– “If you don’t like the road you’re walking start paving another one!” Dolly Parton
She’s celebrating her 75th birthday today.
November 27, 2020
Under a Tudor Crown
– motivational quotes can inspire confidence and achievement. Or, they can just tell you to go out and ride!
October 9, 2020
Mon Oncle
– trench coat, Homburg cap and lip-clenched pipe. Oui c’est Jacques Tati. Here the gauche and somewhat inept character on his trusty Solex motorscooter with nephew perched over the rear pannier rack. Today is Tati’s birthday. “Joyeux Anniversaire Jacques!”
July 10, 2020
Roadside Chat
– wartime communication was enabled by the feat women riders who carried essential documents between various ministries and planning groups. They look very proud in this image on some country road under grey skies.
June 22, 2020
Time
Picked up this great reference book of Triumph motorcycles from the last eighty odd years. All models and variations discussed in depth from the legendary Meriden examples to the current Hinckley offerings. Lots of photos and masses of written information.
The Complete Book of Classic and Modern Triumph Motorcycles 1937-Today https://www.amazon.com/dp/0760366012/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_EIw8EbMGGRAH3
May 25, 2020
It’s a small world…
The model is for all intents and purposes complete. Spent the afternoon adding oily and muddy patina to the bike. Looking like it’s just been ridden from the Normandy beaches to the Ardenne.
May 22, 2020
Scaled Down
The 1/9th scale Triumph Kit is coming along a treat.
May 19, 2020
“Join the Wrens—free a man for the fleet.”
The Women’s Royal Naval Service was the women’s branch of the Royal Navy. Affectionately called Wrens they provided an essential supportive role during wartime and peacetime. They rode motorcycles as couriers and messengers such as this BSA M20.
May 17, 2020
Assembly Required
– here’s something that will keep me out of trouble for a few rainy afternoons. A 1/9 scale WW2 era Triumph 3HW. The ubiquitous single cylinder workhorse of the British forces. Indeed it is the motorcycle used by my grandfather George in his duties as a Military Policeman in the North African theatre.
May 15, 2020
Weathering
My new project arrived in the mail today. A plastic model kit of a 1943 wartime Triumph. After assembly I’ll need to decide if it’ll be in a clean fresh from the factory look or well ridden appearance.
May 1, 2020
What, what, why..
Brains and Beauty: that could only be actress, inventor and film producer Hedy Lamarr. Here’s a publicity shot for Samson & Delilah with a photoshopped Triumph chopper. Somehow it actually looks the part. Now let’s discuss her paper on Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum and its use to prevent jamming of guided torpedoes…
April 20, 2020
Walking a Mile
Captain Tom Moore, who will turn 100 next week recently took it upon himself to walk 100 laps of his small garden. 25 yards per lap. His goal was to raise £1,000. As of today his donations have raised £27 million. His wish was for the funds to go to NHS workers who are putting their all into the care and attention for the Covid 19 I’ll. He was a Captain during WW2 in an armored division in Burma. After the war he actively pursued motorcycle racing aboard a Scott Flying Squirrel with trophied success.
A True British Hero!
April 13, 2020
Bunting
– benchtop engineering. If you think you have trouble working from home with a cat draped over your keyboard, imagine one on your work surfaces chasing bolts and washers about.
October 21, 2019
European Theatre Transport
Crated Glory | spied at the Russell Military Museum near Kenosha WI is this spotless wartime Harley Davidson WLA. It was just the tip of the iceberg… acres of tanks, aircraft, helicopters, armored personnel carriers… fascinating place.
