Neat find under paint

[32sbct]

Like most I have tried to find some history for my jeep under the paint. Unfortunately in my case the serial number information is all gone. Also I have been unsuccessful in finding any registration numbers on the hood.

The jeep has six coats of paint. The first is 2340, the second is strata blue, then black, then what looks like 24087. My brother then painted some of it with Rustoleum red primer, than some OD green Rustoleum paint.

The only thing I know for sure is that the jeep was repainted Air Force Strata blue and spent time with the Air Force. There are some yellow markings on the bumperettes but I cant make out what they are.

Today I was removing the center door to the windshield frame and saw what looked to be a small spot of red paint under a chip. Intrigued, I began the very slow process of scraping/chipping the paint with the help of a heat gun. As you can see it revealed two 28th Division Staff Sergeant decals. My brother brought this jeep in Pa. in 1976 so the 28th decal makes sense.

I was really excited by this find but I have no other evidence that this was a Guard jeep. This part of the jeep only had four coats of paint. The decals were under the 24087 and the black paint. I cant tell, even with a magnifying glass what color is directly under the decals. It is either on an earlier coat of black, or right on top of the strata blue.

Maybe the first owner was in the guard and put the decals on? The Staff Sergeant rank as depicted was introduced in 1958. I know the jeep was sold as military surplus in 1963. I can see no reason why the guard would have a black jeep or why they would have a strata blue jeep. That being said I was in the Pa. Guard in the mid eighties and many of our M151A2s were surplus from the Marine Corps. We put new vehicle ID on the bumpers but the USMC markings stayed on the hood. I'd like to hear what you all think. Thanks.

[RICKG]

A neat find!! If these trucks could only talk..
_________________
keep 'em rollin'
RICKG MC 51986 DOD 01-52, '50 CJ3a

[DMCarpenter]

Take a look at the pics in my album (DC Carpenter). Mine is a USAF 38a1 and I have some yellow marking pics. They may give you a couple more places to look. I have a sneaking suspicion (supported by no documentation or anyone else's opinion) that the yellow numbers on all five wheels is part of the hood number.

Good luck.

Dave