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  • #16
    I find much from the Govt. about MOTORCYCLE paint colors during the war. Although my research was somewhat vague, especially Indian's data during the war years. It was like there was a black hole, void of information regarding the Indians. I also discovered there was a pretty big battle at the WigWam about the stock numbers and inventory status.
    Since the part numbers were allegedly changed to Military serial numbering, much of the inventories were mixed up, incomplete or totally missing. I understand that most Chiefs were exported, mostly to Eastern Europe and some to South America, New Zealand and Australia.
    I don't have the totals, but I read somewhere that there were about 2200 Domestic EU Chiefs produced during 1944-45.
    Maybe someone in the lands down under might be able to help out with the export production numbers more accurately than I can provide.

    As for colors of Grey, when I looked up "Military Grey"... I found a treasure trove of "Grey" that the Military used, from around the '40's until more recently. Many of the grey's were only used for a few years, in various campaigns, around the globe. Some were distinctly different, others were similar in tint or hue. Some were used as camouflage to inhibit submarines, aircraft, and early radar detection. Later used by the US Air Force, the grey color became a staple for the military armament, and the Army's OD Green, took a back seat to a more palatable (peacetime) color.
    The same for the different BLUE's in the color spectrum. Later, during the many middle Eastern conflicts, after 1948, the familiar shades of TAN or BROWN were applied to Military equipment. Referred to as Desert Brown, there is alot of variables, too. Probably according to region, or era, the colors vary widely. As well as the patterns of the camouflage.
    I have no idea which General pulled rank, and got first pick of his favorite shade of the appropriate color. I can only imagine.

    An interesting study, researching military colors became TMI for me, a big reason why I chose '1945 JEEP Grey' for the color of my project... introduction of the Military Jeep ended up as the replacement Military vehicle for motorcycles as a combat weapon during the war... motorcycles then became a more ancillary part of the MIC (Military Industrial Complex).

    as a side note, after I saw the movie "50 shades of Grey", I thought the story would make good conversion about my color choice, depending who I was speaking with... ha,ha !!

    C2K

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    • #17
      I'm pleasantly pleased to see there are so many variations in these EU Chiefs. The numbers are so few, and original parts are hard to find, so they are being ridden just the way they are. That's what I plan to do.
      Scott Larson
      AMCA #13589
      Omaha Chapter

      1953 HD FLE
      1971 HD FLH
      1971 Triumph Bonneville 650
      1973 Norton Commando 750

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      • #18
        You do not have permission to view this gallery.
        This gallery has 1 photos.
        Pisten Bully is Harry Roberts in Vermont.

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        • #19
          Revisiting this thread... I've looked and looked, still a dead end of finding the recommended book.

          Any advice where I might find a copy of "An American in Paris, the story of the Indian 74 model 340

          I have reached out to several 'out of print' book locator sites. So far, no response. Any help here would be greatly appreciated,

          Roger C2K

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          • #20
            I got my copy directly from Martin, have you tried to reach him?
            Robbie Knight Amca #2736

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            • #21
              Thanks for the reply. No, I have not contacted the author. Would you have an address, phone, or any other contact info ? Thanks.

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              • #22
                I found he's on Facebook, but that site's not for me, thanks. I'll try another way, thanks.

                C2K

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                • #23
                  sure a shame the clowns in charge of Indian bankrupted it.
                  Steve Swan

                  27JD 11090 Restored
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUPIOo7-o8
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuptEAlU30

                  27JD 13514 aka "Frank"
                  https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...n-Project-SWAN
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNRB...nnel=steveswan

                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSDeuTqD9Ks
                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlIsZKmsTY

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                  • #24
                    I was able to get my copy from Jim Parker at Parkerindian.com, though a little pricey. You will pay $140.00 total to get it here.
                    -JR

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                    • #25
                      My daughter made contact with the author, Martin M. Bogaert. He is sending a price quote from Denmark, where he is located. He told my daughter to expect the cost sending the book to the US to be quite pricy. Mr Bogaert has several copies available. I let you all know where we end up in a few days.

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by Steve Swan View Post
                        sure a shame the clowns in charge of Indian bankrupted it.
                        I think Indian was a VERY complex story during, and after WW2, Steve. I honestly believe that the management of Indian was sincere, and intent on keeping the brand progressive, and profitable. American companies have always been at the 'front-line' of feast, or famine if they were not politically connected, (just like England) and we can see how badly that has played out for many old line American, and British manufacturers. I think Indian played it's hole card too early, put too much in the pot, didn't cover all the bases with their vertical models after the war, and should have kept, and improved the beloved 'Big Twin' American Chief. However, I think Indian was trying to read the tea leaves of post war America, and genuinely believed they were on the right track. I would love to hear other member's opinions and comments about Indian, and always enjoyable to have a healthy exchange of ideas.
                        Eric Smith
                        AMCA #886

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by exeric View Post

                          I think Indian was a VERY complex story during, and after WW2, Steve. I honestly believe that the management of Indian was sincere, and intent on keeping the brand progressive, and profitable. American companies have always been at the 'front-line' of feast, or famine if they were not politically connected, (just like England) and we can see how badly that has played out for many old line American, and British manufacturers. I think Indian played it's hole card too early, put too much in the pot, didn't cover all the bases with their vertical models after the war, and should have kept, and improved the beloved 'Big Twin' American Chief. However, I think Indian was trying to read the tea leaves of post war America, and genuinely believed they were on the right track. I would love to hear other member's opinions and comments about Indian, and always enjoyable to have a healthy exchange of ideas.
                          Eric, thank you for your thoughtful comments; your points are well taken. The Chief could have been updated. The Torque bikes were, imo, cool. I've always heard not resuming Scout production postwar was a mistake. Too bad Indian couldn't have benefited from the boom economy of the 50's. Royal Enfield twins masquerading as a Chief were appalling.
                          Steve Swan

                          27JD 11090 Restored
                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClUPIOo7-o8
                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuptEAlU30

                          27JD 13514 aka "Frank"
                          https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/...n-Project-SWAN
                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNRB...nnel=steveswan

                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSDeuTqD9Ks
                          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwlIsZKmsTY

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            I agree with you, Steve. Indian had some good intentions, and direction but interesting how it all went 'pear shaped' on them. Like American car companies that tried to make and sell fuel saving cars in the early '60s and got stiffed by a public that wanted big cars. . . . I always remember that at swap meets, where buying is a lot more fun than selling.
                            Eric Smith
                            AMCA #886

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