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

WillysMotors · Post by **WillysMotors** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 5:54 am

As you can see the particular page of the BOM I posted was page 5 of 13.
It is also 1 of 4 MC Paint BOM's.

I'm not sure the answer will be totally clear cut. There were times before and after 1951 when small orders or contracts for non OD| M38's where as I have shown before, the BOM allowed taking an OD vehicle out of stock and overspraying it with a color specific to a branch of the service.

I still have not successfully tracked down the contracts, dates, and quantities, but I have not given up. There is another research trip in April.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:18 am

My jeep has a DOD of 2/52 if that helps at all. The original hood number is USAF N-1346 (still trying to figure out what the N stands for)

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 6:53 am

The original hood number is USAF N-1346 (still trying to figure out what the N stands for)

If it helps any, this is what I've found to date through various web searches (not all of them are backed up by photo evidence though):

DoD 2/52 - N-1346 (Bill_F's, obviously)
DoD 6/51 - N-1466
DoD 3/52 - N-1798
1951 (no DoD) - N-1357

I still have not successfully tracked down the contracts, dates, and quantities, but I have not given up. There is another research trip in April.

We all thank you for your continued efforts on this. Very much appreciated.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:03 am

I wonder if the jeep with N-1466 has the original data plates (Or if my jeep has the original plates). As my jeep with 2/52 dod has N-1346 and the 3/52 has N-1798 of course it could be like any hood number and just applied in no particular order.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:35 am

Here are some of the photos I mentioned. The N prefix was an early USAF registration numbering system from the late 40's/early 50's that used the N to denote a utility vehicle class. In later systems this changed.

This 51K represents the contract year, 1951, the vehicle class K and the last 4 of the serial.

In this 52/3 photo the A again represents a vehicle class and the 12273 is probably the serial. Note the old USAF marking remnants below the doorsill. Also not frame and underside of the fenders are still OD2430. I believe this unit was originaly OD2430 to the USAF and then it was painted outside/top only with Strata Blue.

Here again you see blue over OD2430 but only the USAF and the 7 digit registration number below the doorsill.

Here again you see blue over OD2430 and the original Ordnance hood number and the USAF version of the same number.

It can also be assumed that any replacement tubs from Willys shipped to the USAF would have been painted either OD2430, OD2430 covered by Strata Blue or Strata Blue only.

ECVJeeps · Post by **ECVJeeps** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 7:49 am

The body I have had both a "K" and a "N" number on it.
Possibly the hood or the door was changed in it's life?

The hood was given away, the artic top sits in a shed in the back yard.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:18 am

Wes,

I might be the pictures are not large enough but I am not seeing any od on the fedner wells of any of the jeeps in your photos. I see plenty of dirt but no od.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 8:28 am

Also here are the photos of my jeep while I was working on it.

Post by **Ryan_Miller** » Wed Apr 03, 2013 1:12 pm

Don't forget, there was a listing on the BOM for MARINE CORPS GREEN.

That is interesting!

Great information! Don't forget the hood number range for chrome yellow (N- numbers) listed on that previous blue print we found a couple years ago.

I would say that finding an original hood number in that range would help authenticate an AF Blue jeep. HOWEVER, hoods can be switched easily - my research has shown that all but 1 jeep that I know of so far was delivered on or after 2-52.

Thanks for the BOM information! I know it came at a great effort/cost

Powermwt · Post by **Powermwt** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:47 am

Is there any documentation on the USMC M38 jeeps as to contract quantity and any differences in parts or equipment?

Very cool finding the BOM my friend!

I note Willys Overland changed their List of Parts/Bill of Materials to include when changes were made.

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:44 pm

http://www.aeroimage.com/MilAir/Fighter ... 01BD15.jpg
I ran across this the other day..Note the whitewalls.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 12:51 pm

Nice find

evanso1975 · Post by **evanso1975** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 1:55 pm

Cool photo

, well spotted RICKG!

My tired eyes won't let me see that jeep serial number; is it N-4333?

Looks like that jeep has OD inside the wheelarches, and an OD rear wheel.

Bill_F · Post by **Bill_F** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:14 pm

That jeep does look to be od in the wheel wells. From what my eyes see the hood number is N-4333

RICKG · Post by **RICKG** » Thu Apr 04, 2013 2:20 pm

I enlarged it as much as possible and confirm N-4333.
It's gotta be the real thing if it's sittin next to a F-86 Sabre
at an AFB. I have no documentation as to where and when
the photo was taken..
Is that an APU behind the Sabre and would it be safety
yellow if it was at an AFB?