Keeping eyes out for original US Military bike photos.

[Huffy45]

Two original snapshots I picked up, arriving this week from eBay.

Posed photos in front of a few G519 bikes. Huffman up front. Clear shot of tool bag, delta lights, handlebars turned down.

Aaron

 

[Mercian]

Hi Aaron @Huffy45

You really have your eye in for these (-: If you turn up some Compax in military use that would be rather excellent...

I guess from the straight bar Huffman, PSP and AN6550 flight suit that these are mid/late war USAAF quarters.

 

[Jonesy]

Any details on the rear Aaron?

 

[Huffy45]

Only what’s seen here. All three bikes hang persons tool bags off the saddle. One bike (dented fender) is missing rear reflector, no unit markings painted. Pretty bog standard bikes!

If you’re talking details written on the reverse of the photos, I await them to land in my mailbox to see!

Aaron

 

[redline1968]

@Mercian @barneyguey - The boxes affixed to the bikes are marked USO, I would guess these bikes could have been used for fundraising of war bonds or similar.

They look to be the victory models but a few fat tires in the mix. I will scan the photo for details once it arrives.


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--- Addendum research added.

Fort George Meade (where these soldiers are departing from) was home to the Special Services entertainment branch of the military.

The unit was created on 7/22/1940. Special Services opened their first Recreational Officer school at Fort Meade Maryland on 4/1/1942.

Special Services not only used its own specially trained and talented troops but also would often engage local performers. Among its activities were staging plays and stage acts, holding concerts, filming documentaries, and providing recreational opportunities for servicemen.

Entertainers and well know personalities were trained in all phases of the Special Services Field. These Included Glen Miller, Jack Benny, and Joe Lewis.

Aaron

The one bike ridden by a soldier is a Shelby ..it has the rare airflow bars..

 

[Huffy45]

Original photo negative available on eBay depicting a soldier at a barracks with a Columbia G-519. This has four days left at auction.

Delta light is missing the lense, tire pump and tool bag in view, bell is mounted upside down center of bars. Handlebar grip end possibly broken.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Aaron

 

[Huffy45]

New addition!

This Tel-Pic dated June 5, 1943 shows PFC Wayne Snyder repairing a Westfield Columbia G-519 in Atlantic City, NJ.

Titled: ODD-JOBS IN THE ARMY

Atlantic City, N. J.-The Army uses almost every form of transporstation, and keeping bicycles in repair provides Pvt. FC Wayne Snyder of Allentown, Pa., shown above, busy fixing the wheels. The bikes are used by messengers for long trips between stations.

This is a whopping 9.5x8.5" print meant for newspaper distribution so it will make a huge addition to my little collection!

The Columbia has a placard that reads “WING D” most likely medical use bicycle.