G519 Columbia MG121984. Essex, England.

[Pedro96]

Hi All, thought id share my G519 frame that I collected today from southern England. As you can see from the photos, it will be a long slow restoration due to the amount of parts needed. I'm hoping to put some modern components on it initially only to get it up and running until correct original parts can be sourced and fitted.
Interestingly, this has some history behind it. This was purchased/ acquired by a local resident during the war from USAAF personnel from nearby RAF Wethersfield when it was under control of 416th Bomb Group who operated medium bombers. When I googled the unit the first aircraft I saw was named "For Petes Sake" so that made it a lot easier with naming it once finished at least.
I'll post the occasional update as and when work is carried out.
If anyone has any spare parts knocking around or knows anyone that does, no matter how big or small, let me know as I'd be interested in them to get this project up and ridable.
Thanks,
Pete

Ps, before anyone asks, yes this is the one recently listed on Ebay and no I didn't pay the asking price!!

 

[blackcat]

Hello;
Great find, it deserves a beautiful restoration to give it a second life
The 416th Bomb Group was based in Melun-Villaroche from September 24, 1944 to February 12, 1945 40km south of my home.
Regards;
Serge

 

[Pedro96]

Hello;
Great find, it deserves a beautiful restoration to give it a second life
The 416th Bomb Group was based in Melun-Villaroche from September 24, 1944 to February 12, 1945 40km south of my home.
Regards;
Serge

Thanks Serge! Started to ask around with any components which may be available so hopefully I'll have a few bits ready to make a good start later this year.
Oh wow small world with the 416th BG for sure. Ive now entered a rabbit hole of researching them and their history. Be nice if there are some photos including a 519 somewhere

 

[Mercian]

Hi all, Pete @Pedro96

Pete discussed this frame with me at the weekend.

It is the one previously seen here: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/w...084-and-mg121309-beauty-and-the-beast.241150/

However, I misread the 9 for a 0, so the true number is MG121984/J10. Sorry about that.

MG121984/J10 is a frame made in October 1942, but not built up until at least March 1943.

As can be seen from the list of survivors below, there was a large batch of G519 built around September/October 1942 with J9 and J10 frame codes. This batch completed about November, with a small batch of civilian bikes following, the first of these with a frame date of J11, November 1942.

In January 1942 a further batch of G519 started, These had K1, K2 and K3 (Jan, Feb, March) frame dates, but there was also an occasional earlier dated (J10 on the survivors) frame used randomly in production.

Pete's frame is the last known survivor of this batch, but is a J10.

Pete's bike is also the latest survivor known with the Coffin type chainring, before the Sweetheart one was introduced...

Best Regards, Adrian

 

[blackcat]

Hello @Pedro96 ;
I don't have any photos but you can easily find them on Google on the history of the 416th BG.
Regards;
Serge

 

[Pedro96]

Hello @Pedro96 ;
I don't have any photos but you can easily find them on Google on the history of the 416th BG.
Regards;
Serge

Hi Serge,
I've found the below link which looks to be a wealth of information so that's a fair few evenings sorted now!

https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/unit/416th-bomb-group

Thanks,
Pete