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Bicycle

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Postcard of Bicycle.
000-190-004-375-C
© National Museums Scotland

Bicycle

This lightweight folding bicycle was built by B.S.A. around 1942 for use by the British Army. It has been restored by students of Telford College in Edinburgh.

The bicycle is pictured here unfolded. It consists of two sections - the fore, made up of a forward wheel and steering handle; and the aft, made up of a seat, pedal bracket and rear wheel. The hinged section is tightened by a simple wing nut. The bicycle is painted olive drab in colour and is marked 'BSA' on the pedal sprocket, and 'BSA MODEL NUMBER 40' on the saddle.

The B.S.A. folding bicycle was built for the purpose of air transporting to Special Operations' Executive (SOE) agents located behind enemy line during World War II. These specially trained personnel would be flown into enemy-held territory under cover of darkness and would then liaise with local resistance movements. The bicycle would not only act as a means of transportation but would also help to make the agents less conspicuous.


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Online ID: 000-190-004-375-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1976.61
Date: Around 1942
C. 1942
Material: Inscription: BSA; BSA MODEL NUMBER 40
Dimensions: 69.00" x 19.00" x 39.00"
What: Bicycle, folding
Subject: 15. ROAD TRANSPORT, Muscle power (Departmental Classification)
Who: B.S.A. (Maker)
British Army (Owner)
Telford College (Restorer)
Where: GREAT BRITAIN
Event: World War II
Description: Lightweight folding bicycle built by B.S.A. for use by the British Army, c. 1942, and restored by students of Telford College
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