Archive for ‘40’s’

March 28, 2023

Incline

“We’re still goin’ upstairs like a bat outa hell”

So said Chuck Yeager in his Bell X-1 jet ‘Glamorous Glennis’ over Muroc Field in 1947 when bustin’ through the sound barrier. Mach 1. Here’s a ‘47 T100 Triumph stretched and geared to climb steep hills.

March 28, 2023

Incline

“We’re still goin’ upstairs like a bat outa hell”

So said Chuck Yeager in his Bell X-1 jet ‘Glamorous Glennis’ over Muroc Field in 1947 when bustin’ through the sound barrier. Mach 1. Here’s a ‘47 T100 Triumph stretched and geared to climb steep hills.

March 18, 2023

Goggles to Go

Smile for Saturday

Honor Blackman in military garb as a courier rider during the war.

January 26, 2023

Skyward

Supermarine

1943. RAF Wing Commander James “Johnnie” Johnson puts his Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX into a vertical climb above the clouds.

November 10, 2022

WW2 Motorcycle

NoLa

Some photos of Harleys and DKW’s taken by my riding buddy Dean during his recent visit to the National WW2 Museum in New Orleans. Based where the Higgins Boat, or LCVP, we’re built. These were the landing craft that brought US soldiers to shore in every major amphibious assault of World War II.

October 19, 2021

Anamosa IA

National Motorcycle Museum

– on our road trip through Iowa we stopped in at this impressive collection of motorcycles. Here is a selection of engines spanning 7 decades. More to follow this week!

July 9, 2021

Gals Gang

Strong Ladies

– a lovely photo from someone’s family album. The lass on the right was someone’s grandmother who served as a nurse on Hawaii during the Second World War. The white socks and head scarves are pure period cuteness.

June 6, 2021

Day of Days

June 6th 1944

– a pivotal moment of the Twentieth Century when the Free World decided to take back what had been overthrown by the Nazis. Here’s a fresh faced army courier strapped into a Horsa glider, with his Matchless ride, bound for Normandy.

January 19, 2021

Seventy Five

– “If you don’t like the road you’re walking start paving another one!” Dolly Parton

She’s celebrating her 75th birthday today.

December 8, 2020

Mach Man

Chuck Yeager (1923-2020)
November 27, 2020

Under a Tudor Crown

Ministry of Information

– motivational quotes can inspire confidence and achievement. Or, they can just tell you to go out and ride!

October 9, 2020

Mon Oncle

Monsieur Hulot

– 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

Courier

– 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

Amazon deal

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.