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The Welbike

Discussion in 'British WWII Uniforms and Equipment' started by Jim, Aug 24, 2010.

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  1. Jim

    Jim Active Member

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    Designed specifically for the airborne forces, the Excelsior Folding Motorcycle, better known as the Welbike, featured collapsible handle bars, steering column and saddle so that it could be packed into a standard equipment container.
    The official allocation of these handy little machines to a British Airborne Division was 529 and after the war the vehicle was developed into the two-speed Corgi.

    [​IMG]

    • TYPE: Single-seat folding motorcycle [​IMG]
    • ENGINE: One 98 cc Excelsior single-cylinder two-stroke engine WEIGHT: 70 Ib (32 kg)
    • DIMENSIONS: Length 4 ft 4 in (1.32 m), 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) when folded; Height 2 ft 6'/. in(0.78 m), I ft 3 in (0.38 m) when folded; Width I ft 10 in (0.56 m), I ft 0 in (0.30 m) when folded
    • PERFORMANCE: Maximum speed Approximately 30 mph (48 km/h) Range on one 6'/2-pint (3.7 litre) tank of fuel 90 miles (142 km)

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jim

    Jim Active Member

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    This Welbike was dropped into Arnhem for the "Red Devils" the Allied Airborne Force.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Jim

    Jim Active Member

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    A paratrooper inspecting his Welbike, known to the paratroopers as the Corgi but its chosen name was the Welbike.

    [​IMG]

    A paratrooper preparing to bring his Welbike into action after it was dropped from the air by parachute. These bikes were very useful when creating inter-unit contact within the dropping zone.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. Jim

    Jim Active Member

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    The Welbike seen here packed into its container ...

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Cabel1960

    Cabel1960 recruit

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    Really don't see a reason as to why these bikes were dropped, surely something more important could have taken its place in air drops?
     
  6. Cabel1960

    Cabel1960 recruit

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    Total waist of resources in its day, i am sure that these bikes made no impact in winning the war and was used as some type of gimmick. :fag:
     

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