, who knows for sure what happened, but at least this veteran of the 'Bridge too far' landing has turned up to become another survivor.
It can now be seen in the Airborne Museum, Arnhem, Netherlands. The dutch have taken good care of it, finding it a correct flying cage to support it, and no doubt using the same technology for producing clogs, they have manufactured wooden wheels for it (Er, well, they may actually be metal?).
The cleaned up little motorcycle finally gets the care and respect it deserves.
This shows a very good condition Flea, Not sure about the tyre on the front though, they usually don't have one in the pictures.
OK, I'm not too well and in bed, some stomach bug, but this has passed the time nicely!
[/center]
A bike too far.
Digging around at the site of the airborne forces landing area at Arnhem in 2009, Somebody uncovered a Flying Flea!
It was minus an engine and wheels, and speculation rages over where the wheels and engine went, and why was it buried?
One idea is that it landed badly, along with some others. This unfortunate one was the donor of spares to get another damaged one fixed. It was then buried to stop the enemy using the spares. Their equiptment would have been limited to what would fit into the airplanes or gliders, so they would not have had a fully functioning MT workshop to do repairs.
However, I have a different opinion.
It seems it was set up to use, or even used, and was not a landing casualty.
Why? Look at the photos carefully. when something rusts, it tends to seize the bearings, working parts, etc. Now are those handlebars in the crated position (see photos below)? No. They had to be turned (i guess with spanner?) to the usual riding position. Now who would bother to do that if it was damaged on landing? It is very unlikely that they twised during excavation!Well, who knows for sure what happened, but at least this veteran of the 'Bridge too far' landing has turned up to become another survivor.
It can now be seen in the Airborne Museum, Arnhem, Netherlands. The dutch have taken good care of it, finding it a correct flying cage to support it, and no doubt using the same technology for producing clogs, they have manufactured wooden wheels for it (Er, well, they may actually be metal?).
The cleaned up little motorcycle finally gets the care and respect it deserves.
This shows a very good condition Flea, Not sure about the tyre on the front though, they usually don't have one in the pictures.
OK, I'm not too well and in bed, some stomach bug, but this has passed the time nicely!
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REOC 15084
Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium
Tabellarius de verbis. Ostensor gaudium
