WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

1952 - 1968, M38A1, M170, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the M38a1 series.
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WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by dlevy » Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:06 pm

Hi,

OK. I'm ready to apply some white paint on my 1952 M38A1 and need some expert direction.
(It's not in the TB 746-93-1, the AR 850-5 for WWII, or the AR 850-5 1945-1954)

Can anyone tell me where the markings go exactly?

The 20" hood star with the point facing forward. How many inches should the base of the star be from the back edge of the hood (firewall side)?
The 6" stars on the sides of the tub towards the rear, how far down from the top edge of the tub should the point be?
The 6" stars on the front fenders; how many inches should the base of the stars be up from the front edge of the front fenders.
The hood numbers and letters; how tall should they be and what font?
The hood numbers and letters; the TB 746-93-1 say they should be in the most visible location. If that is the case the left group of "U.S. ARMY and Reg #" is more towards the back of the jeep because the BO drive light would obscure them and on the right side they would be more forward because of the cut out for the fording snorkel. So, should they be mirror images on each side or offset towards the front and back as described.

The registration number: would a 1952 jeep registration number be preceded by "20" and is there any correlation to figure out the correct registration number based on serial number? I did find under layers of paint the hood number "1A 8321" under "U.S. ARMY" I do not know if that is original or even a correct number sequence.

Last part: if I wanted to mark the jeep as: 29th infantry division, 175th regiment, 1st battalion, company C. how would I break that down for the front bumper and rear bumperettes?

Thanks,
Dave


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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by JMZ421 » Thu Jan 25, 2018 2:43 am

Hello: I am pretty sure the 52' M38A1 left the factory with U.S.A. on the hood and not US ARMY, if the facotry thing is what you want. At a recent show a fellow had his M38 redone and he had to get his entire hood repainted because of this catch. Maybe check before paint or stickers. John

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Thu Jan 25, 2018 3:55 am

On my 53 M38A1 when I sanded the hood I got U. S. ARMY.

I went back with that. From what I understand from the factory all that came was the US Army and the hood number. The rest was up to the unit the Jeep ended up living in. Stars were added as per the local unit commander. So they would be applied in places he designated.

I left unit markings off of my Jeep. It keeps me from having to explain - 'what does all that mean' - questions.
45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Jeeps4Brains » Thu Jan 25, 2018 4:04 am

45' MB, ??' MBT, 47' CJ2A, 48' CJ2A,
51' M38 #1, 51' M38 #2, 51' M100,
52' M37, ??' M101A1 (1st Gulf War Vet),
53' M38A1, 53' M211, 65' M151A1, 67' M416,
MVPA #31724

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by MASH_4077 » Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:05 am

After '54 or '55 it would have been changed to US ARMY. But prior to then it would have had USA on the hood and hood numbers would have started with 20xxxxxx

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 25, 2018 10:31 am

"U.S.A." changed to U.S.ARMY. sometime during 1956. 1955 M-38A1's all had U.S.A. from factory. In early 1955, the shorter U.S.A registration U.S.A. 2A-XXXX began.
M-38A1 Factory USA was 2" and were centered midway on hood with the bottom of the numbers level with the top of the Breather Tube Cover. (Approx. 6" up from bottom of hood).
There were bulletins instructing to change USA to US ARMY on all combat vehicles during 1956 period.
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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by dlevy » Thu Jan 25, 2018 12:29 pm

Great information. Thank you.

So on a 1952 M38A1 the hood stencils should be:
"U.S.A. 209xxxxx". Is this in 1 line or 2 lines?

I am told that in the registration number, the "20" designated 1/4-ton and the "9" designated the M38A1. This is followed by 5 additional numbers.

Is this correct?

Dave

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by MASH_4077 » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:41 pm


Ben Dover wrote:"U.S.A." changed to U.S.ARMY. sometime during 1956. 1955 M-38A1's all had U.S.A. from factory. In early 1955, the shorter U.S.A registration U.S.A. 2A-XXXX began.
M-38A1 Factory USA was 2" and were centered midway on hood with the bottom of the numbers level with the top of the Breather Tube Cover. (Approx. 6" up from bottom of hood).
There were bulletins instructing to change USA to US ARMY on all combat vehicles during 1956 period.
Thanks Joel. I couldn't quite remember when it was. I knew it was mid 50s.
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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by MASH_4077 » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:44 pm

dlevy wrote:Great information. Thank you.

So on a 1952 M38A1 the hood stencils should be:
"U.S.A. 209xxxxx". Is this in 1 line or 2 lines?

I am told that in the registration number, the "20" designated 1/4-ton and the "9" designated the M38A1. This is followed by 5 additional numbers.

Is this correct?

Dave
Should look like this. Image

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Thu Jan 25, 2018 1:54 pm

1952 era M-38A1 U.S.A. 20960380, 1954, 201002900, 1955 2A-5177, 2A-6670, 2B-XXXX.
1951 M-38 approx. U.S.A. 20909582 (CO's Jeep 136th Engineer Co. Me National Guard-My cousin.)
Remember the USA is spaced 1" above the number and centered. The U.S.A. had square dots on M-38/M-38A1 and the U.S.A.was centered using the front of the "U" and the rear of the dot after the "A".

Will try to post the USA reg. pics on my M-38A1 later tonite.
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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by dlevy » Thu Jan 25, 2018 9:30 pm

This is just what I need.

So the registration for my October 1952 M38A1 will be "209xxxxx". Are the last 5 digits in some relation to the serial number on the data plate? The serial number is 5 digits.

Dave

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by JMZ421 » Fri Jan 26, 2018 6:00 am

yes on the 209 but use your serial number for the rest not to exceed a total of 8 characters including the 209. I once owned a 52 A1 and and I coud not
find any info so that is what I did. Serial number has nothing to do with hood registration #. You will never find the exact number so you might as well do it this way. I believe a member on this board who really helps us out mentioned that sometimes the maint personnel wrote down the hood numbers on the back of the master serial number plate when vehicles were repainted and so forth. It is worth a look. John

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Fri Jan 26, 2018 6:09 am

M-38A1 with U.S.A 2A-5177 had serial number 88888. :wink:
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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by dlevy » Sat Jan 27, 2018 6:56 am

Ok, so really any 5-digit number after the "209" would be acceptable for the registration number on an Oct 1952 M38A1 since there was no special pattern or sequence for the number.

With a radio installed I assume that there is NO "-S" as a suffix to the registration number as I have not heard of a suppression kit for the M38A1. Is that correct?

Dave

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Re: WTK: Paint markings on an M38A1

Post by Joe Gopan » Sat Jan 27, 2018 7:31 am

Try U.S.A. 2096XXXX. All 24Volt M-Series tactical trucks came from the factory suppressed for radios.
Here's a sample of a "Plain Jane" M-38A1 belonging to a friend.

.
24087-37_years_(4).JPG
24087-37_years_(4).JPG (158.46 KiB) Viewed 3342 times
24087-37 years (3).JPG
24087-37 years (3).JPG (154.59 KiB) Viewed 3342 times
24087-37 years.JPG
24087-37 years.JPG (154.03 KiB) Viewed 3342 times
'tis spring 011.JPG
'tis spring 011.JPG (159.29 KiB) Viewed 3342 times
2011 MVPA PIONEER AWARD - MVPA #1064
HONOR GRAD-WHEELED VEHICLE MECHANIC SCHOOL 1960 - US ARMY ORDNANCE SCHOOL(MACHINIST) ABERDEEN PG 1962 - O-1 BIRD DOG CREWCHIEF - 300,000+TROUBLE FREE M-38A1 MILES
LIFE MEMBER AM LEGION-40/8-DAV
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COL. BRUNO BROOKS (ARMY MOTORS) IS MY HERO


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