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1917 |
Model Range On the 3 November 1916 civilian production was suspended by the British Government's Ministry of Munitions. John Marston Ltd issued an over-stamped 1916 catalogue for 1917. 1916 machines were available from stock. As a result of the Russian Government's decision in 1916 to mechanise its army, Marston's was contracted by the Ministry of Munitions to supply 850 v-twin 8 h.p. side-car machines and 500 solo machines. Despite the Tsar being deposed in April 1917 the contract continued until the summer of 1917. The 3½ h.p. Sunbeam solo machine was considered too low a capacity for the Russian Government. Their specification resulted in Marston producing a v-twin solo machine using a 5 h.p. (654cc) JAP engine installed in a modified 3½ h.p. frame. Similarly, the 8 h.p. MAG-engined model from 1916 was modified to take an 8 h.p. JAP engine of 996cc (85.5x85mm). A slightly altered frame, increasing the wheel-base from 60 inches to 61.5 inches, and larger 28 inch wheels provided the space and ground clearance for the JAP-engine. The belt-driven French military model which had commenced production the previous year continued.
Sources: |
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T H E Y E A R ' S M O D E L S |
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| 3½ h.p. Standard model / War
Department GS (General Service) model - no photo
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| 8 h.p. (996cc) JAP v-twin model
- no photo
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| 5 h.p. (554cc) JAP v-twin Russian Military
solo model
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An early
photo showing Sunbeam's Russian Military solo model with its v-twin JAP
engine. Photo courtesy of Juris Ramba from Latvia who is restoring this model [link]
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| 4 h.p. (550cc) French Military model
- no photo
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| Return to: Know your 'Beams |
