M38 service and paint colors

[skyjeep50]

I am rebuilding a '51 M38 and was wondering if the M38 was used by the Navy and painted Navy gray, the Air Force in Strata blue or the Marines in Forest green. My Jeep has a rattle can OD paint job (by the previous owner) and was previously a fire dept. Jeep so the red shows through in places - will definately need a new paint job. I'd like to finish the M38 if possible in a different color that my M38A1. Thanks!

[Bill_F]

My USAF jeep is blue

[Jim]

What have you found under the red paint?

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

[dynodave]

Good looking jeep - no matter what color!

[wesk]

The preponderance of evidence supports all M38's left Willys with 2430 OD. About 1954 there is evidence that M38A1's began leaving the factory with colors specific to the gaining military branch. Most of this evidence is from factory documentation and personal testimony of factory employees.

There have been three cases brought to my attention of M38 tubs having only traces of primer and Air Force Strata Blue. And I have seen at least 20 cases of 2430 OD under Strata Blue as well. I don't feel this is firm evidence the jeep left Willys Blue. I do believe based on factory documents that by the mid 50's the Willys factory drawings began to show dated changes on them that addressed the use of alternate colors like Strata Blue for USAF parts. This makes it quite easy to explain a factory replacement M38 tub showing up at an Air Force base for use on one of their jeeps that had been severely damaged.

[skyjeep50]

I haven't sanded down through the paint layers to see what is underneath but the frame, axles and underside is the original OD - never was painted red. When I repaint, I will do a some exploring for serial numbers and markings. The M38 came to me in almost original condition still equipped with the gun rack and shovel and ax. Seat coverings are canvas duck and are undoutedly original. The engine was a civilian L-head and the carb was a Carter W-O but the 24 volt electrical system is still there. The engine was a Bubba'd mess and failed as I drove it off my trailer ramp at home after buying the Jeep and bringing it home. Left a streak of oil down the ramp and across my driveway - what a pain. So I located a rebuilt RMC motor for it and am doing a mechanical "refreshening" - engine and trans rebuilt, axles gone through, new brake system, new gas tank, carb will be a Solex until I find a proper one. The only serious rust was under the gas tank. There are some dents in the back panel. I enjoy this forum and appreciate all the advice!

[wesk]

The M38 frames came to the production line at Willys with no primer and a single coat of satin black. Then Willys oversprayed the whole thing with OD.

[skyjeep50]

Thanks Wes!
My M38 has been painted over quite a few times that I can tell and probably before the fire dept painted it red. The OD paint underneath is pitted and chipped and in places, especially on the floors, you can see thick runs. Makes me think that the Jeep spent a bunch of years in a military unit that overpainted it to make it look good without taking the time to smooth out previous paint imperfections. National Guard or Reserves?? How long did M38's hang around in military service before being sold to the civilian market? And were M38's used by the Navy in gray paint - that's what I'm leaning towards when I repaint.

[wesk]

In most cases the M38's reached retirement during the early 60's with most actually actually moving on to government agencies like the US Forest Service, BLM and many state DNR's and Forest services. The bulk of those to get to civilians came from their release from these agencies.

Yes the Navy ran M38's in gray although they came to them from Willys in OD 2430.

[skyjeep50]

Thanks Wes - very helpful info!