Restored 1939-1945 BSA Airborne Folding Paratroopers Bike
This is now sold and on its way to Singapore. Details here for public archive.
Frame number R 36069
1. INTRODUCTORY PHOTOS
I purchased this BSA Airborne from a museum. It has been well-restored with correct parts and is fully functional.
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2. PHOTOS of FRONT of BSA
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3. PHOTOS of BSA FOLDED, FRONT WHEEL & HANDLEBARS
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4. PHOTOS of BSA SADDLE
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5. PHOTO of BSA AIRBORNE & WARTIME COLUMBIA for COMPARISON
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BSA Airborne bicycles have become quite sought-after in recent years, and this one is in good operational order. If you fancy a genuine World War 2 vehicle, this model must surely represent the cheapest option.
I hope the photos will tell you all you need to know, but if you have any questions, please feel free to email or phone me.
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6. PHOTOS of AIRBORNE PEDALS & BSA CHAINSET
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Shows, rallies, local fetes and events make an ideal family outing in the summer.
Taking along a vintage vehicle is a wonderful way for younger members of the family to learn about the fascinating history of this country and contribute to the local community.
It’s easy for them to do some research on the internet and make up information boards for display.
They can dress in period costume (1940’s stuff can easily be found at charity shops and boot sales)
And of course a folding bicycle is just about the easiest vintage vehicle to transport anywhere;
it can be folded into the back of the smallest car …or ridden!
A 62-year-old BSA Airborne Bicycle will soon become a family pet –
What better way to introduce youngsters to our fabulous hobby?
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7. PHOTOS of REAR END, REAR WHEEL & FRAME NUMBER
Frame number R36069
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The BSA Airborne Bicycle was developed at a time when the only British Troop-carrying glider was the Hotspur. Like the Welbike, transport for the Para’s was needed that was small and could easily be transported. As a result, BSA, who made the M20 Motorbike, developed a bicycle that could be folded in half so a paratrooper could jump out of an aircraft with it. When folded out, it was used as a conventional bicycle. They were used in all the major landing such as D-day and Arnhem.
The BSA airborne bicycle was used in battle, but not as much as originally planned.
The plan appears to have been that the bicycles would be mass produced and make the airborne soldiers mobile once they had landed. It was better and faster than walking.
AIRBORNE
The British Airborne Forces used a few on operations, but as larger vehicles such as the jeep were available by June 1944, the bicycles were far less important.
Some of these bicycles are reported to have been used on the first airborne raid into Norway, as some are reported to have been found in the wreckage of the gliders.
A few of these bicycles appear in memoirs about the battles of 1944-45 and a few show up in photographs – but only a few. Most photographs show them being used in training.
Ironically, when the airborne did use bicycles in great numbers on the advance to Wismar in Germany in 1945, they had to use captured bicycles!
COMMANDO
Photographic evidence shows that a few of these bicycles were carried by Commandos on raids.
On D-Day, June 6, 1944, each Commando unit appears to have had a bicycle platoon though the bicycles seem to have been discarded within a few days.
INFANTRY
Ironically the greatest use of the BSA airborne bicycle in action was by British and Canadian infantry on the invasion Normandy, France (D-Day 1944 June 6) in the second wave. Some had been used on the invasion of Sicily in 1943 by Canadian infantry (Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment “Hasty Pees” re: Farley Mowat).
ARMOUR
Photographic evidence shows that some Canadian and British troops in armoured vehicles acquired BSA airborne bicycles and hung them on their vehicles, apparently for use as runabouts when time and circumstances permitted, just as owners of Recreation Vehicles (RVs) park the big beast and use smaller vehicles to running about on errands.
AIR FORCE
Some BSA airborne bicycles MAY have been taken into combat zones by air force personnel as bicycles are very useful items to have around airfields
black and white photos thanks to http://bcoy1cpb.pacdat.net/bsa_historic.htm
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