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Remembered Today:

WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards


Lancashire Fusilier

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This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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How did the chappie on the right get in?! He looks around 6ft+...

Trajan,

Here is an example of a Lanchester Armoured Car's 4 man crew, which is made up of men of varied heights and builds, all of whom fitted into the Lanchester.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Thanks LF

All I can say is that I hope nobody in those crews was a beans fanatic ala Blazing Saddles!

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A excellent detailed photograph of an RNAS Lanchester Armoured Car, which was taken by world famous Photographer Cecil Beaton, at the RNAS Depot at Wormwood Scubs in London in 1915.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Phelon and Moore Motorcycles
The Phelon and Moore motorcycles, which were widely used both as single motorcycles and motorcycle sidecar combinations by the Royal Flying Corps and then by the Royal Air Force during WW1, had their origins in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, where in 1901 Joah Carver Phelon, who was born in Bradford in 1859, went into partnership with his nephew Harry Rayner to form the ' P & R ' Company, making motorcycles at their workshop in Cleckheaton.
Following the untimely and sudden death of his nephew and business partner Harry Rayner in a motorcar accident, Joah Phelon struggled to produce the new motorcycle he and Rayner had been working on, and being unable to do so, and to raise money, Phelon sold the designs for his new motorcycle to the ' Humber ' motorcar and motorcycle manufacturer.
Then in 1904 Joah Carver went into partnership with Richard Moore, and began producing motorcycles as Phelon and Moore under the ' P & M ' brand name.
The 1905 P&M motorcycle featured an inclined single cylinder 4-stroke engine with 2-speed gear and chain drive to the rear wheel, it being the first completely chain driven motorcycle.
Over the next 4 years, P & M motorcycles competed in various motorcycle hill climb events and motorcycle trials and with their repeated success, the Phelon and Moore motorcycles gained a reputation for durability and dependability, with P & M concentrating on their 3.5 hp motorcycle.
Following their success, Phelon and Moore opened a new factory at Horncastle Mills in 1910.
With the outbreak of WW1 Phelon and Moore were awarded a substantial contract to provide motorcycles and motorcycle sidecar combinations to the Royal Flying Corps. It is estimated that some 3500 Phelon and Moore motorcycles were provided to the RFC/RAF during WW1.
After WW1 ended Phelon and Moore continued with motorcycle production for the civilian market, and introduced their highly successful ' Panther ' range of motorcycles in 1924, with the Phelon and Moore name being retained until 1929, thereafter using the ' Panther ' brand name.
Joah Carver Phelon died in 1928, aged 69 years.
' Panther ' motorcycles remained in business until finally ceasing production and trading in 1966.
This first photograph, shows Phelon and Moore's 1905 model with an inclined single cylinder 4-stroke engine with 2-speed gear and chain drive to the rear wheel, it being the first completely chain driven motorcycle.
LF
This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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An early Phelon & Moore chain-driven motorcycle, with that ' B 675 ' single letter number plate being registered in Lancashire sometime after 1903, and before 1919.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Phelon & Moore's 1915 ' P & M ' Model.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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A Phelon & Moore trade advertisement referring to their ' R.F.C. Model ' Motor Cycle with side-car combination, which was used in large numbers by the RFC/RAF during WW1.



LF





This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.


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An RFC Despatch Rider with his Phelon & Moore ' P & M ' Motor Cycle and Sidecar Combination, which was typical of the estimated 3500 Phelon & Moore ' P & M ' motorcycles provided to the RFC/RAF during WW1, and is identical to that shown in the Trade Advertisement in the previous post.

Note the Acetylene Generator fitted to the handlebars which powered the motorcycle's headlight, with a second Acetylene Generator often being fitted to the sidecar to power the spotlight fitted to the sidecar.

Also of note, the early ' Maternity ' style uniform jacket being worn by the RFC motorcyclist.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Many of the motorcycle Despatch Riders serving with the RFC/RAF on the Home Front were female, and in the following 2 photographs we see excellent details both of the RAF's 1918 Phelon & Moore motorcycle with sidecar combination and the female Despatch Rider's uniform, and although this photograph was taken after the formation of the Royal Air Force on 1st April, 1918, this RAF female Despatch Rider is still wearing the earlier Royal Flying Corps ( RFC ) uniform.

Again we see all the standard features of the RFC/RAF's Phelon & Moore motorcycles.

Most WW1 era motorcycles had their unique and distinctive features, as did the Phelon & Moore ' P & M ' motorcycles, particularly those in service with the RFC/RAF, and one of those very distinctive and unique features on the Phelon & Moore motorcycles was the large triangular ' mud shield ' fitted to the base of the front mudguard, and in both the previous post and particularly in the attached photograph, that P & M mud shield can be clearly seen.

Although the IWM caption this particular photograph as showing a ' Clyno ' motorcycle, it is a Phelon & Moore ' P & M '.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Here is the second photograph of that same WRAF Despatch Rider on her Phelon & Moore ' P & M ' motorcycle with sidecar combination, wearing the earlier RFC uniform. Again, we see some excellent details both of the ' P & M ' RFC/RAF motorcycle and also the Despatch Rider's uniform.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Woah! LF.

What a charming young lady.

I think I'm in love ......

I think you are admiring the wrong frame and moving parts ! however, I am sure she was chosen for that photograph due to her being a charming young lady.

Regards,

LF

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This photograph of an RAF officer being transported in a motorcycle sidecar combination is full of detail and information which helps identify the motorcycle's make, the approximate time period in which the photograph was taken, and the rank of the RAF Officer.


Although we can see very little details of the motorcycle, we know that it is probably one of the RFC/RAF motorcycles provided under a Government contract with Phelon & Moore, and this is confirmed by the front fork/handle bar stem design, and more importantly by the large ' mud shield ' fitted to the base of the P & M motorcycle's front mud guard which can clearly be seen in this photograph, and which was a very distinctive design feature of the RFC/RAF ' P & M ' motorcycles.


We also know from the RAF Officer's uniform, that this photograph was taken after the formation of the Royal Air Force on April 1, 1918, and interestingly, the sidecar previously had the ' R.F.C. ' designation painted on lt's front, however, with the formation of the R.A.F., someone decided that rather than paint over the old R.F.C. initials, the new R.A.F. designation would just be painted on top of the old R.F.C. lettering, so we have both sets of lettering, the old ' R.F.C. ' and the new ' R.A.F. ' painted on the front of the sidecar.


We also see the R.A.F. Officer wearing the new R.A.F. uniform, and from his insignia, we can see that he is an ' Observer ' with his ' O ' wing over his left breast-pocket, and he has the rank of a ' Captain ', which is indicated by his 2 cuff rank bands, which had a gilt metal R.A.F. eagle above. Had he been a Lieutenant, his cuff rank insignia would have consisted of just one band.


His R.A.F. cap also shows his Captain's insignia, with two vertical gilt bars being affixed to the black mohair cap band, on either side of the RAF cap badge, again for a Lieutenant, the cap insignia would have been just one vertical gilt bar.

The presence of the cap bars also helps date this photograph, as of 1st July, 1918, the use of R.A.F. cap rank bars were discontinued, so we can date this photograph from between April 1st,1918 and July 1st, 1918.


The female motorcyclist is wearing her R.F.C. uniform with R.F.C. shoulder titles.


Also of note, are the Acetylene Generators fitted to the motorcycle's handle bars to power the headlight, and also fitted to the bottom of the sidecar to power the sidecar's spotlight.


LF




This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.


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I say!

Loosen up old chap.

She's not going to eat you, you know!

Is she wearing a calf length skirt or cullottes?

cf. the breeches & boots (what's the official term??) of the previous photograph.

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I assume that these fellows are members of a Civilian Medical Unit operating in France.

Sepoy

Sepoy,

I am thinking these men may be Americans serving with one of the WW1 Volunteer Organizations, such as the American Field Service ( AFS ), whose members wore military style uniforms and served in France prior to America's entry into the War.

AFS members, were typically ambulance drivers and medics.

The motorcycle ambulance with the sidecar combination stretcher, was used by several of the Allies, including the British, French, and Americans, and I shall be looking through a few more photographs just to see if that motorcycle ( unfortunately so much is hidden by the stretcher ) can be identified.

Regards,

LF

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I assume that these fellows are members of a Civilian Medical Unit operating in France.

Sepoy

Sepoy,

The motorcycle ambulance shown in your photograph is a British ' Sunbeam ', and although only some 70/80 ' Sunbeam ' motorcycles were sold to the British military during WW1, Sunbeam sold far more to the Russians and the French, including approximately 1000 motorcycles to the French, some of which were used as motorcycle ambulances.

In the attached photograph, we see a French Army Motorcycle Ambulance Unit with their ' Sunbeam ' motorcycle stretcher combination, which matches with the motorcycle shown in your photograph, and you will notice that the ' Sunbeam's ' French Army Registration No.10954, attached to the front mudguard, is the exact same style and numbering as that shown in your photograph, which by coincidence, is ' Sunbeam ' French Army Motorcycle Ambulance No.10952.

It is known that the American AFS Volunteers also used French Army vehicles, so I think your photograph shows American Volunteers, possibly AFS, in France, riding a French Army's British ' Sunbeam ' Motorcycle Ambulance with a stretcher combination.

Regards,

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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Sepoy,

The motorcycle ambulance shown in your photograph is a British ' Sunbeam ', and although only some 70/80 ' Sunbeam ' motorcycles were sold to the British military during WW1, Sunbeam sold far more to the Russians and the French, including approximately 1000 motorcycles to the French, some of which were used as motorcycle ambulances.

In the attached photograph, we see a French Army Motorcycle Ambulance Unit with their ' Sunbeam ' motorcycle stretcher combination, which matches with the motorcycle shown in your photograph, and you will notice that the ' Sunbeam's ' French Army Registration No.10954, attached to the front mudguard, is the exact same style and numbering as that shown in your photograph, which by coincidence, is ' Sunbeam ' French Army Motorcycle Ambulance No.10952.

It is known that the American AFS Volunteers also used French Army vehicles, so I think your photograph shows American Volunteers, possibly AFS, in France, riding a French Army's British ' Sunbeam ' Motorcycle Ambulance with a stretcher combination.

Regards,

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

LF

Thank you for positively identifying the motorcycle ambulance.

I picked the photo up, some years ago, together with a number of French Army related items, and think that you could well be correct with it being operated by an American Volunteer Organisation.

I am also amazed that you have been able to track down a photograph of another Sunbeam Motorcycle Ambulance with a near identical index plate :)

Sepoy

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LF

Thank you for positively identifying the motorcycle ambulance.

I picked the photo up, some years ago, together with a number of French Army related items, and think that you could well be correct with it being operated by an American Volunteer Organisation.

I am also amazed that you have been able to track down a photograph of another Sunbeam Motorcycle Ambulance with a near identical index plate :)

Sepoy

Sepoy,

I too am pleased to have been able to fill in those blanks for you, the British ' Sunbeam ' motorcycle is very rarely seen being used as a Motorcycle Ambulance, so your photograph is particularly important, and having both French Army motorcycle registration plates being numbered 10952 & 10954 was an absolute bonus.

Regards,

LF

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I assume that these fellows are members of a Civilian Medical Unit operating in France.

Sepoy,

This is what the ' Sunbeam ' motorcycle shown in your photograph, looked like during WW1, give or take some accessories or minor design features.

This particular ' Sunbeam ', was originally sold to the French and was used by the French Army during WW1, it was found derelict and abandoned in a French barn, complete with it's original French Army markings, and was brought back to England where it was superbly restored.

Regards,

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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With so many photographs of the WW1 Phelon & Moore ' P & M ' motorcycle as supplied to the RFC/RAF during WW1, showing the P & M motorcycle being fitted with a sidecar combination, or photographed from the right-hand side, it is difficult to view and appreciate the lay-out and construction of the Phelon & Moore rear-wheel chain-drive assembly, with the ' P & M ' motorcycle being the first completely chain driven motorcycle.

In the attached photograph of an RFC Despatch Rider with his P & M motorcycle, photographed from the left-hand side, we can see clear details of the P & M's rear-wheel chain-drive assembly and chain guards.
Also of note, the RFC Despatch Rider's early RFC ' Maternity ' uniform jacket.
LF
This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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the ' P & M ' motorcycle being the first completely chain driven motorcycle.

I am totally ignorant of many things, including the history of motorcycle construction.

What would the transmission method have been previously?

Prop shafts?

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Dai,

If you look at the Sunbeam in post #4761 you can see the preferred method of transmission at the time was a belt drive.

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What would the transmission method have been previously?

Dai,

As Gardenerbill has said, before a chain-drive directly to the rear wheel, as on the Phelon & Moore motorcyles, there was a belt-drive to a drive-wheel fixed to the rear wheel, as can be seen in the attached photograph of a 1908 ' Triumph ', which clearly shows the belt-drive to the rear wheel ( actually it has slipped slightly off the drive-wheel ).

On ' Triumph ' motorcycles, the drive-wheel was on the left-hand side of the motorcycle, and on others, such as the ' Douglas ' motorcycles, the drive-wheel was on the right-hand side.

The drive-belt was leather or composite material, either solid or made up of links, in the attached ' Triumph ' photograph, the drive-belt is solid not linked.

Also, in many instances, a spare drive-belt was carried on the back of the motorcycle.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

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