1950s Aberdale Gresham Flyer De Luxe tricycle
Unique feature: Built-in telescopic self-locking control handle
LENGTH: 40″
WIDTH: 21″
HEIGHT: 29″
18″ Wheels
The Gresham Flyer De Luxe was the top-of-the-range children’s tricycle after World War 2.
Its special feature was a handle that fitted under the boot compartment at the back, and could be easily unfolded. As you can see in the photos below, when the handle was fully retracted and raised, an adult could hold it while the child pedalled and steered the tricycle.
The Gresham Flyer was lower to the ground than other children’s tricycles. This factor, combined with the handle, meant that children could start using it from an earlier age. The company advertised it as being suitable for children aged 3 to 8 years old. This represented a more economical purchase for parents, as the child did not need to upgrade to a larger tricycle as they grew taller.
I’m not sure of the age of this example: they were current through the 1950s. It is in remarkably well-preserved condition, original, unrestored, with shiny chrome and excellent paintwork and transfers (decals). There are many pleasing small details on the tricycle, such as the Gresham Flyer name on the handlebar grips and also on the handle for the control handle.
It has never needed any restoration, as it was treasured by the original owner’s family until I bought it. I already have a 1949 Gresham Flyer tricycle in worn condition in the Museum collection. But this one was in such good condition I could not resist buying it too.
BUILT-IN TELESCOPIC SELF-LOCKING CONTROL HANDLE
Elephant Riding a Gresham Flyer Tricycle
Built Specially for the Circus.
18th December 1952
GRESHAM FLYER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Tony Savery recalls an interesting adventure on his Gresham Flyer:
“Not so long after the war when just old enough to be allowed out of our back garden, I was proudly pedalling along on my new blue Gresham Flyer tricycle, a Rolls Royce for any boy of my age. Hearing the local ‘rag and bone man’ hollering his, “Any rag & bone” drew me to the corner of our street where he was standing with his horse and cart. Being the curious type and sat at a convenient height, I was compelled to observe his horse emptying his bowels in the road. Suddenly my father appeared from our house with a shovel. I, not yet having sufficient vocabulary to protest, looked on as he filled the boot of my beautiful trike with steaming horse droppings. I don’t know if the ‘rag and bone man’ had a charge for this extra service but it certainly improved our garden. However, my Gresham Flyer tricycle never felt quite the same after that, although I would regularly run errands for my mother bringing groceries home in the boot.”
The Aberdale Cycle Co. was founded in 1919 as a family concern, with Joseph Levy joining his father in the business from the age of 14, and graduating within a couple of years to being ‘on the road’ selling their bicycles from a wheelbarrow! Brother Leslie also followed into the growing business, while Joe had progressed to sales manager by age 23.
By 1934, Aberdale had moved production to a new factory at Bridport Rd, Upper Edmonton, London N18 (illustrated above). Their bicycle range included the Chromex and Bridport. Their juvenile bikes were known as Rodneys.
Joe Levy took over as managing director in 1941, and during WWII, the Aberdale plant was turned over to production of war materials, including the building of a small generating engine set for use on aeroplanes. After the return to peace in 1945, the company introduced the Bown Autocycle and, for children, the Gresham Flyer tricycle.
Raleigh responded with their Winkie tricycle. Being the country’s leading cycle manufacturer, Raleigh could afford a much higher advertising budget, so their sales overtook the Gresham Flyer in Britain and abroad. Nevertheless, sales of the Gresham Flyer were very respectable and, as the Gresham Flyer tricycle was lower to the ground and featured a control handle, it managed to capture a market for children at a younger age than Raleigh.
FIVE TRICYCLES WITH BOOTS
TO COMPARE THE
1955 RALEIGH WINKIE
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