World War II saw many manufacturers contributing to the war affort. In England, Ariel developed the W/NG 350 and delivered the prototype this day in 1940.
The W/NG produced 17bhp from its 350cc single cylinder engine and was based on the Ariel Red Hunter but given a lower compression ratio and softer valve timing.
They were supplied from 1940 to 1945 and featured dual triangular tool boxes, pannier frames for bags, rear carrying racks and headlamp masks. Rubber items were impossible to source from 1942 because of a shortage of rubber, so handgrips were made from canvas and footrests from steel. As the war progressed, aluminium also became scarce and pressed steel was used for the primary chaincase and timing covers.
About 10% of the first batch of 2000 machines went to the French army. Many ended up in the hands of the German army. In total, around 47,000 were manufactured.
One went to Nanny McPhee
