oth the RT 100 and the RT 125 were copied in England during World War II. From 1939 Royal Enfield built the RE model, also known as "The Flying Flea". Packed in wooden crates, the "Flying Flea" was parachuted from planes destined for British ground forces. From 1939 WSK in Poland and Jawa in what was then Czechoslovakia also built the RT 125 as licensed versions.
No longer patent-protected after the Second World War, the RT 125 became the most copied motorcycle in the world.[1][2] Many well-known manufacturers copied the motorcycle down to the smallest detail.
Although the Flying Flea was similar it was not a copy. It was built as a response to losing the importation of the DKW RT100 but not a copy. The most famous copies were the BSA Bantam and the Harley Hummer. The BSA was actually a mirror image copy with everything reversed!
he "Flying Flea" model was developed in 1936 at the request of the former Dutch DKW importer from the widespread 98 ccm DKW RT after DKW had withdrawn the license for "religious reasons".
Royal Enfield proposed building a machine that would be close to the DKW design but with a displacement of 125cc. From the beginning, the motorcycle was designed in such a way that it could be dropped by parachute together with airborne units. The so-called "Bird Cage" was used for this purpose, in which the machine was used before it was dropped. A parachute was attached to the bird cage, which opened automatically after the drop. Thus, the landed troops could be quickly motorized. The principle was so simple and effective that the Flying Flea was used in its bird cage in almost all theaters of war in Europe.
Oh,DKW RT 125
ReplyDeleteAnother war plunder DKW ripoff. Wait, how did the Japanese qualify?
ReplyDeleteoth the RT 100 and the RT 125 were copied in England during World War II. From 1939 Royal Enfield built the RE model, also known as "The Flying Flea". Packed in wooden crates, the "Flying Flea" was parachuted from planes destined for British ground forces. From 1939 WSK in Poland and Jawa in what was then Czechoslovakia also built the RT 125 as licensed versions.
ReplyDeleteNo longer patent-protected after the Second World War, the RT 125 became the most copied motorcycle in the world.[1][2] Many well-known manufacturers copied the motorcycle down to the smallest detail.
Although the Flying Flea was similar it was not a copy. It was built as a response to losing the importation of the DKW RT100 but not a copy. The most famous copies were the BSA Bantam and the Harley Hummer. The BSA was actually a mirror image copy with everything reversed!
ReplyDeletehe "Flying Flea" model was developed in 1936 at the request of the former Dutch DKW importer from the widespread 98 ccm DKW RT after DKW had withdrawn the license for "religious reasons".
ReplyDeleteRoyal Enfield proposed building a machine that would be close to the DKW design but with a displacement of 125cc. From the beginning, the motorcycle was designed in such a way that it could be dropped by parachute together with airborne units. The so-called "Bird Cage" was used for this purpose, in which the machine was used before it was dropped. A parachute was attached to the bird cage, which opened automatically after the drop. Thus, the landed troops could be quickly motorized. The principle was so simple and effective that the Flying Flea was used in its bird cage in almost all theaters of war in Europe.
Who is the guy on the far right in the white shirt?
ReplyDeleteYes, I'd love to know more about this shot!
ReplyDeletehttps://global.yamaha-motor.com/design_technology/technology/daysgoneby/001/
ReplyDelete