M38s blue from the factory???? (lots of pics)

Post by **wesk** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:57 am

I believe I already covered the possibility that the jeep's tub may have been a USAF refurbishment project tub. These would have been stripped in the huge stripping vats we had at most air force bases in the 50's thru the 70's before the regulations grew so stiff. Also there is the possibility they were special order tubs from Willys in the late 50's thru 60's that may have been ordered primed only or blue finish coated. Neither of you have indicated what color and type primer was under your blue paint.

I probably misunderstood your comments on OD and which parts of the jeep had it.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:13 pm

I have red oxide under the blue

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 2:15 pm

I am going to drop this thread now anyways. it has gotten way to long. I will not be posting about paint colors again. I will just post updates on my jeep and only ask questions about the running gear, and not markings or anything else cause my jeep is just different.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 3:55 pm

Hey guys,

I know everyone on this post and I think we are all saying the same thing, just when it gets typed out, it can appear differntly than we meant.

I think we have established that there are several explanations for these odd findings.

THE MAIN POINT WE SHOULD TAKE FROM THIS IS THAT WE SUPPORT EVERYONE IN PAINTING THEIR JEEP ANY COLOR THAT THEY LIKE.

I think you guys should paint those jeeps Air Force blue and post some photos.

I almost decided to paint my M38 AF blue as I think the jeeps look good that color and you don't see many of them.

I will probably get another M38 and paint it AF blue.

We should probably use more of the emoticons to make sure nobody takes our paint postings the wrong way!

Post by **wesk** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 6:40 pm

I haven't taken anything the wrong way. I was asked directly several times why I discounted Bill's jeep's color and I have tried twice now to explain that I didn't discount it but I considered it very carefully and was not convinced the blue paint came from the Willys factory between 1950 and 52. I have kept my comments positive, upbeat and friendly.

It is obvious to me that Bill has considered my evidence and was not convinced either. I have not asked for an explanation of why my evidence didn't measure up and I don't feel I need to ask.

So why do we have this sudden reluctance to post freely????

Where in this thread can someone point me to the nasty or unfriendly comments that could have caused this type reaction?????

Now I am totally confused!

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:17 pm

Wes,

I got the feeling that Bill was discouraged about the paint issue from his last posting so I wanted to make sure he did not misinterpret your postings.

I understood your postings and the thoughts/motives behind them, which I knew to be straightforward and honest with no ill intent or deprecation.

I was only trying to make sure we were all on the same page.

Paint is always a passionate subject!

Rtaylor · Post by **Rtaylor** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:25 am

Mine is red oxide under the blue.

Richard.

larrymay · Post by **larrymay** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 6:59 pm

To add some more on the Blue paint Item, I am in the process of tearing down a 1952 M38A1 and found that the body tub is blue under all the brackets, behind the dash, etc. The underside of the brackets are OD, and blue on the outside. So did it come from the factory that way, or??

Post by **wesk** » Mon Dec 19, 2005 8:12 pm

Most likely yes. The key word here is M38A1. What is the contract number on the dash serail plate on your A1?

larrymay · Post by **larrymay** » Wed Dec 21, 2005 10:41 am

The contact number is DA-33-019-ORD-630 DATE DEL IS 11/52

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 10:18 am

Here is a pic of Richards hood numers. Notice blue paint then green but no white letters. As notice layout is similar to mine except mine is U.S.A.F N-1346 I would like to know what the N means and what the A means.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 9:10 pm

The paint layering on Richard's hood tends to show the jeep was OD then USAF blue.

The letter prefix on USAF vehicle registration numbers during the late 50's, 60's and 70's usually denoted vehicle class or intended use. I have not been able to locate a list of these classes or uses yet. I believe they consisted of passenger, cargo, special purpose and etc.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 5:03 pm

Again his jeep is just like mine, hood had green which means it was just pulled off the line then painted blue. Tub only has blue paint, refer to pics I posted already of his jeep

Post by **wesk** » Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:45 pm

Or painted blue by the USAF when they made the switch to blue.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 1:09 pm

but if that was true wouldnt the hood numbers be on top of the green paint as well instead of just the blue paint. Look at the pics where the green comes through there are no numbers but where it is blue they are there. Same thing on my jeep