White M38A1

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 12:31 pm

I have a 1952 M38A1 which I am in the process of doing a full frame-off restoration. I am assembling the frame and driveline at this point, and planning on finishing the body this summer.

I was told that my jeep was a follow-me vehicle but I don't really believe that was the case, based on a few factors. If anyone has insight into what this thing was really used for it would be very helpful.

1. Paint - The paint layers are as follows: OD Green(very thin), White, OD green, Safety Orange, OD Green. The hood letters were applied onto the white layer in what looks to me like green paint. Found no evidence of letters on any layer other than white. The white paint was applied everywhere. The orange paint was applied everywhere.

2. Ordnance Stamp - Data plate stamped with crossed cannon barrels.

3. Radio - Radio antenna mount holes, but no evidence of a radio actually mounted or wired in.

I have seen no pictures of a white jeep online. Where would such a paint scheme been used? Does the world need another OD green M38A1, or should I paint it up like it was used to carry out a true restoration?

I can post pictures of the data plate and the hood if need be. (I'm at work right now)

Thanks to all for looking!

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 1:28 pm

Not sure if this is relevant (based on the lack of hood numbers), but these photos are from the Lebanon Crisis (1958):

Those look to be CJ5's, but maybe some M38A1's made it over there too? The beauty about monochrome photos; you can't tell if those jeeps are white or sand colored.

On the M38A1.com site, they state that white jeeps usually indicated US Forestry Service use, but again the hood number on the white paint disagrees with that theory too.

Just my random thoughts.......
Owen.

frankthecrank58 · Post by **frankthecrank58** » Tue Nov 20, 2012 4:48 pm

white jeeps were used by the U.N.

DJ · Post by DJ » Tue Nov 20, 2012 6:09 pm

Civil Air Patrol?

skyjeep50 · Post by **skyjeep50** » Fri Nov 23, 2012 11:29 am

I believe white jeeps were also used by Civil Defence.

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:23 am

Thanks for the info so far.

Those pics from Lebanon are neat, even if it's repurposed CJ stuff!

I will take some quality pictures of the hood numbers I found along with the data plates and post them.

If the jeep was issued to the UN, would it have gotten a US Army Ordnance inspection stamp and hood numbers?

Stumped.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 pm

They weren't issued to the UN from Willys. They were utilized by the US Army or the Canadian Army when performing duties under the auspices of the UN and they were often repainted white for that duty period only. The Canadians did the same thing and did it much more often then the US did.

Beast · Post by **Beast** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 9:47 am

There is a fellow over at the M715zone.com who served with Pershing missile batteries who had pictures of several vehicles that were painted white and he said they were assigned to the warhead unit and were the only ones allowed to go out to the firing sites. I found one of the pics he put up that showed the white M715 that they nicknamed the "white elephant".

So there is the possibility that your Jeep may have been used by a missile battery at the firing site. If you find any of the bumper unit markings belonging to a missile battery then that might just be your answer.

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 7:35 pm

Hood numbers are 80880209, plate numbers 18855, dated 9/52, tub numbers match.

Unfortunately the bumper numbers are gone. The hood is the only area that has surviving paint left. The frame was blasted before I got it and the body and fenders have been sanded up.

I would much rather paint it up in white for a missile unit than UN colors. I will have to decide what to do later on as more info emerges.

Thanks guys, the responses are awesome. If there is any feedback on the paint layers I would love to hear it.

Should it go back to white? It is going to be painted OD before I really decide what to do. I'm kind of thinking that it would look good if I painted the hood white and left the rest OD.

Thoughts?

Post by **wesk** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:04 pm

Looking at my M38A1 database the hood number should be 20960209.

Looks like you may have 8 coats of paint there. Have you tried a very careful sanding of the top, center, rear 10" of the hood? This would rule out a common practice of overpainting the US Army and the Hood number with spray paint when they were auctioned off. What have you found for paint layers behind the dash?

What branch of service is shown on the lower left dash plate (Responsible Agency Plate)?

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:17 pm

You are right! I found something interesting written on the back of the data plate! The hood numbers 20960209 along with G-613!

The Ordnance Dept is the responsible agency for all fields.

Cool stuff.

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 8:18 pm

White is evident where the data plate was.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Nov 26, 2012 11:46 pm

What about the inside of the dash/cowl up high?

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:04 am

I will not get a chance to check that out until the weekend, since I am traveling to Detroit to buy a machine for work the rest of the week. I will look on Saturday and post my findings.

I'm curious though, what is the meaning of G-613? Isn't that the designation of a truck?

What can I expect to find when I look under the cowl? At this point I expect to find Captain Kidd's treasure map.

Thanks

notfrommt · Post by **notfrommt** » Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:48 am

I looked behind the glovebox and up under the front cowl. It is OD, with no evidence of any other color.