January 23, 2019
Ten Past Ten – Smiths are the clocks used on vintage British motor vehicles. Speedometers for velocity measurement and Tachometers for engine revolutions. Here’s a fine timepiece from the watchmakers at Smiths chronometers in military styling. They were a staple for British soldiers in WW2, wrapped the wrist of Sir Edmund Hillary as he summited Everest and an alternative to the Swiss Made items such as Rolex.
A detailed description of the face:
“The black dial features a somewhat traditional aviator configuration found on numerous mil-spec watches: a legible hours index with a triangle at 12, sword hands, and an outer railroad track for the minutes. Right under 12 is the “SMITHS” logo and an encircled T indicating the presence of tritium. Above 6 is the pheon (broad arrow), the official mark designating property issued by the British government dating back to the 17th century. Right below 6 along the inner perimeter of the minutes track is a proud “MADE IN ENGLAND,” a small element that differentiates the W10 from scores of other mil-spec watches.”
Posted in 40's, History, Military, Watch |
Leave a Comment »
December 26, 2018
Boxing Day – traditionally the day after Xmas when servants, postmen and errand boys received a gift of gratitude from the household. This item here would be a good boxed offering: a still-in-crate 1957 Triumph TRW 500cc side valve (flathead) military motorcycle.
Posted in 50's, Military, Restoration, Triumph Motorcycle |
2 Comments »
November 28, 2018
Industrial – A brick wall of the vintage commercial building that houses the Moto Museum is an appropriate backdrop for this 1936 CZ pre War Czechoslovakia military tool.
There are definite hints of period BMW’s in its frame lines and the somber color scheme would look in place along the cobbled streets of Prague.
Posted in 30's, Military, Vintage |
Leave a Comment »
November 11, 2018
Armistice- on this day One Hundred years ago saw the end of hostilities of The Great War. A global conflict whose influence ripples to this day. Tragic in outcome; it saw the loss of a generation through industrialized warfare, epidemic disease, boundary reconfiguration, and political & societal upheaval.
Posted in 10's, History, Military, Photography, Triumph Motorcycle |
2 Comments »
August 22, 2018
Don’t mention the War – winding up a suitcase gramophone this period dressed BMW R75 owner carefully took out old crimson labeled 78’s from their protective manilla sleeves and played the likes of Marlene Dietrich across the parking lot. The combination had a small trailer that would have been used to tow matériel into hard-to-reach front line positions.
The car holds a non-functioning MG42 machine gun whose air cooled muzzle looks fearsome. The driver had a very Teutonic air about himself which completed the outfit.
Posted in 40's, BMW, Military, Sidecar |
Leave a Comment »
August 5, 2018
Pocket Bike – Detail photograph of the folding motorcycle manufactured in the 40’s by Indian. Originally called a Corgi and developed to be packaged into a equipment canister and parachuted along with commandos into Europe giving easy speedy transport through the French & Belgian countryside. The design was rebadged for civilian use in the US providing popular efficient transport in cities or around campgrounds. The graphic is perfect for this marque.
Posted in 40's, Indian, Military |
Leave a Comment »
August 1, 2018
The Cavalry – the BSA sportsbike of the sixties sits pretty next to the horse borne regimental troops that protect Her Majesty in London & at Windsor. The 650cc Thunderbolt is akin to the ceremonial dress of the Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons). The chrome tank matching the red plumed helmet and cuirass armor; the star blazed tank badge like the Order of the Garter Star.
Sadly the ladies gaze on haughtily in their leather jackets. I’d rather they sat astride the motorcycle as proud riders, like their equine companion.
Posted in 60's, BSA, Clothing, Gals, Military, Motorcycle Poster |
Leave a Comment »
July 11, 2018
Belanglos reden – today we see out pal Steve and Bud in German Wehrmacht grey uniforms on some alpen meadow discussing tactics for the infamous chase scene in TGE. The Bikes are Triumph TR6’s dressed up to look like the R75 BMW’s that the Heer forces utilized.
Posted in 60's, Clothing, Film and TV, Military, Movie, Steve McQueen, Triumph Motorcycle |
Leave a Comment »
June 6, 2018
D-Day June 6th 1944 saw the landing of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force along the Normandy coastline. The beachhead that saw the beginning of the invasion of mainland Europe to free its people from the clutches of Nazi occupation.
This Triumph mage shows some dispatch riders disembarking from a Landing Craft Tank LST with their Matchless G3/L’s onto one of the beaches. Everyone arrived with wet feet and many under a hail of bullets.
Posted in 40's, History, Military |
Leave a Comment »
May 18, 2018
TRW – the side valve developed by Triumph for the war effort in ’42. Here’s a lass in suitable attire ready to look for some pastoral country lane to zip along. Very stylish she looks to along with the forest green bike.
Posted in 40's, Clothing, Gals, Military, Triumph Motorcycle |
1 Comment »
May 1, 2018
Red Square – center of the socialist world. May 1st celebrates the workers of the world and their stand for the rights of the laboring class. Started after the Haymarket Affair in Chicago which occurred after striking action for an 8 hour day turned into a riot. The Ural combinations ride in a formal line through Moscow in 1951. Soviet era banners fly from the GUM department store behind.
Posted in 50's, History, Military, Photography, Sidecar |
Leave a Comment »
April 4, 2018
WAAF – Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, furthering our WW2 flight theme look at this tiger gaped Bonneville. Jerry can pannier is a appropriate detail, and the big wartime yellow ringed roundel seals the deal. As they say: ” Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast!”
Posted in 40's, Aircraft, Design, Gals, Military, Triumph Bonneville |
Leave a Comment »
April 3, 2018
Air Force Blue – here’s what the pilots would have used to tear across the airfield to get to their aircraft and take off to fight against the Luftwaffe. A BSA M20 in splendid condition sitting under the wing of a Hawker Hurricane.
Posted in 40's, Aircraft, BSA, Military |
Leave a Comment »
April 1, 2018
Royal Air Force – turns 100 today. From beginnings during The Great War, through protection of various Empirical Territories it revealed its true strength in the skies over England during The Battle of Britain where, in Churchill’s words “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,”
Posted in 10's, 40's, Aircraft, History, Military |
4 Comments »
March 12, 2018
Spring Forward – after daylight saving bumped an hour out of the day over the weekend the body clock gets upset leaving us with a desire to continue napping. Why they still feel the need to do this I don’t know… when needs arise a cot can be found anywhere…
Posted in Military, Photography, Watch |
Leave a Comment »
