Description
x2 Royal Enfield – Waterslide (tank sides)
x1 RE Gun – Waterslide (headstock)
The 346cc SV WD/C Royal Enfield became the company’s main production model for the War Office for almost two years between 1940 and early 1942. The production of this first WD/C contract must have started towards the end of November 1939. A total of 284 WD/Cs were built in 1939.
During the production period, the type was subject to numerous changes and improvements. There were specification changes for nearly every contract issued, although most of these modifications were to the cycle parts and fittings rather than mechanical components.
Early WD/Cs had bolt-together fork legs, aluminium brake plates, rubber-mounted handlebars (of which some had mounting points for the levers attached), a lock on the rectangular tool-box, number-plates, a small rear carrier and a top-fed float chamber; they did not have filters on the timing-chest cover, pannier bag racks or pillion facilities.
As time went on changes had to be made to suit new requirements; the aluminium brake plates were replaced by steel ones (due to shortage of aluminium and the needs of the Aircraft Industry), racks and pillion facilities were eventually added, a rigid fixing for the handlebars was introduced to prevent them rotating, and a filter added to the engine-timing cover to improve the life of the big-end. Other minor changes were made to the design of the forks, tool-box knobs, and grass leg, among other things.
It should be mentioned that, contrary to popular belief, the WD/C was not identical to the later model OHV WD/CO (engines apart). It was virtually a completely different motorcycle, and very little was interchangeable between the LWO. (Engine crankcases, gear-boxes and frames were totally different.)
Although production of the WD/C ceased during late 1941/early 1942 (deliveries to the War Office terminating during early 1942), the model continued in service until the end of the war, chiefly with the Army and a number with the RAF. Most were used for light communications and convoy escort duty roles for most of their service, use of the type gradually diminishing during late 1944.
Following the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, the WD/C Royal Enfield was among the first types of War Office machinery to be sold off to a transport-hungry public.