#welsbike

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The Welbike was a British motorcycle produced during World War II. It had the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces. Between 1942 and 1943, 3,641 units were built. Some were issued to the British 1st and 6th Airborne Divisions and some were used at Arnhem during Operation Market Garden. Designed to fit into a CLE Canister (the standard parachute airdrop container). There was very limited space, so the Welbike, which was carried in the container at an angle, had no suspension, no lights and just a single rear brake. Once deployed, they were easily assembled and ready for use as quickly as possible. The aim was that a paratrooper could remove the Welbike from its special green container (which was marked in white lettering with the words Motor Cycle and its easily identified coloured parachute), and be on the road within 11 seconds. Powered by a Villiers 98 cm3 (6.0 cu in) single-cylinder two-stroke petrol engine. The range on maximum capacity of 6.5 imperial pints (3.7 L; 7.8 US pt) of fuel was 90 miles (140 km) at about 30 mph (48 km/h). - Who used to read Commando? - #welsbike #ww2 #commandocomics #commado #para #parachuteregiment #airbourne #denisonsmock #stengun #worldwar2 #wwii #comics #kidsstuff #formfollowsfunction https://www.instagram.com/p/B-UEO3VDwu7/?igshid=e5f66iqsus5l