During The First World War Royal Enfield
supplied motorcycles to the British War Department, including a machine
gun combination and the 6hp stretcher-carrying outfit. However the
company’s most famous military motorcycle is possibly the ‘Flying Flea’
that was developed for airbourne forces in the later stages of the Second
World War. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Airborne’, this lightweight 125cc
motorcycle could be fitted into a steel tubular cage called the ‘Bird
Cage’, which had a parachute attached to it and so could be dropped by
parachute with airborne troops.
Royal Enfield opened a plant in Madras in 1949 to supply
motorcycles to the Indian army. Since then the plant has supplied over
100,000 machines to the Indian army and a further 25,000 to the Police.
The current Army specification Royal Enfield looks
almost identical to the original 350cc Bullet of 1949 at first glance, but
is fitted with many discreet modern conveniences, including a 5-speed
gearbox, electric starter and 12-volt electrics. However, a classic 500cc
single cylinder engine with an authentic exhaust note powers it. These
machines are painted olive green (including the mudguards and engine
casings) and fitted with a heavy-duty rack with “ammo box” panniers and
crash bars, as supplied to the Indian Army. It complies with all current
European regulations so it is fully road legal and is available via Royal
Enfield's nationwide dealer network.
Click HERE to find out more about
buying a brand new classic.
