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1945 Royal Enfield WD/RE Flying Flea Motorcycle
Manufacturer
Royal Enfield Motorcycles
Date1945
Dimensions193 x 66 x 99.1 cm (76 x 26 x 39 in)
59 kg (130 lb)
59 kg (130 lb)
Object numberR.2018.001.0020
CollectionReynolds-Alberta Museum Collection
Reynolds Terms
Engine: Vertical, single-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled
Displacement: 126 cc (7.6 ci)
Bore & Stroke: 54 x 50 mm (2.12 x 1.96 in)
Power: 1.93 kW (2.6 hp)
Transmission: 3-forward, manual
Weight: 59 kg (130 lb)
Original Cost: Unknown
In early 1942, the British War Office ordered twenty WD/RE motorcycles from Royal Enfield for testing as a lightweight motorcycle for use in front line service and for dropping with airborne troops. With its use in airborne operations, the machine quickly earned the nickname “Flying Flea”. Examples were also carried on tanks as a tender and served on beachheads to direct troops during amphibious landings.
Chronology:
1901 - Royal Enfield Company incorporated and first motorcycle produced
1914 - Supplied a large number of motorcycles to the British Army and also won a contract for the Russian government
1921-1939 - Several models developed including their first 4-stroke 350cc engine model in 1924
1939-1945 - Developed several models for the British Army
1942 - To avoid their factory being bombed, Enfield buitl an underground factory
1946-1954 - Enfield resumes production of civilian model motorcycles including the Model G and Model J
1948 - Royal Enfield develops a ground-breaking rear suspension springing that became very popular
1949-1963 - Royal Enfield released their first parallel twin motorcycle and introduced the 700cc Constellation Twin which has been credited as being the first superbike
1967 - Royal Enfield is sold to Norton-Villers
1970 - Royal Enfield motorcycle production ceases
2002 - Donor purchases motorcycle from Milford Bay area, Ontario, Canada
2018 - Donated to the Royal-Alberta Museum
1901 - Royal Enfield Company incorporated and first motorcycle produced
1914 - Supplied a large number of motorcycles to the British Army and also won a contract for the Russian government
1921-1939 - Several models developed including their first 4-stroke 350cc engine model in 1924
1939-1945 - Developed several models for the British Army
1942 - To avoid their factory being bombed, Enfield buitl an underground factory
1946-1954 - Enfield resumes production of civilian model motorcycles including the Model G and Model J
1948 - Royal Enfield develops a ground-breaking rear suspension springing that became very popular
1949-1963 - Royal Enfield released their first parallel twin motorcycle and introduced the 700cc Constellation Twin which has been credited as being the first superbike
1967 - Royal Enfield is sold to Norton-Villers
1970 - Royal Enfield motorcycle production ceases
2002 - Donor purchases motorcycle from Milford Bay area, Ontario, Canada
2018 - Donated to the Royal-Alberta Museum
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