This was seen for sale at last Sunday's Malvern Militaria fair and it is another Royal Enfield motorcycle "Flying Flea" parachute drop cage. I don't believe that this cage is owned by the same person as the similar cage which I noticed for sale at a previous sale at this venue, but a different cage.
Last edited by Flying10uk; 11-18-2019 at 07:22 PM.
Never see those here.
Regards, Jim
Here is an image of the cage populated with an Enfield "Flying Flea" 125cc bike within it.
Built for comfort
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Thanks for the pics F10, but as stated last time and in my PM, I contacted a few big collectors of WD bikes etc and there is only about two known in existence and one of them was dug up at Arnhem, I doubt very much its original but have been wrong many times before !!!, but for something that is as rare as hens teeth and to have two with in the space of a few years, show up in the same place and with the same price tag I have my doubts.....
Last edited by bigduke6; 11-19-2019 at 07:21 PM.
Looks about the size of the 60cc Suzuki I had at 16. Wonder what a guy the size of Cinders would look like on it. Circus bear I should think...Originally Posted by Gil Boyd
Regards, Jim
I have now contacted the vendor to ask the simple question, "Do you have anything that proves that you have an original (cradle)?" The vendor promptly came back to me, without hesitation, to confirm that the cradle is indeed a reproduction, as has been suggested by bigduke6, but "very accurate", in the vendor's words. The vendor went on to tell me that he knows of 3 originals, all in museums. I have to say that it had "the look" of an original to me when I noticed it at the show.
If anyone is seriously interested in purchasing this reproduction cradle, I am happy to pass on the vendor's contact details if they wish to contact me by P.M.. I would add that I do not know the vendor personally, only that I met him at the show.
Of course it does, if he hadn't been taken to task he'd never have let on...
Regards, Jim
The image I posted is actually The Parachute Regiment Museum's example at Duxford postioned right outside our museum entrance next to the 25 pounder. If you ever want to have a closer look at the "original & actual" item let me know!!
Last edited by Gil Boyd; 11-20-2019 at 08:58 AM.
'Tonight my men and I have been through hell and back again, but the look on your faces when we let you out of the hall - we'd do it all again tomorrow.' Major Chris Keeble's words to Goose Green villagers on 29th May 1982 - 2 PARA
Maybe next time you could get a shot with you next to it for scale...I think I can imagine how big they are though. Like I compared...
Regards, Jim
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