And what country can preserve its liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
The P-39 and the Russian gear of the pilot makes me think a Russian Ural, but those are opposed cylinder. I cannot see that detail. The US did not like the P-39 because they tried to use it as a fighter. The Russians took them and used them for ground attack very successfully. They even used it for air to air using different tactics than the US, but I suspect they were successful because of decreasing German numbers and expertise. Maybe the cycle was US made and lend lease? The picture is not clear but I think I see a gear shift know by the gas tank making it perhaps a Indian.
The P-39 only had a single-stage, single-speed supercharger so it wasn't going to do very good at higher altitudes (aka western front). However, most combat on the eastern front was at much lower altitudes (8,000-ish ft) where it was competitive. It also had a 37-mm cannon in the nose which made it a decent ground attack airplane.
The P-39 and the Russian gear of the pilot makes me think a Russian Ural, but those are opposed cylinder. I cannot see that detail. The US did not like the P-39 because they tried to use it as a fighter. The Russians took them and used them for ground attack very successfully. They even used it for air to air using different tactics than the US, but I suspect they were successful because of decreasing German numbers and expertise. Maybe the cycle was US made and lend lease? The picture is not clear but I think I see a gear shift know by the gas tank making it perhaps a Indian.
ReplyDeleteThe P-39 only had a single-stage, single-speed supercharger so it wasn't going to do very good at higher altitudes (aka western front). However, most combat on the eastern front was at much lower altitudes (8,000-ish ft) where it was competitive. It also had a 37-mm cannon in the nose which made it a decent ground attack airplane.
DeleteGoogle Lens:
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be a Harley-Davidson WLA, a military motorcycle produced for the U.S. Army during World War II.
Model Name:
The "WLA" stands for W family, Low compression (later high), and Army.
Wartime Production:
Over 90,000 units were manufactured between 1940 and 1945.
Distinctive Features:
These bikes featured Olive Drab paint, a springer front end, and accessories like a rifle scabbard and ammunition box.
Nicknames:
It was commonly known as "The Liberator".
I'm going with WLA.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.slashgear.com/img/gallery/which-harley-davidson-motorcycles-did-the-us-military-use-in-ww2/intro-1754518904.jpg
WLA, Dad had one that he painted white and rode during the 60's and 70's.
ReplyDeleteIt's a well-used WLA.
ReplyDeleteHarley 45 wla
ReplyDelete