SM information

[Dave Page]

Hi Guys,
this is a tad off subject from CMPs (though motorcycles are softskin, aren't they?) but I thought I would ask anyway.
I would like information on SM2384 and SM2404. Namely official material on the quantity of Indian 741B's supplied, dates and whatever else can be found on those particular contracts.
Thanks,
Dave

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

The Census Book for DOMESTIC deliveries and therefore UK Theatre numbers quotes C 4896842 - 4898825; 4852859 - 4953033; 5574052 - 5575051 for Demand Supply Mechanical (SM or S/M) 2404 but nothing for the other Demand. Now, to qualify: in those batches could be batches so those could be complete runs or 'beytween these'. There could also be Mid-East Theatre issues outside those.

If you have not already done so may I suggest that you bite the bullet and visit the RLC Museum at Deepcut, and go and check their ex-Army Museum (messed-up/mixed-up) record cards? I don't think the Tank Museum in Bovington have any m/c cards but I may be wrong.

[Dave Page]

Hi David,
thanks for that information, I'll see if it lines-up with what I have. Wish I could just pop down to that location but I'm on the wrong side of the pond.
Thanks,
Dave

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Hi Dave...I rather guessed that! However I know so many people who pop over and do their research as the air fares are so cheap now. You might eb able to ask the Museum if they can look up for you but I have an 'orrible feeling that they can't. I might have a go one day and check out their Chev and GMC cards so it's something I might be able to combine with looking up the Indian cards.

[Richard Farrant]

Hello Dave,

For S/M 2404 I find WD census allocations as so;
C4896841-4898825, 4953034-4955034, 5574052-5575051. A Contract date of 13th Feb 1942
Delivery and destinations as so;
UK 4272, India 1000, India Admiralty 6, Australia 1816, West Africa Admiralty 4, Trinidad 6, Poland 671, New Zealand 1066, Crown Agents British Honduras 2, Crown Agents Mauritius 16, Crown Agents Ceylon 25, West African Air Ministry 80, Middle East Air Ministry 868, Belgian Congo 259, Jamaica 5, South Rhodesia 94, South Caribbean 8, UK (Min. of War Transport) 50.

For S/M 2384
C4895721-4896841 A Contract Date of 13th Feb. 1942
Delivery destinations;
UK 1390, Australia 1162, Admiralty of South Africa 72

All info from the book of Chris Orchard and Steve Madden, "British Forces Motorcycles".