Interesting thread. I know that Harry Carrington -who had Polio as a
child and wore a built up boot - knew that there would be a big demand for
cycles post war. He planned to start framebuilding after the war ended and
was actively buying up tubesets and lugs as and when he could. He was in
discussion with Jim Collier who had been a master frame builder at Hobbs of
Barbican up until war broke out. Jim spent the war working at the Woolwich
Arsenal. I guess on the development of guns etc,. He was only able to leave
the Arsenal if he had a job to go to so Harry signed the form and they began
framebuilding on the day War ended in May 1945.
Bates built frames during the War as did Rattrays as I have a 1944 Bates
Vegrandis and a 1944 Flying Scot.
Bill Gray of Claud Butlers joined the RAF and was an Airframe fitter. He was
over at de Havilland Canada in the late war making strengthened rear
fuselage members so that arrestor hooks could be fitted to Mosquitos. Bill
told me this himself and that it was not a success hence the development of
the Sea Hornet. Not frame building but an interesting titbit.
Mark Stevens Evanton Scotland