Air Force truck question

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:13 pm

I was sanding the hood today, looking for the hood number, all I found was "U.S.A.F." Did the Air Force not put numbers on the hood? I havent sanded the doors yet, would there be any markings there?
Thanks,
Tim

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:33 pm

Yeah, numbers should be on the door and bumper. The hood only has USAF on it.

Check out Ed's truck, courtesy of Cabell Garbee.

http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos35.htm

Good photos there.

vtdeucedriver · Post by **vtdeucedriver** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:35 pm

refit1701 wrote:Yeah, numbers should be on the door and bumper. The hood only has USAF on it.

Check out Ed's truck, courtesy of Cabell Garbee.

http://www.garbee.net/~cabell/photos35.htm

Good photos there.

Not entirely, here is a pic

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:44 pm

I have seen that pic before. There is no doubt there were variations in the stenciling on the trucks in all branches. We sort of tend to idealize the way they are marked.

I would like to have a marking TM for AF trucks someday.

m-11 · Post by **m-11** » Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:19 pm

refit1701 wrote:I have seen that pic before. There is no doubt there were variations in the stenciling on the trucks in all branches. We sort of tend to idealize the way they are marked.

I would like to have a marking TM for AF trucks someday.

Checkout the link and see if this is what you need. http://www.g838.org/added_pages/manuals.html

Tim

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:55 am

I don't know where it went, but I posted a reply explaining the changes in USAF vehicle markings and when they occurred. The pic posted above shows typical markings for trucks during the transition period from Army-style markings and the new USAF markings. Eventually, the numbering system was changed and removal of all hood markings was mandated by 1958. From August, 1947 until October, 1954, the Army method was used exclusively. In 1954, the AF instituted the door markings now in use but retained the Army numbering system and many vehicles retained their hood markings "until it was necessary to repaint the hood." A number of changes were made to the TO in the ensuing years until, by October of 1958, all hood markings had disappeared.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Tue Feb 17, 2009 10:07 am

So there wouldn't be USAF on the hood either?

This brings up the subject of doing markings in the 1953 era (which would be Army Style) or the later consolidated markings (post '58?).

Hmm.

afvet6670 · Post by **afvet6670** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 5:51 am

For a picture of our AF `53 M37 go to http://news.webshots.com/photo/12360846 ... 0026rShjtd.

The entire album is at http://community.webshots.com/user/afvet6670 and the markings are on pages 2 & 3

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 7:07 am

Nice truck! Now that is what mine needs to look like!

Is that semi or flat paint on it?

I want to download the pics for reference but Webshots sucks and you have to join to do that.

russcal · Post by **russcal** » Wed Feb 18, 2009 11:38 pm

Hiya, y'all!

Lots of good info here... definately gonna help me when I get around to painting my XM152. Most everything I've seen on it was factory painted strata blue, underside of fenders, running boards, underneath the dash, etc. Bumper and bumperettes are kinda screwed up tho', so unsure what color they were originally (or earlier). Haven't done any more sanding on the doors to find original markings after finding the Rocketdyne markings... thinking about it I kinda fear they were probably sanded off when North American took over the vehicle for Rocketdyne use.

I notice in the picture that the rims are still in Army green (OD). Would this be common? I know the seat covers were khaki / OD, but how about the other common replacement parts that would come factory painted... would they be repainted to match the rest of the vehicle. Not suggeting that the Air Force was ragbag, just don't know.

Russ
Proud son of Rose and Wes

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 4:58 am

John...
You didn't mention what year your truck is. If it's newer than 1958, there should be no hood markings. If it's a really early model, there should be hood markings but no door markings. If it's a "transition" model, it could have just about anything on it.

My suggestiion would be to choose an era commensurate with the year model of the truck and mark it accordingly.

Then, have fun with your truck!

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:32 am

OH it's a 53 model. I thought my sig had that in it.

I do want to mark it to reflect the year it would have been first used. If that means "USAF" plus the number on the hood, that's fine. This is why I wish there were more photo references available for the M37 from those years.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:13 pm

If you can find an early edition on the AF TO on painting and marking of vehicles, it would give you all the information you need. The one from Portrayal Press is the 1958 edition, which incorporated all the changes up until then. You'd want a 1954 or earlier edition, which could be very hard to find and likely a bit expensive. Happy hunting, and keep looking for period pictures. There have to be some out there somewhere.

BigEddieM37 · Post by **BigEddieM37** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:50 pm

I used the USAF vehicle marking guide from Portrayal Press as a guide. It was very helpful. The retired USAF guys I meet always appreciate seeing their color on a vehicle. It's always nice to hear of others who are restoring a vehicle in Strata Blue! I'm VERY proud of my M37 and the service branch it represents.
Ed

russcal · Post by **russcal** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:16 pm

Heya, Ed!

That is one sweet rig! Motivates me for the day my wagon is gonna look so nice.

Thanx for sharing!

Russ
Unhappy Taxpayer
Proud son of Rose and Wes