Description
x2 Norton Gold – Waterslide (tank sides)
x2 Census Numbers – White Vinyl or Stencils (tank sides)
x1 Norton – Waterslide (rear mudguard)
x1 Oil Bath – Waterslide (chaincase)
Please note the transfers won’t glue to the tank or other painted parts when they are matte painted, best is to first spray a glossy or semi-gloss varnish, and then apply the transfer, and then spray with matte varnish, that will be the safest, or it will fall off eventually.
Norton’s Military Motorcycle Contributions
General Overview
- Norton was a leading supplier of motorcycles to the British armed forces during WWII, second in production only to BSA.
- Models like the 16H and Big 4 were used extensively, with the 16H being the most enduring design.
- Military contracts often resulted in annual orders with specific modifications to meet War Office needs.
Model Highlights
Norton Model 16H (1936-1945):
- A 500 cc single-cylinder motorcycle, widely adopted for military use.
- Annual production from 1936 to the end of WWII.
- Key modifications included foot-change gearboxes, pannier racks, and canvas grips.
- Utilized in multiple roles: front-line, training, and second-line units.
- Continued in limited military service until the late 1950s.
Norton Model No. 1 ‘Big 4’ Combination:
- A 633 cc sidecar combination used for all-terrain duties and reconnaissance.
- Featured sidecar wheel drive (SWD) for enhanced cross-country performance.
- Replaced by the Jeep by mid-war under the Lend-Lease program.
- Phased out as a front-line vehicle by early 1943.
Experimental and Prototype Models:
- Lightened 16H (1936): Tested but rejected due to cost concerns.
- SWD 16H & Big 4 (1938): Improved cross-country performance; trials showed high utility.
- Spring Frame Models (1939): Offered better comfort but had mixed results in trials.
- 350 cc Lightweight Models (1939-1940): Tested for portability but deemed unreliable.
- 596 cc ‘Big 4’ Upgrade (1940): Offered better power but suffered reliability issues.
- 1096 cc V-Twin (1940-41): A proposal for a faster, powerful combination, halted by Jeep’s arrival.
- 500 cc SV Parallel Twin (1944): A prototype for standardization but lost out to Triumph’s TRW.
Notable Contributions and Legacy
- Norton pioneered designs like silencers and pannier racks, widely adopted across military motorcycles.
- Their models influenced wartime motorcycling standards, even as other manufacturers took precedence in specific roles or technologies.
- While ultimately replaced by more modern or versatile vehicles like the Jeep, Norton motorcycles were a staple of British military logistics and operations during WWII.
This breakdown captures Norton’s evolution, key models, and their impact on military operations.