willysmjeeps.com

Hi can you help is the correct size of the bonnet star on a m38 15in or 16in. Thanks.

TB 746-93-1 Colour and Marking of Military Vehicles


Recommended Locations and Sizes of the National Symbol ( To supplement figures 2 through 8 ).
Vehicle Size in inches Location 1/4 Ton Utility Trucks
6" Right, left sides
6" Front fenders or cowl
20" Top of hood

Thanks Wesk. getting wrong info from local military stenciling company.
The owner of the company made out he new all about the m38 markings.
Thanks again. snoopy

Wes, what was more common for the M38? Six inch stars on the top of the cowl or on top of the fenders?

Hello Ken,
I usually try to avoid this star issue. I personally don't care for them. They were not usually painted on here in the states. They were only required if wanted by the theater commander. Generally if we had total air superiority in the field there was no need for them.

If you look at these photos you'll see that the cowl and fenders usually didn't get any starts. One 6" on each side rear guarter, one almost 6" on the bumper and one 20" on the hood.





The Air Force was a little less flamboyant with the stars:



The purpose of the fnder or cowl stars in the manual was to display the star towards the front so it could be seen as the jeep approached you. This was often done on the M38A1 because of the front section of the fender was turned down and had a large flat surface facing forward. The M38 fender does not offer this frontal area of sheet metal in it's fenders.

Ok,

I thought you were refurring to an M38 in one of your above post where you wrote,......6" Front fenders or cowl.

I like the stars, I think they add something to the jeep.

Nope,
That was a quote directly from the general Army TB for the exterior markings late fifties thru 60's.

Hi. when did they make the change from 15in to 20in want to set my jeep up in korea markings. Thanks