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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:58 pm Post subject: Leatherette in M38 |
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Here is a link to some information on Operation Longhorn
in Lampasas County, Texas in 1952.
http://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=108&t=179142
The sixth photo down shows an M38 with what appears to be
leatherette covers. I was trying to identify the M38 versus an
early A1 then noticed the canvas cover on the rifle holder
mounted on the windshield.
The A1 did not mount the rifle holder on the windshield
so it is an M38.
According to other articles the 82nd Airborne was the Agressor
during these war games, so this is apparently an 82nd AB M38
in 1952 with leatherette seat covers.
There are more photos and a video has recently surfaced on the
Net I have not watched yet. _________________ Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
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wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16365 Location: Wisconsin
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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This is an old topic. The leatherette seats were one of the bragging points heavily commented on in mid 1952 when they appeared on the M38A1.
It is very possible the Army used leatherette covers in the supply system for the new M38A1 on M38's needing seat covers. It is also possible the last few m38's off the line in June 52 used the M38A1 covers as well. But all of this has been discussed before.
What about the covers in this photo make you so positive they are vinyl?
All the jeep photos posted in that G503 thread are M38's. _________________ 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 |
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RonD2 Member
Joined: Oct 02, 2014 Posts: 2004 Location: South Carolina, Dorchester County
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:14 pm Post subject: |
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I, for one, like the Trojan "Marvin the Martian" headgear. Distinctive. Nifty. Beats the heck out of the Frenchy berets the Soldiers currently wear (what General thought that was a good idea? He's probably retired by now.). But that's just the Marine in me surfacing.....I've been known to wear an old school Pith Helmet during August. Yes, I know, you can pith in it --- but you can't shith in it.
Just to keep this post legal, I really really like the stencil on the top center inside of the windshield "This Veh(icle) cost $2373.55". Back then a dollar was really a dollar....steel was steel...and men were men.
I'd have to add some more numbers if I was going to mark mine that way today.... _________________ Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 9:40 pm Post subject: |
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My impression is that I can see the simulated pebbling
or grain in the vinyl in this photo. Also, the material
appears to be shiny or certainly has more gloss than a
flat canvas material. The last thing is the material and
stitching particularly on the back and edges looks
different than the canvas covers I've seen on new
or nearly new jeeps, given of course the graininess and
lighting of the photos. Certainly the backs look different
than the replacement covers available today.
I know it's an old subject but I had not seen this particular
photo before so had not noticed the detail. The photo of early
M38's lined up for shipment definitely shows canvas. I don't
remember what the later shipment covers looked like.
That the A1's came with the new and improved covers is
documented. Switching over to leatherette near the end of
M38 production or possibly just installing the new stuff then
spec'd for the A1's makes sense.
I'm still trying to decide which to use. In this dry country
I'm wondering if the canvas would dry out faster.
There are a lot more if those photos on a Life magazine
website, and they can be purchased. Wonder if an actual
photo in hand would be clearer and if there is any interest
for purposes of documentation.
There were 115,000 troops in that operation. One
soldier observed an air dropped jeep that the parachute
released early, resulting in a hard landing. He said it bounced
50 feet in the air.
Wonder which one of us ended up with that one?
Take care, _________________ Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
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wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16365 Location: Wisconsin
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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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Xamon Member
Joined: Sep 18, 2012 Posts: 592 Location: South East Saskatchewan
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skyjeep50 Member
Joined: Feb 20, 2007 Posts: 606 Location: Illinois
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 7:18 am Post subject: |
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Those seat covers look like canvas to me. Trying to tell the difference between a M38 and an M38A1? Look at the hood - the M38 has a flat hood, the M38A1 has a raised "streamlined" hood - a visible difference from a mile away! _________________ 1951 M38 |
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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 3:04 pm Post subject: |
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Yes understand the hood differences Sky. One photo was close
cropped and you could not see anything forward but the top
of the windshield. And the canvas rifle cover on the windshield.
Look at the first photo Wes inserted up top. It looks like
pebbly material instead of canvas to me, but your mileage
may vary. Did the military wax canvas?
I'll look into purchasing one or more of these images if I can
find the right ones and can be assured they are better quality
than what we are looking at here.
Take care, _________________ Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
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wesk Site Administrator
Joined: Apr 04, 2005 Posts: 16365 Location: Wisconsin
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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 6:44 am Post subject: |
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You can see the gloss of the A1 cover easily. In the OL
photos many appear to have been taken on overcast days
offering little in the way of direct sunlight. You can just see some
glossiness on that 1911 holster.
The original backs were just covers that went over the springs
and padding and screwed to the frame, correct?
I think one of the vendors is selling one with a "pocket"
to slide the foam cushion into before attaching. _________________ Brian
1950 M38
MC11481
http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?set_albumName=album372&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php |
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RonD2 Member
Joined: Oct 02, 2014 Posts: 2004 Location: South Carolina, Dorchester County
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Posted: Thu Apr 28, 2016 7:27 am Post subject: |
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That squared-away Soldier's holster and boots have been spit-shined. Well done, the gloss can still be seen on a moonless night. It's a lost art now. Has been for a number of years, maybe decades. _________________ Ron D.
1951 M38 Unknown Serial Number
1951 M100 Dunbar Kapple 01169903 dod 5-51
“The only good sports car that America ever made was the Jeep."
--- Enzo Ferrari
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4x4M38 Member
Joined: May 30, 2014 Posts: 3459 Location: Texas Hill Country
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