IWM Duxford hosted the launch of a new motorcycle on Monday, at an event that also featured a parachute jump by the Red Devils.

The Classic 500 Pegasus by Royal Enfield was inspired by the legendary RE/WD Flying Flea 125 motorcycle that was manufactured at Royal Enfield’s underground facility during the Second World War.

It was used by the Parachute Regiment in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence.

The launch event was attended by veterans and motorcycle enthusiasts and included the parachute jump by the Red Devils. There were also experts and historians on hand, to narrate a historical insight into the bike and Royal Enfield’s armed forces provenance.

Siddhartha Lal, chief executive of Royal Enfield, said: “The story of the Flying Flea is both remarkable and inspiring and it has a history like to no other motorcycle.”

Speaking about the Flying Flea’s role during the D-Day operation, historian Gordon May said: “The ramp would touch down and out would come the motorcycles. They were used as a means of rounding up troops and getting them forward, and also accompanying troops much as a convoy escort rider would have done.”

For more information go to www.royalenfield.com.