willysmjeeps.com

Wouldja do the frame in black/undercoat OR do the whole frame in strata blue?
Anybody know how USAF did it? I *think* it was all blue.

Thanks,


FJ

Early M38's came to the USAF in 2430 OD with 2430 OD poorly applied to a black frame. In most cases when the USAF got around to painting these early M38's Strata Blue they shot them with the body on the chassis so depending on the agility and enthusiasm of the painter the chassis may have gotten a little bit of blue or a lot of blue but certainly not all blue.

Later M38's are assumed to have left Willys in Strata Blue for the USAF and there has not been any confirmed data on exactly what got what colors at Willys. A lot of conjecture is out here but very little factual information. I did my USAF blue M38 in the manner I believe them to have been done in 1951. Strata Blue body with many bolt on items as delivered in OD. I made an exception even though I believe the frames all got shot with 2430 OD over their original one coat black I went with entirely black frame because I like it that way.

I went with a black frame on my USAF m38 as well. However it does have evidence of being painted blue at one point, along with the axles and springs.

While painting my M38a1 Strata Blue, I left the frame black and will be going over it again with a semi or flat black. It does look better that way. I can't remember too well but, I think our AF trucks had black frames. If memory serves my well today. Anyway, that's the way I'm painting mine.

Wes has some good photos in his USAF MV's album. Like this one:

If you look at the front of the frame (where the bumper bolts to) it looks like it could be blue. Of course, it would've made things simpler if they'd bothered to wash the jeep down prior to that photo being taken.

I did mine strata blue 'cos my jeep will have white bumpers & a white grille (they were originally that color on my jeep, on top of the OD). I thought that was enough colour variation. If I ever get the body tub repaired and into blue paint, I'll post a photo of it.

In the end, the color of your frame will come down to personal choice. If you like the idea of a black frame, then go for it.

Owen.