Tom wrote:Hello Zeph,
Great Find!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From my GPW studies and databases, Hood number 20104135 should be the correct number for GPW 23515. You should also find a blue drab " S " on the side of the cowl about inline with the side of the hood.
The number you found is most likely not the original number but rather a repaint in blue drab. The original hood number would have been on the side of the hood in 2 inch tall by 7/16 inch thick numbers. The original U.S.A. should be about where the current numbers are now located.
Thanks, Tom!
Ronnie Guin wrote:Zeph, as already said the blue drab is original factory paint, but was used on some repaints. I discovered on my GPW 2956 that it had been repainted twice while in service. I recovered the hood number three times. First was in white, then in blue located about where yours is, and finally in blue again located about one inch from the bottom of the hood. This was the factory location. Each time my numbers were the same.
You will find the first star about a inch and a half from the windshield on the cowl if it were painted per the book?
Take your time on the back and start on the side where the two is and get a feel for how much paint you will go through. I like to used paint stirpper and slowly go through the layers. I figure the back panel might have only one set of numbers, especially if a gas can was added to the back.
Thanks for the spring pictures!
Ronnie, thank you for the locations of the other numbers and stars. I hadda work again today, so I will hopefully get another crack at checking for them later this week.
OldGPW wrote:Zeph, the numbers mentioned as being the in wrong position (being a re-stencil) are the set on the top in your photo.
The lower set that is hard to see is where the numbers would normally be, and where they would have been located when painted by the factory.
Tom, have you figured out which assembly plant it might have come from?
OldGPW, you know, I didn't notice the other blue below my original discovery until late last night when I was looking at the picture again. I will try to get a better look at that as well. It almost appears that there is some white paint under there in spots as well. However, I know about the first inch or two has had a lot of sanding on the bare metal below the paint layers which doesn't look factory to me. I originally thought that the whole hood was sanded, but was happy to find what I have so far. I hope to have time this week to have another go at revealing additional details. Thanks again for everyones assistance!
Zeph