Danish Army
Specific: Approx. 800 units,
new and used, delivered in 1946 - 47.
Here shown used by the MP detachment of the Danish
Brigade in Germany after WW II.
Historical: Ariel was one of many manufacturers
in England to supply motorcycles for the war effort.
In August 1939 Ariel offered the 1939 VA 497cm3 OHV
single for evaluation against the War Office's Norton
16H. They also tested the 1939 W/VA 497cc side-valve
single which had been lightened. The Ariels performed
very well, but by the end of testing Ariel had designed a
new prototype, the W/NG.
The new 1940 W/NG was a 348cm3 OHV single that was based
on a winning Scottish six-day Trials bike, and it was
ready by mid-1940. The French government immediately
placed an order.
The British War Office only rated it as "fair, for
use only in emergency purposes" by August 1940.
However, due to the massive evacuation of Dunkirk in May
1940 and the loss of the majority of England's top
equipment, the War Office began ordering replacement
motorcycles from all British makers.
Ariel then supplied all possible models including
civilian orders and even used bikes in good order. VH
& VG (500 OHV singles), NH & NG (350 OHV
singles), and even the VB (598cm3 SV single) models were
put into service, although most of these only saw
mainland war service for training & civil defense
uses.
The W/NG models were supplied from 1939 - 45 and featured
several unique parts over their production life. Dual
tool boxes were standard, as were pannier frames, bags,
rear carrying rack, and headlamp mask. Most rubber items
were discontinued in 1942 - 43 due to severe rubber
shortages, so the handgrips were made from canvas, the
footrests were cast steel, and a solid clamp replaced the
rubber handlebar mounts. In an effort to conserve
aluminum alloy, a pressed steel primary chaincase and
timing cover were used.
Length: 2.13 m (84 inches).
Width: 0.76 m (30 inches).
Height: 1.06 m (42 inches).
Weight: 169 kg (376 lb.).
Engine: Own 1-cylinder, 348 cm3 (21.2 cubic inches)
displacement, air cooled, carburetor.
Horsepower: 12.8 at 4.500 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed, type Burman.
Electrical system: 6 volt.
Brakes: Mechanical.
Tyres: 3.25 - 19.
Fuel type: Petrol.
Fuel capacity: 16 liter (2 5/8 gallons).
Range: 340 km (210 miles).
Crew: 1 + 1.
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