M38 A1 USAF STRATA BLUE

[alang]

I HAVE 1953 (NOV) M38 A1 USAF , THE QUESTION IS WHAT COLOR DO I PAINT THE FRAME, I THINK THE FRAME WAS STRATA BLUE , ALL THE BODY PARTS ARE STRATA BLUE ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT ALAN DOUGLAS, SPOKANE WA.

[evanso1975]

These posts may help:

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6916&highlight=strata+blue

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=6682&highlight=strata+blue

Going off the info in those posts, I read it as the first Strata Blue jeeps came out of the factory towards the end of M38 production (1952). So it stands to reason that your jeep could have been painted Strata Blue at the factory. And since the OD jeeps came out of the factory with OD frames, then my logic (twisted though it may be) says that a blue jeep coming out of the factory would have had a blue frame.

It's personal preference, but I did my M38's frame blue; I found Strata Blue on certain areas of the frame & running gear, with OD underneath. Others have done their frames black or OD, both of which look good too. You say you think the frame was blue. What about the running gear (axles, springs etc)? If they were blue, then there's a pretty good chance the frame would've been painted to match (in my opinion, anyway).

Owen.
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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