Today in WW II: 2 Apr 1940 Soldiers of the Chinese Nationalist Army reoccupy Wuyuan after successfully ambushing some 3,000 Japanese troops.  More ↓
2 Apr 1941 German Lieutenant General Erwin Rommel starts a successful nine day battle to recapture Libya.
2 Apr 1942 USS Hornet [CV-8] leaves San Francisco with Doolittle's Raiders and 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers destined to drop the first American bombs on Japan.
2 Apr 1943 Hermann Göring orders every German adult to participate in anti-air raid civil defense, manning anti-aircraft artillery and similar duties.
2 Apr 1944 Near Lille, 86 French civilians murdered by Nazi forces in reprisal for partisan attacks by the Resistance.
2 Apr 1944 Red Army invades Romania to recapture its oil resources for the Allied cause.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter (G-683)

The Scooter, Motor, 2W, Airborne was manufactured by Cushman Motor Works. Beginning in 1944, 4,734 were produced and delivered to the U.S. Government.

The Scooter weighed 255 pounds and was powered by a Cushman one cylinder, 4 cycle engine with magneto ignition, developing 4.6 hp. It had a range of about 100 mph and maximum speed of 40 mph. In addition to personal transportation, the Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter had a hitch to pull the M3A4 general-purpose utility cart.

The manual for the Scooter, Motor, 2W, Airborne was TM 9-876.

Find additional photos and hi-res versions of the Cushman scooters at the Olive-Drab Military Mashup.

Cushman 30 Series Scooters Photo Gallery

Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter. Image from TM 9-8000 (January 1956)
Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter. Image from TM 9-8000 (January 1956).

Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Hain-Matson and Lex Schmidt
Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter. Photo: Courtesy of Jeff Hain-Matson and Lex Schmidt.

Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter at the Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, OH with towed M3A4 general-purpose utility cart
Cushman Model 53 Airborne Scooter at the Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, OH with towed M3A4 general-purpose utility cart.