Cushman Airborne Scooter - Army Use!

[shawn_c]

I know, this isn't for getting groceries... but if when you say "groceries", you mean "victory", then this scooter is definitely a grocery getter! It was used during World War II and it looks pretty cool, don't it? A scooter designed for war!

They call it "Airborne" because it was dropped from the sky with paratroopers who would then use it to get to their destinations and for general transportation. This means that the scooter was very rugged and could stand up to gunfire. In my opinion, it looks quite cool and I wouldn't mind having one of these to scoot around on!

There are more model details in the last two pictures, where you can see the specification plates of the scooter and of the engine.

[Marudek]

Hi!

I am totally new to this forum although I have visited it before during my search for Cushman 53 Airborne. I am a modeler interested in II World War motorcycles and scooters. After gathering needed pictures and dimensions I then scratch build them in 1:72 scale. In this scale a motorcycle like BMW R75 or Zundapp KS750 is less than inch long. You can see some of my builds here:

DKW NZ350
Zundapp KS 750
BMW R75

Now I'm preparing to build Cushman Model 53. and I need some help of enthusiasts who know more than me. Does anyone know the wheel diameter of this lovely scooter? If I only had one dimension I could then measure all the pictures I have gathered and calculate the dimensions in 72nd scale.

Hoping for your help I remain with best regards.

[shawn_c]

Hi Marudek! Welcome to the forums!

Your models are really cool.

I did some research, and didn't find the exact specifications of the Cushman 53 Airborne... but there was the "M3A4 general-purpose utility cart" that it pulled... and the cart was 32 inches long x 24 inches wide x 5 inches high.

Here's a link to pictures of the cart: http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_m3a4.php3

AND here's a link to pictures of the scooter and cart: http://www.olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_ph ... man_53.php

I hope you can extrapolate from the pictures... maybe you'd have to find other pictures? Here's another picture: http://www.g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=74&t=137301

Good luck!!!