1936-1945 Norton War Model Transfer Set

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.