£138.00
Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box. This Air Ministry, 1940, Leather fronted tool box with embossed stamps is in great shape.
This Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box was an additional fitment to War Department motorcycles. I am no WW2 historian. However, from what I can see, it appears that the Air Ministry (RAF) felt the need to have these metal & leather tool boxes in addition to the standard metal triangular ones that are fitted lower down the frame.

This Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box was an additional fitment to War Department motorcycles – Picture by Gary Chapman
During 1940-45, Ariel produced approximately 47,000 Ariel W/NG motorcycles for the Air Ministry, Admiralty (Navy) and War Department (Army). The production number is modest when compared to Matchless (70,000) and BSA (126,000). There is an interesting article on this page: Ariel W/NG. It features the Air Ministry motorcycle and shows a machine with a pair of tool boxes just like this one. The article is written by Steve Wilson and features photography by Gary Chapman. I have shown some extracts of Gary’s images in this feature.
Dimensions:
- Length: 10-1/2″ (26.8mm)
- Height: 4-1/2″ (11.5cm)
- Depth (Front to back- external): 3-1/2″ (8.9cm)
All dimensions are approximate and are of the metal container.
Condition of the Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box
Overall, this tool box is very good. In fact it is so good that you could be forgiven for thinking that it may not be original. I am not certain that it is original, so I am not prepared to state it as such.

Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box was an additional fitment to Air Ministry motorcycles – Picture by Gary Chapman
However, if you compare this tool box with the 1942 ones featured on the Air Ministry motorcycle in the images, you will see that certain design elements are the same. For example, the latch. The two rivets in the top fastening are placed diagonally. The Leather strap handle is the same design and the strap fastenings to the top are also the same.
Instead of a WD “kite mark”, this Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box has an Air Ministry one.
The leather front is in good, used, condition. There are no rips or tears. Inside the box, the leather lining is in excellent condition. The metal box has a very thin layer of paint. It has chipped off here and there. See the images.
There is a name and address etched into the paint on the underside of the box. It’s easily painted over, if you prefer it that way.
Other War Department parts.
I don’t have loads. It’s not really my field. However, from time to time, I have a few interesting pieces. So, please check this page on WD parts and bikes
If I have something interesting, I often put it on TheTimingChest Facebook page. It might be worth following that page as you will be kept updated with the latest offerings.
Buyer notes for the Ariel W/NG WW2 Tool box
Shipping is charged ON TOP of the price for the item. There are too many variables to include shipping in the checkout, so please contact me before you buy and I will give you a shipping price.
I usually ship to most destinations.
International shipping available. Let me know where you are and I will send you a price for shipping with tracking
Combined shipping available.
Viewing: Please come and check the vintage Rudge Multi steel mudguards over before you buy. It is at PE28, near St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
Collection: If you don’t want it shipped, I have plenty of space. If you can’t collect for a while, it’s not a problem. However, I will need to be paid very soon after the sale. Thanks.
Payment: Good old fashioned money on collection is preferred. I can accept payment through PayPal or by bank transfer as well. I can accept EUROS. Please ask.
Import Taxes: Please note that IMPORT DUTIES are not something I can control. If you are buying from outside the UK, there is a chance that you will have to pay import taxes. Import taxes vary from country to country. If there are charges to pay, it is the buyer’s responsibility to research the cost and pay the duties. The price that you see on my advert is for the item and not the item plus whatever taxes might be due.
If you buy this item and have it posted out of the UK, it is your responsibility to check that it conforms to the International transport regulations. If it is returned to me by the courier because it does not conform to their specifications, I will not be held responsible for the return costs or a refund on the item. I will offer to re-sell the item on your behalf.
In the case of import duties not being paid. If the item is returned because you did not contact the shipping agent / customs within their prescribed timeline, or if you did not pay the import fees, I will not be held responsible for the return costs or a refund on the item. I will offer to re-sell the item on your behalf.
If you use an agent to act on your behalf when receiving the item by post, and they reject it for any reason, I will not be held responsible for the return costs or a refund on the item. I will offer to re-sell the item on your behalf.