Early M38's came to the USAF in 2430 OD with 2430 OD poorly applied to a black frame. In most cases when the USAF got around to painting these early M38's StrataBlue they shot them with the body on the chassis so depending on the agility and enthusiasm of the painter the chassis may have gotten a little bit of blue or a lot of blue but certainly not all blue.
Later M38's are assumed to have left Willys in StrataBlue for the USAF and there has not been any confirmed data on exactly what got what colors at Willys. A lot of conjecture is out here but very little factual information. I did my USAF blue M38 in the manner I believe them to have been done in 1951. StrataBlue body with many bolt on items as delivered in OD. I made an exception even though I believe the frames all got shot with 2430 OD over their original one coat black I went with entirely black frame because I like it that way. _________________ Wes K
45 MB, 51 M38, 54 M37, 66 M101A1, 60 CJ5, 76 DJ5D, 47Bantam T3-C & 5? M100
Joined: Sep 10, 2011 Posts: 36 Location: Nicholasville, KY
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:41 am Post subject:
While painting my M38a1 StrataBlue, I left the frame black and will be going over it again with a semi or flat black. It does look better that way. I can't remember too well but, I think our AF trucks had black frames. If memory serves my well today. Anyway, that's the way I'm painting mine. _________________ 1953 M38a1 USAF C'est La Vie
Joined: May 10, 2010 Posts: 615 Location: North Yorkshire, UK
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:39 am Post subject:
Wes has some good photos in his USAF MV's album. Like this one:
If you look at the front of the frame (where the bumper bolts to) it looks like it could be blue. Of course, it would've made things simpler if they'd bothered to wash the jeep down prior to that photo being taken.
I did mine stratablue 'cos my jeep will have white bumpers & a white grille (they were originally that color on my jeep, on top of the OD). I thought that was enough colour variation. If I ever get the body tub repaired and into blue paint, I'll post a photo of it.
In the end, the color of your frame will come down to personal choice. If you like the idea of a black frame, then go for it.
Owen. _________________ 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
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