WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A jubilant Oliver Godfrey, photographed immediately after his 3rd July, 1911 winning of the 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT Race.

' O.C. ' is seen alongside the Hendee Manufacturing Company's London Agent, Billy Wells, and Mrs. Julia Hedstrom, the wife of the Company's co-founder, Carl Oscar Hedstrom.

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.

[johnboy]

Billy Wells trading went into liquidation and he returned to America.

I think the 1000cc bike was powered by a Peugeot engine.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Billy Wells trading went into liquidation and he returned to America.

I think the 1000cc bike was powered by a Peugeot engine.

johnboy,

American William ( Billy ) Huntingdon Wells was an interesting man and an accomplished cycle racer, who came to England in 1902 to be the British Agent for the ' Stanley Steamer ' steam-powered motorcar. The steam-powered car venture was not a financial success, and Billy Wells formed an import company ' South British Trading Ltd ' and started importing into Britain German motorcycles, which Billy Wells marketed as the ' Vindec Special ', and Wells fitted some of these Vindec Specials with 1000 cc ' Peugeot ' V-twin engines.

Again, the Vindec Specials were not a success, and South British Trading went into liquidation, with Billy Wells returning to America.

Whilst back in American, Billy Wells met an old friend from their cycle racing days, George Hendee, and Hendee offered Billy Wells his British ' Indian ' motorcycle Agency, and in May 1909, Billy Wells returned to England and set up the ' Indian ' motorcycle London offices and showroom at 178 Great Portland Street.

Billy Wells was very successful running the ' Indian ' motorcycles' British office, which was significantly boosted by the ' Indian ' 1-2-3 clean-sweep winning of the 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT Race.

Billy Wells died in Harrow on 15th January, 1954 aged 86.

Attached is a photograph of Billy Wells on one of his V-twin ' Vindec Specials '.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

All 3 members of the 1911 Isle of Man Senior Race 1-2-3 clean-sweep winning ' Indian ' factory team, were British. Oliver Godfrey 1st from London, Charles Franklin 2nd from Dublin and Arthur Moorhouse 3rd from Prestwich, Lancashire.

Oliver Godfrey died flying with the RFC., Charles Franklin, after retiring from racing became the ' Indian ' motorcycles' Dublin Agent and died in American in 1932, and Arthur Moorhouse was tragically killed on April 20, 1912 during a motorcycle race at Brooklands.

Attached are photographs of both Franklin ( No.12 ) and Moorhouse ( No.72 ).

LF

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

2

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Oliver Godfrey's 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT Race, winner's trophy.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A 1911 ' Indian ' advertisement from Hendee Manufacturing's first London office at 178 Great Portland Street, London, run by Billy Wells. The ' Indian ' London office was subsequently moved to new offices at ' Indian House ' 366-368 Euston Road, London.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A 1915 ' Indian ' Advertisement from Hendee Manufacturing's new London offices at ' Indian House ' 366-368 Euston Road, London.

Of note, at the bottom of this advertisement, the Hendee Manufacturing Company's Dublin office manager is shown as C. B. Franklin, who was part of the ' Indian ' team which completed the 1-2-3 clean-sweep victory in the 1911 Isle of Man Senior TT Race, with Charles Franklin coming in 2nd behind his team-mate Oliver Godfrey.

Charles Franklin, is seen in the left photograph ( No.12 ) in post # 4979.

LF

Graces Guide 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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Martinsyde G100 ' Elephant ' fighter bomber of 27 Squadron, so nicknamed due to the G100's large size and lack of manoeuvrability , the exact same type of aircraft 2nd Lt. Oliver C. Godfrey, RFC., was flying when he was shot down and killed on 23rd September, 1916.

The Martinsyde G100 was Introduced into service with the Royal Flying Corps in 1916, with 271 being built.

The G100's general specifications :-

Crew of one - Length 26 ft 6 in - Wingspan 38 ft - Height 9 ft 8 in - Engine 1 x Beardmore straight 6-cylinder 120 hp - Maximum Speed 96 mph - Range 450 miles - Service Ceiling 14,000 ft - Armament 1 x .303 Lewis Gun mounted above upper wing centre section and 1 x .303 Lewis Gun mounted aft of the cockpit pointing rearwards.

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.

[johnboy]

Any pics of the cockpit? I am trying to work out how the guns would be used whilst still flying the plane.

[johnboy]

Probably answers my question

"The armament of the Martinsyde consisted of a Lewis Gun on the top of the plane with a long extension handle with which the pilot could bring the gun to the vertical position and so change the drum in flight. At first it was the small drum containing 47 rounds, but later there was a double drum containing 98 rounds. Spare drums were accommodated in racks inside round the pilots seat, and it was no easy job changing these drums especially the big ones, against the wind pressure. In addition we fitted a Lewis Gun on a simple mounting behind the pilot’s seat to “frighten off” an enemy on our tail, but this was really of very little use as it was not possible to turn round and fire it without very much affecting the control of the aircraft."

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The photograph page from 2nd Lt. Oliver Cyril Godfrey's Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No.2264 issued on 12th January, 1916.

2nd Lt. Oliver Cyril Godfrey, R.F.C. - born 15th October 1887 - Killed in Action 23rd September 1916

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Probably answers my question

"The armament of the Martinsyde consisted of a Lewis Gun on the top of the plane with a long extension handle with which the pilot could bring the gun to the vertical position and so change the drum in flight. At first it was the small drum containing 47 rounds, but later there was a double drum containing 98 rounds. Spare drums were accommodated in racks inside round the pilots seat, and it was no easy job changing these drums especially the big ones, against the wind pressure. In addition we fitted a Lewis Gun on a simple mounting behind the pilot’s seat to “frighten off” an enemy on our tail, but this was really of very little use as it was not possible to turn round and fire it without very much affecting the control of the aircraft."

johnboy,

This photograph clearly shows the top-centre mounted machine gun on a Martinsyde G100.

Regards,

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

With the Hendee Manufacturing Company's ' Indian ' motorcycle's continuing success and popularity, in 1909 Hendee and Hedstrom recruited a talented and innovative engineer, Charles Gustafson ( 1863 - 1951 ) who had been working on a side-valve flathead engine for one of Hendee's competitors, to join Hendee as Carl Hedstrom's assistant, and work with Hedstrom on developing a new side-valve ' Indian ' engine to be known as the ' Powerplus ' due to the new engine's significantly increased power.

When Carl Hedstrom left Hendee in 1913, Charles Gustafson took over as Hendee's chief engineer, and by late 1915, Hendee was ready to introduce their new 1000 cc V-Twin side-valve ' Powerplus ' 16 hp engine.

The ' Indian Powerplus ' remained in production from 1916 until 1922, and during WW1, the ' Indian Powerplus ' side-valve 1000 cc V-Twin motorcycle was the U.S. Army's main motorcycle, which was also supplied to Britain's military and other allies including Italy and Russia, during WW1.

The attached photograph shows a superb 1916 ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc side-valve V-Twin 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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Members of a U.S. Army Signal Corps' Unit riding military issue ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc motorcycles.

The Unit is armed with the American M1917 rifle and bayonet.

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.

[GRANVILLE]

Hi LF.

Not trying to change the direction of the thread but I PM'ed you a link the other day. I noted no reply so have tried again just now but what I have discovered is the message seems to go straight to my own INBOX? Anyone else come across this happening?

The film is 1925 but I'm not sure if they were making use of this during the war years? It's quite a long montage of film clips and well worth watching through for the variety of scenes.

http://player.bfi.or...l-tractor-1925/

David

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Hi LF.

Not trying to change the direction of the thread but I PM'ed you a link the other day. I noted no reply so have tried again just now but what I have discovered is the message seems to go straight to my own INBOX? Anyone else come across this happening?

The film is 1925 but I'm not sure if they were making use of this during the war years? It's quite a long montage of film clips and well worth watching through for the variety of scenes.

http://player.bfi.or...l-tractor-1925/

David

David,

Yes, those BFI films are fascinating and highly recommended, they are certainly full of nostalgia.

Many thanks for the links.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Royal Flying Corps ( RFC ) Corporal Despatch Rider, wearing the ' Maternity ' style uniform jacket, riding on an ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc motorcycle.

This particular motorcycle is fitted with the British vertical canister type of Acetylene Generator fixed to the handlebars, rather than the American type horizontal tubular Acetylene Generators, used to power the motorcycle's headlight.

The motorcycle's ' ES ' number plate lettering, is for an early ' Dundee ' registration.

The vehicle behind the motorcycle, is an RFC ' Crossley ' Tender.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A nicely detailed photograph of an American Army WW1 military issue ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc motorcycle, fitted with the American type of tubular Acetylene Generator fitted to the handelbars, plus an electric Siren.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

An extremely interesting and rare photograph showing an equally rare version of the ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle and sidecar combination which has been adapted for use by those who have been wounded/injured and are disabled, with the modifications to the motorcycle enabling it to be operated from the sidecar using specially adapted dual-controls.

In this photograph, a wounded Lieutenant Pilot Officer seated in the sidecar, is able to operate the motorcycle using a modified handlebar with some controls attached, with other adapted controls close at hand adjacent to the sidecar.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A 1918 Hendee Manufacturing Company's advertisement for the military version of their ' Indian Powerplus ' 1000 cc motorcycle, which was supplied to the U.S. military and America's allies 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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

An ' Indian Powerplus ' motorcycle machine gun combination, fitted with Browning's ' Colt Model 1914 ' .30-06 calibre machine gun.

Note the machine gun's tripod carried horizontally alongside the machine gun, and the ammunition boxes stowed in the base of the combination.

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.

[Cpl Coleman]

From US Library of Congress Digital Photographs Collection - Another nice WW1 Indian

• Title: Motor Cycle Ambulance -- Hero Land
• Creator(s): Bain News Service, publisher
• Date Created/Published: [1917]
• Medium: 1 negative : glass ; 5 x 7 in. or smaller.
• Summary: Photograph shows soldiers on a motorcyle ambulance at the Hero Land Bazaar held in November and December of 1917 in New York City during World War I. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2015)

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Another nice WW1 Indian

Cpl Coleman,

An excellent photograph showing the ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance, which could be used for either a single or a double stretcher.

The photograph's reference to ' Hero Land ' refers to The Hero Land Exhibition/Exposition which was held at New York's Grand Central Palace, from November 24 to December 12, 1917, where that particular ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance was on display.

Two of the most prominent exhibits, were the British tank ' Britannia ', and the captured German U-Boat UC5.

As an advertisement in the November 24, 1917, New York Times noted: " Hero Land is a 16-Day Military Pageant, Theatrical Entertainment, Oriental Wonderland and Charity Mart; Devised, Created, Managed, and Financed by One Hundred Approved National War Relief Organization for the Benefit of American and Allied Relief."... " the object … is to bring home in vivid pictures to the American people some of the actualities of warfare as carried on by the Germans."

The Grand Central Palace itself was transformed. The first floor included a grand ballroom modeled after Versailles and the third floor was given over to a re-creation of the streets of Baghdad. There were reproductions of forts, trench lines, bomb shelters, and battlefields, including the British tank " Britannia " and a captured German submarine/U-Boat UC5. There was also entertainment: five moving picture theaters ( some showing actual war footage ), an ice skating rink, restaurants, bands, dancing, and shopping, as well as special events every evening.

More than 250,000 people attended Hero Land , creating a net profit of $571,438 (about $10.3 million today) to be dispersed among one hundred war relief charities.

For those interested in the Hero Land Exhibition, here is a link to a previous Thread with information and photographs relating to the ' Hero Land ' Exhibition.

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=178381&hl=%2Bhero+%2Bland

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance was photographed carrying two stretchered patients, and also carrying a single stretchered patient.

It may have been that the ' Indian ' Motor Cycle Ambulance's combination was constructed using an expandable two-tier metal latticed framework, which could be raised to carry two patients lying on stretchers, or lowered to carry just one patient, or there may have been two completely different versions of the ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance, one for two patients, and the other for a single patient. It would have made more sense for the Motorcycle Ambulance's combination to have been adjustable to carry either one or two stretchered patients.

The attached two photographs, show the ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance carrying both one and two stretchered patients.

In the first photograph, we have a good view of the two-tier metal framework carrying two stretchered patients.

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.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The ' Indian ' Motorcycle Ambulance carrying one stretchered patient.

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.