WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

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OLDABEWLA
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WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by OLDABEWLA » Mon Apr 10, 2017 4:49 pm

Here is my latest addition is a original WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence plate # 638915 this registration number is past the end of the type III production but before the Type IV. According To Bruce's book these numbers were never issued to Harley or Indian?
The plate doesn't have the lusterless blue drab letters even though it still retains it's original OD Green paint.

Craig
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☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III


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Johan WILLAERT
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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Wed Apr 12, 2017 1:27 am

Wow, great find!!!

Absolutely no sign of blue drab color on the numbers????? Or white? Not painted over in OD??
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Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
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John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by OLDABEWLA » Wed Apr 12, 2017 9:12 am

Nope Johan,

No over paint this could explain why in the war time photographs it's very hard to read and see the plate numbers.
Also noted a higher registration number plate.

Craig
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by 17thAirborne » Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:46 am

Graig,
I am glad you won that auction. I love that display you are putting together. I hope you don't mind I posted it here :)
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Oz

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by Eldo » Mon May 01, 2017 5:05 am

That plate is really cool!
Are there any more particulars about the 841 in that book other than what's shown on that page?
1940 Indian Model 640-B Canadian Army
1941 Indian Model 841

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by OLDABEWLA » Mon May 01, 2017 3:01 pm

Yes, The registration numbers that were issued to what types of WWII US motorcycles.

I can look your bike up if you would like?

Oz,

Thanks for posting my display it came out nice. I'm also working on a military Harleys home front display as well.
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by Eldo » Tue May 02, 2017 4:03 am

OLDABEWLA wrote:Yes, The registration numbers that were issued to what types of WWII US motorcycles.

I can look your bike up if you would like?
Cool, thanks! My 841 is HDA 366. I also have another engine case but don't remember what the number is.
1940 Indian Model 640-B Canadian Army
1941 Indian Model 841

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by 1stCAVREG » Fri May 05, 2017 11:18 am

OLDABEWLA wrote:The plate doesn't have the lusterless blue drab letters even though it still retains it's original OD Green paint.
Actually your plate does have blue drab on it. Unfortunately it is only trace amounts. This may be due to the quality of the paint which allowed it to evaporate as it aged. The largest amount of the blue drab is on the period following the "A". There is more on the upper inside curve of the "S" and a few other spots but the bluest trace is the period.

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by OLDABEWLA » Fri May 05, 2017 6:10 pm

I saw this after close inspection it looks like it's almost could be cover over or gone?

Could the plate had been used for a replacement registration number?
As a engine swamp with a new engine or lost or serverly damaged plate due to the fact it's not registered on the list as being issued to certain type motorcycles?
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by BTGoguen » Fri Nov 23, 2018 4:16 pm

WLA License 1.jpg
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Recent online auction purchase. I have a type III WLA motor (42WLA23548) with matching belly numbers (42-24937) that I plan to match this with. Thought this would make a nice display with my other fully restored 1943 WLA motorcycle.

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by OLDABEWLA » Wed Nov 28, 2018 4:15 pm

Cool plate,

Any light blue drab paint on the high lights areas?

Craig
☆42WLA Harley-Davidson #19,246 Type III

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by BTGoguen » Wed Nov 28, 2018 6:48 pm

Yes there is some here and there, had to put it under a bright light and magnify it. Hope this helps out.
wla plate close up2.jpg
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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Thu Nov 29, 2018 9:22 am

Great find! Great plate! Thx for posting...

Trying to establish when the color of the numbers on the plate changed from white to blue drab...

With the pictures I have on file (and on my website) and the ones here
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=295946
I think there's a fair chance the color changed at end of production of the Type II 42WLA and beginning of Type III
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by BTGoguen » Thu Nov 29, 2018 4:17 pm

Hello Johan so glad to help you out, don't know if you remember me. You helped be out when I was in need of information when I was restoring my 1943 WLA Type III, I am working on another WLA Type III build. I have a good and clear front and back photograph of this tag if you need it for your file, thanks again. Brian & Carol Goguen

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Re: WWII US Army Motorcycle Licence Plate original

Post by Johan WILLAERT » Sat Dec 01, 2018 2:23 am

Hi Brian, yes, I remember...

Yes, would like a couple of good pictures of the front and back of the plate for my files and possible use on my website, which I need to update with this new plate info..
Please send to info@theliberator.be

BTW is the border around the plate blue drab too??

Cheers,

Johan
MVPA#14204
Huffman D50546 (1942)
Westfield Columbia MG138969 & MG140418 (1943)
HD 42WLA31854 (1943)
Ford GPW272xxx (1945)
Bantam T3 56433(Est) (1945)
John Wood M3A4 17564 (1943)
Johnston Lawn Mower Co RL35-A 1255 (1944)
BSA Mark V* T136102 (1944)
The Liberator


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