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Where to look for markings on your ex-military vehicle
Page under
construction April 2008
Knowing WHERE to look for old markings on your ex-military vehicle is
critical! The history is usually ONLY recorded in the painted on markings
and the decals (transfers).
If you sand blast a vehicle or Redi-Strip it or power sand it without
first finding the markings (all levels of them) then it is like reformatting
your computer hard drive without a back-up.
Each country's military forces have their own marking systems. Not only
have these changed over the years, but also sometimes geographically (e.g.
when serving abroad) and usually the systems differ between the various
services (navy, army and air force). You need to do your homework before you
start sanding.
I have sanded down many vehicles for markings and I continue to be
surprised. Study photos of your type of vehicle, especially for the military
force that you know used it (e.g. an M38CDN would have normally only served
in the Canadian army, navy or air force, though one has been found that had
USAF markings!)
Be careful and go slowly as you only get one chance (two or more chances
when same marking is repeated on both sides and/or front and rear of the
vehicle. e.g. 52.???34 on one side of an M38CDN and ?2.208?? can be
pieced together to be 52-30834. Be careful not to mix different types of
numbers as some vehicles have several different numbers from service
in different armies or different periods. e.g. my 1944 Willys MB jeep had a
USA registration number (found painted on front bumper or all places!) a
British Army WD number (not found as hood had been changed and a Norwegian
Army registration number "5583" (on documents and also written in grease
pencil on the jeep when sold surplus.)
This page will deal mainly with Canadian military vehicle markings. It
is a complex topic. I have two file drawers full of manuals and orders for
Canadian vehicle markings from 1940 to the 1980s.
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