M38s blue from the factory???? (lots of pics)

WillysMotors · Contributor Joined: Jan 19, 2006 Posts: 111

As you can see the particular page of the BOM I posted was page 5 of 13.
It is also 1 of 4 MC Paint BOM's.

I'm not sure the answer will be totally clear cut. There were times before and after 1951 when small orders or contracts for non OD| M38's where as I have shown before, the BOM allowed taking an OD vehicle out of stock and overspraying it with a color specific to a branch of the service.

I still have not successfully tracked down the contracts, dates, and quantities, but I have not given up. There is another research trip in April.

Bill_F · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:18 am Post subject:

My jeep has a DOD of 2/52 if that helps at all. The original hood number is USAF N-1346 (still trying to figure out what the N stands for)

evanso1975 · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:53 am Post subject:

Bill_F · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:03 am Post subject:

I wonder if the jeep with N-1466 has the original data plates (Or if my jeep has the original plates). As my jeep with 2/52 dod has N-1346 and the 3/52 has N-1798 of course it could be like any hood number and just applied in no particular order.

wesk · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:35 am Post subject:

Here are some of the photos I mentioned. The N prefix was an early USAF registration numbering system from the late 40's/early 50's that used the N to denote a utility vehicle class. In later systems this changed.

This 51K represents the contract year, 1951, the vehicle class K and the last 4 of the serial.

In this 52/3 photo the A again represents a vehicle class and the 12273 is probably the serial. Note the old USAF marking remnants below the doorsill. Also not frame and underside of the fenders are still OD2430. I believe this unit was originaly OD2430 to the USAF and then it was painted outside/top only with Strata Blue.

Here again you see blue over OD2430 but only the USAF and the 7 digit registration number below the doorsill.

Here again you see blue over OD2430 and the original Ordnance hood number and the USAF version of the same number.

It can also be assumed that any replacement tubs from Willys shipped to the USAF would have been painted either OD2430, OD2430 covered by Strata Blue or Strata Blue only.
_________________
Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100

Mjeeps photo album: http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=Wes-Knettle&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php

ECVJeeps · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:49 am Post subject:

The body I have had both a "K" and a "N" number on it.
Possibly the hood or the door was changed in it's life?

The hood was given away, the artic top sits in a shed in the back yard.
_________________
1952 M38CDN (in progress)
1942 GPW 51859(in waiting)
M100 CDN #0548(in progress)
M100 CDN #0281

Bill_F · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:18 am Post subject:

Wes,

I might be the pictures are not large enough but I am not seeing any od on the fedner wells of any of the jeeps in your photos. I see plenty of dirt but no od.

Bill_F · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:28 am Post subject:

Also here are the photos of my jeep while I was working on it.

Ryan_Miller · Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:12 pm Post subject:

Don't forget, there was a listing on the BOM for MARINE CORPS GREEN.

That is interesting!

Great information! Don't forget the hood number range for chrome yellow (N- numbers) listed on that previous blue print we found a couple years ago.

I would say that finding an original hood number in that range would help authenticate an AF Blue jeep. HOWEVER, hoods can be switched easily - my research has shown that all but 1 jeep that I know of so far was delivered on or after 2-52.

Thanks for the BOM information! I know it came at a great effort/cost Cool

_________________
Ryan Miller
MVPA # 22010

Powermwt · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:47 am Post subject:

Is there any documentation on the USMC M38 jeeps as to contract quantity and any differences in parts or equipment?

Very cool finding the BOM my friend!

I note Willys Overland changed their List of Parts/Bill of Materials to include when changes were made.
_________________
1944 MB-NAVY-
MZ-1

RICKG · Member Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1740 Location: SO IDAHO

http://www.aeroimage.com/MilAir/Fighter/EarlyFight/F86Sabre/Images/5001BD15.jpg
I ran across this the other day..Note the whitewalls.
_________________
keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a

Bill_F · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:51 pm Post subject:

Nice find

evanso1975 · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:55 pm Post subject:

Cool photo Cool

, well spotted RICKG!

My tired eyes won't let me see that jeep serial number; is it N-4333?

Looks like that jeep has OD inside the wheelarches, and an OD rear wheel. Shocked

_________________
Owen

1951 US Air Force M38
1944 F-1 1/2-ton Airdrome Trailer
1940 C15 Chevrolet CMP 11-cab
1939 DKW KS200 Motorcycle
MVT # 19406

Bill_F · Posted: Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:14 pm Post subject:

That jeep does look to be od in the wheel wells. From what my eyes see the hood number is N-4333

RICKG · Member Joined: Aug 31, 2010 Posts: 1740 Location: SO IDAHO

I enlarged it as much as possible and confirm N-4333.
It's gotta be the real thing if it's sittin next to a F-86 Sabre
at an AFB. I have no documentation as to where and when
the photo was taken..
Is that an APU behind the Sabre and would it be safety
yellow if it was at an AFB?
_________________
keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a


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