White markings (stars, letters,numbers, etc.)

[farmercraig]

I'm restoring a 1951 M-38. Am done painting it color #23070 (semi-gloss) and now want to paint the white "markings". I have the 2" letters and numbers to make a template and plan on painting U.S.A. above the hood number, is that correct? Also, what stars and placement of stars should I paint. I believe the hood star is 15", which way does the point face and how is the star positioned on the hood? Where do the 6" stars go? ie. rear corners on side? One on each side of the front of the windshield? Any other common markings?
Craig

[wesk]

Stars are like Machine Guns. Most stateside M38's didn't have them. The star is for aerial identification and they were painted on at the discretion of the theater of operations commander.

Items painted on the jeep would be time period specific. The regulations and TB's directing how they be placed on the jeeps changed quite a bit over the years these jeeps were in use. This means you'll have to tell us what time period markings you are wanting to use.

The regulations and TB's that were used for this purpose by the Army are:
AR 850-5 with changes from 1945 through 1954
TB ORD 626 Oct 57
TB ORD 2300-10/1 Apr 58
TB 9-263 Apr 59
TB ORD 677 Jul 62
TB ORD 1058 Jun 63
TB 746-1 Oct 63

I have a few of the AR 850-5 and TB 9-746-1 pages on my photo site:
http://mvpaintmarkings.mypicgallery.com/

[farmercraig]

I would like to know the markings for the time period around 1951 to 1953 (end of the Korean War). Was the direction of the star on the hood left up to the discretion of the theater of operations commander?
Craig

[wesk]

If you will open the web page photos I mentioned the answers are in those pages. The direction of the star points was listed in the regulation. It did switch at 1954.

[farmercraig]

Thanks for your help. This forum is very helpful, answers many questions we all have.
Craig