Draganfly Motorcycles

NOT ALL ARIELS ARE RED HUNTERS OR AN EXPLANATION AND LISTING OF MODEL CODES

From 1926 onwards every model produced was given a model code, which
appeared to be the only reference used within the factory and in some cases were only
used in the factory. Names only seem to have been used in publicity, never in the parts
books, where the model code is always used and they were not too specific about the
names, ‘Red Hunter Single’ being used one year and ‘Hunter Single’ the next. The
accurate way to describe a particular model is to use its designated model code, rather
than refer to the model name. To call an Ariel a ‘Red Hunter’ is particularly misleading as
this could refer to a 250, 350 or 500 single as well as to a 500 twin, not to mention any of
the competition models. There is a tendency to call any single a ‘Red Hunter’ when many
are in fact ‘Standard’ or ‘de Luxe’ models and in fact only 7 of the 50 four-stroke models
made between 1926 and 1958 were called ‘Red Hunters’ and that includes the KH.
These model codes were usually, but not always, applied with logic, starting in 1926
with fresh new designs by Val Page it was decided to use a new model code system. In
the first year there were 4 models which were given the first 4 letters of the alphabet. A
and B were the Sports and Touring side valves and the C and D models the Super Sports
and Touring models. Over the next 4 years as new versions of the same machines were
introduced they were given the next letter in the alphabet down to the model G, which
was now the Super Sport with a very special specification.
A new group of three 250cc models was introduced in 1929 using the model codes
LB, LF and LG and although they were always known as Colts, the factory does seem to
have used this name until 1954. The L prefix stood for 250cc and represents the model
group and the suffixes denoted the model type using the letters already in use for the
larger machines, a system that was to remain in place for ever. The B suffix denotes side
valve, F the standard model and the G suffix the sporty one. Perhaps the L prefix was
used so that H, I, J and K would be available for future model types, after all someone
must have been looking to the future when making a decision about these things or
perhaps L was chosen for ‘Lightweight’.
In 1931 the existing B, F and G models gained a prefix of V and as this letter is out
of sequence it can be assumed that V stood for ‘Vertical’ at a time when the ‘Slopers’
were being made. Although as we shall see later the V comes to mean large capacity,
vertical engined models as the smaller engined, vertical models receive their own model
group letter.
Three new model groups were also introduced in 1931. The 350 inclined models
took the next letter in the alphabet which was M, however the 250 versions of the same
design retained the L prefix. L was used for 4 of the 5 designs of 200/250 capacity four
strokes over the years, all the other models were given a new letter code when the basic
design changed.
The 2nd new model group was the Slopers, which rather than use N, the next letter,
used S, logically for Slopers. The model types continued as before which is why the 2-
valve model is the SF or ‘Standard’ and the four valve, top of the range model, is the SG
‘Sports’, whereas logic would use SF for the 4 valve model.
The 3rd new model group was of course the Square Four, which was the 4F.
Presumably, the F was used for the type, rather than G, as the factory looked on it more as
a touring model and might put potential buyers off by calling it a sports model or perhaps
thought of releasing a tuned version later as the G, heaven forbid! In 1932 when the 600cc
version was released the 2 Square Fours were differentiated as 4F5 or 4F6.
A new model type was introduced at the same time as these new groups, which was
of course the Red Hunter. It used the next letter available, which was H, the first model
being the VH, a tuned version of the VG vertical 4 valve 500 single and exceedingly rare.
The 2nd Red Hunter was the MH model, with 350cc inclined engine.
1933-38 was a period of rationalisation after the collapse of the old firm at the end
of the 1932 season, when the Slopers, Inclined and 4-valve models were dropped from the
range. New models were released, with new model group letters but these were actually
smaller capacity versions of the existing VF and VG models. The 250cc size continues to
use the L prefix and the next letter available, N, is applied to the 350cc size. Even post
financial collapse and with a trimmed down range Ariel list 9 models from only 2 basic
engine designs and 26 mudguards! The smaller side valves have also gone, the 250cc L
model and the 350cc N model are available in F (Standard), G (de-Luxe), or H (Red
Hunter) forms. The large capacity model group, V, is also available in side valve form as
A (standard), or B (de-Luxe), versions. It will be noted that the G has been demoted to ‘de
Luxe’ with the arrival of the H or ‘Hunter’ versions.
During the 1930’s additional suffixes were used from time to time to denote various
options that were available, such as a ‘3’ to denote a 3 speed gearbox or a ‘2’ to signify a
twin port head. For 1932 only, the year was added as a suffix, e.g. VG32, something that
BSA did consistently throughout the 1930’s.
The G suffix having been downgraded from ‘Super Sports’ to de-Luxe it was
deemed suitable for the new ohv Square Four introduced in 1937. However the F suffix
was re-used for the 600cc version, giving rise to some confusion, as a 4F can be a 1931-
36 cammy or a later ohv model. To confuse matters further, a rare Square Four, the 4H,
was also made, not a Red Hunter as might be assumed, but ‘a slightly less luxurious
version’ or cheaper model.
In 1939 the release of 2 new models, well lightweight versions of the existing 250,
called for a new model group, using the next available letter they became the OG and OH
models.
During the 1939-45 war Ariels made the NG, OG and VA to war department
specification and added a W prefix to the existing designations, thus W/NG, W/OG and
W/VA. Although the W/OG is listed by many authorities, none are known to exist and
they do not appear in the Ariel company despatch books.
Although usually called the Fieldmaster today, when introduced in 1948, the new
500cc twin was called the Red Hunter or deLuxe Twin. K was chosen for the model group
although logically it should have been P. The name Fieldmaster did not appear until 1956.
An A was added to the 1953 KH and the 1953-54 VH to denote versions with alloy
cylinders.
In 1954 all logic in model designations flies out of the window as the Huntmaster
650 twin is launched using model group F. However, a new 200cc model is introduced,
which re-uses the model group letter and the name of the pre-war 250 Colts, which had
not survived the war as a BSA parts bin special it hardly deserves the H suffix, Red
Hunter it isn’t!
Competition and alloy cylinder models
Although competition machines were listed in the 1930’s; they were lightly
modified standard models and never received their own codes. The post war
competition models were taken a little more seriously as competition demanded
ever more specialised bikes. The code for the 1948-53 competition models had a
C for competition inserted into VH, thus VCH. When purpose designed separate
trials and scrambles bikes were built, they were given the designations HT
(Hunter Trials) and HS (Hunter Scrambler).
The names in the table below are those that were used by the factory in their
publicity material. Where more than one name was used both are shown.
Prefix Suffix
F 650 ohv Twin A Sports? Side valve
H 350/500 Hunter competition B Touring or De-luxe side valve
K 500 ohv Twin F Standard
L 200/250 sv/ohv G De-luxe
M 350 sv/ohv Inclined H Hunter (Sports)
N 350 ohv Vertical S Scrambles
O 250 ohv Lightweight T Trials
S 500/557 sv/ohv Slopers Others
V 500/557/600 sv/ohv Vertical A Alloy engine
W War department C Competition
Year Code Factory Name Notes
1926-30 A Sports/Standard 557 sv single, ‘C’ section mudguards
1926-30 B Touring/De-luxe 557 sv single, valenced mudguards,
Sturmey archer gearbox
1926-28 C Super Sports/Sports 500 ohv single, ‘C’ section mudguards
1926-28 D Touring 500 ohv single, valenced mudguards,
Sturmey archer gearbox
1927-30 E Super Sports/Standard 500 ohv single, tuned engine
1929-30 F De-luxe 500 ohv single, more tuning
1930 G Special 500 ohv single, ‘racing’ magneto and
carburettor, polished flywheels, sports cam
1954-58 FH Huntmaster Twin 650 ohv twin, based on BSA A10
1957-58 FHS Export Sports
650 ohv twin with export cam etc. (FHS
probably only used in the factory) despite
its name, available in UK
1958 FH Cyclone
650 ohv twin. Chrome mudguards,
‘western’ handlebars, at least 8:1 pistons
and export cam, also available in the UK.
1954-58 HS MKI Scrambler/ Scrambler
Red Hunter
500 ohv single. Tuned light alloy engine in
basically standard road frame, no lights, no
silencer.
1954-55 HS MKII Scrambler 500 ohv single, MKI with lights and
silencer
1954-58 HS MKIII Scrambler 500 ohv single, detuned , road legal MKI
1954-58 HT Hunter Trials 500 ohv single, alloy engine with special
frame (HT5 after 1957)
1957-58 HT3 Trials Red Hunter 350 ohv single, as HT5
1948-51 KG De-luxe Twin 500 ohv twin
1948-57 KH Red Hunter Twin 500 ohv twin
1953 KHA Red Hunter Twin 500 ohv twin, alloy engine
1953 KHA MKII Hunt Master 500 ohv twin, Earles fork prototype
1929-30 LB De-luxe 250 sv single
1929-30 LF De-luxe 250 ohv single
1930 LG Special 250 ohv single
1931-32 LB 250 sv single, inclined
1931-32 LF 250 ohv single, inclined
1934-35 LF Standard 250 ohv single
1936-38 LG De-luxe 250 ohv single
1933-38 LH 250 ohv single
1954-58 LH Colt 200 ohv single (BSA parts bin special)
1933 MA
350 sv, inclined. 76 made, all despatched to
Stokvis & Zonen in Netherlands, believed
to be clearance of MB models despatched
Feb/Mar 1933 all 3 speed, listed as MA32
1932 MB 350 sv single, inclined
1931-32 MF 350 ohv single, inclined
1932 MH Red Hunter 350 ohv single, inclined
1933-35 NF Standard 350 ohv single
1936-50 NG De-luxe 350 ohv single
1933-58 NH Red Hunter 350 ohv single
1939-40 OG De-luxe 250 ohv, lightweight
1939-40 OH Red Hunter 250 ohv, lightweight
1931-32 SB 557 sv single, Sloper
1932 SF 500 ohv single, Sloper
1931-32 SG 500 ohv single, 4 valve Sloper
1933-35 VA Standard 557 sv single
1939-40 VA Standard 500 sv single
1931-58 VB De-luxe 600 sv single (557cc 1931-35)
1931-35 VF Standard 500 ohv single
1931-50 VG De-luxe 500 ohv single
1932-58 VH Red Hunter 500 ohv single
1948-53 VCH Competition Hunter Competition, magnesium c/cases 1948-50,
alloy engine, high ground clearance frame
1952-53 VHA Red Hunter 500 ohv single, alloy engine
1953 VHA MKII Hunt Marshal 500 ohv single, Earles fork prototype
1940-45 W/NG 350 ohv single Military version
1940 W/OG Fictional 250 ohv single Military version
1940 W/VA 500 sv single Military version
1931-33 4F5 Square Four 500 ohc four, “Cammy” (4F in 1931)
1932-36 4F6 Square Four 600 ohc four, “Cammy”
1937
1939-40 4F Square Four 600 ohv four
1937-48 4G Square Four De-luxe 1000 ohv four, all iron model
1939-40 4H Square Four Standard 1000 ohv four ‘Slightly less luxurious
version’
1949-52 4G MKI Square Four 1000 ohv four, alloy engine, 2 exhaust
pipes
1953-58 4G MKII Square Four 1000 ohv four, alloy engine, 4 exhaust
pipes
1953 4G MKIII Royal Hunter 1000 ohv four, Earles fork prototype
1958 4G MKIV 1000 ohv four Swing arm prototype
1958 Glida Leader prototype
1958-65 TS1 Leader 250 piston ported 2 stroke
1960-65 TS2 Arrow 250 piston ported 2 stroke
1961-65 TS3 Sports Arrow 250 piston ported 2 stroke “Golden Arrow”
1964-65 TS4
Used in
the
factory
only 200 Arrow 200 piston ported 2 stroke
1972 Healey 4G MKII engine in Egli type frame, built
by the Healey brothers