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Indian
Motorcycle in World War Two
Springfield, MA
1901-1953
In 2011 Polaris
purchased the Indian name and now produces Indian Motorcycles.
This page updated 5-21-2019.
The Indian Motorcycle Company won the
Army-Navy "E' Award three times during WWII.
The first award was won in September 1943.
Indian Motorcycle World War Two Production Statistics: The
table below shows that Indian built a minimum of 38,827 motorcycles
during WWII. While the table below shows no
motorcycle production for 1945, one source indicates the plant was
working 60 hours a week and had 400,000 square feet of manufacturing
floor space when the war ended. Indian Motorcycle most
likely had non-motorcycle related contracts for the plant to be working
that many hours. The unused manufacturing capacity would not have
been wasted. The numbers in the table below are in rough agreement
with motorcycle output with other sources as noted below. Many of
the Indian motorcycles went to the countries of the United Kingdom,
especially the Model 741 that was designed specifically for the British
Purchasing Commission.
Between 1940 and 1945 Indian delivered $24
million worth of motorcycles and spare parts for the war effort.
Indian
World War Two
Motorcycles Accepted by Detroit Ordnance, US Army
The information below comes from "Summary Report of
Acceptances, Tank-Automotive Material, 1940-1945"
Published by Army Services Forces, Office, Chief of
Ordnance-Detroit, Production Division, Requirements and
Progress Branch
January 21, 1946. |
|
Type |
Indian Model |
1940 |
1941 |
1942 |
1943 |
1944 |
1945 |
Total |
|
45 Cu. In. Chain Drive |
45-640B |
507 |
2,022 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2,531 |
|
45 Cu. In. Shaft Drive |
841 |
0 |
0 |
667 |
333 |
0 |
0 |
1,000 |
|
30 Cu. In. Chain Drive |
741 |
0 |
892 |
19,372 |
11,731 |
0 |
0 |
31,995 |
|
Motorcycle, Chain Drive, w/Sidecar |
340-B |
1,560 |
105 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1,665 |
|
Motorcycle, Chain Drive, w/Sidecar |
344 |
|
|
|
|
1,620 |
|
1,620 |
|
Motor Tricycles |
WTC-18 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
|
Total |
|
2,067 |
3,035 |
20,041 |
12,064 |
1,620 |
0 |
38,827 |
Author's Note
and Disclaimer: The Detroit Office
of Ordnance of the U.S. Army was the primary purchasing entity for vehicles for the U.S. Army during WWII. It also purchased
vehicles for the USMC, US Navy, and for Lend-Lease. However,
there were other organizations that also purchased vehicles,
including the Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army Air Force, U.S.
Army Signal Corps, Navy Bureau of Ordnance, Navy
Bureau of Aeronautics, and foreign countries making direct
purchases.
One source indicates Indian built 16,456
Model 741s in 1943 and 3,881 for 1944, of which 1,700 were for police
and civilian use. The same source shows from 1942-1945 total
Indian Motorcycle production was 39,000. This is close to the
numbers shown above.
|
Indian Serial Numbers for World War Two Motorcycles |
|
Model |
Frame Serial Numbers |
Engine Serial Numbers |
USA Registration numbers |
|
340-B |
340-101 and up |
CDO-101
and up |
61734-61743, 61749-61975, 61999, 62002-62995, 63726-63729,
73938-64247, 64278-64287,69051-69055 |
|
344 |
344-101 and up |
CDD-101 and up |
These
were ordered for Lend-Lease with Registration numbers:
699680-69999, 610000-6101299 |
|
640-B |
640-101
and up |
FDO-101 and up |
640940-65430, 66648-69047, 69056-69277, 642363 |
|
741 |
741-101 and up |
Unknown |
Unknown |
| 841 |
841-101 and up |
HDA101 and up |
Partial 615903-616092 |
Model 640:
The photos below were taken at the
2018 WWII Weekend at Reading, PA.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Model 741:
The photos below were taken at the
Museum of Military History in Kissimmee, FL.
The Model 741 was designed at the request of the British Purchasing
Commission to provide a motorcycle that was more fuel efficient than the
existing Indian and Harley-Davidson 45 Cu. In. models. The 741 was
used in Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
The Model 741 below is described at the museum
as being built in 1941, making it one of 892 built that year.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Author's photo added 8-4-2018.
Model 741:
The photos below were taken at the
2018 WWII Weekend at Reading, PA.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
This is serial number 32212, which is a
higher number than the number of 741s accepted by Detroit Army Ordnance,
which indicates that there were purchases by other organizations. The
date of 7-14-1943 is in the ball park for when this should have been
built, based on the serial numbers. Author's photo.
This 741 does not have a serial number on
the data plate. Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Author's photo.
Model 741:
The photos below were taken at the
2019 TBM Reunion at Peru, IL.
According to the piece of paper on the
handlebars, this is a 1941 Indian 741.
Author's photo added 5-21-2019.
Author's photo added 5-21-2019.
Author's photo added 5-21-2019.
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