USMC Wire Laying Jeep w/5th MarDiv Markings

[Splicer45]

I've seen that photo many times but never noticed the camo, very cool to know they were painted at Camp Tarawa. I have a friend who has access to alot of image records from the camp, maybe I can turn up Splicer before it deployed..

[Splicer45]

The reg number is so buried in paint/worn away, but my God my heart just hit my throat.

Footage is from March 1st in the area of the 5th MarDiv Divisional CP...

What say?!

[JAB]

I see 89503 on the period footage and a different number on Splicer. If you can reveal Spliers a little more you may still find it in another picture though!

[Splicer45]

Thx for the input, this is the first footage I've found with the reg in that position.

I hope I am able to reveal more of mine, and that is is not worn away to the point of being illegible...

[JAB]

Don’t forget to look for it on the other side. Sometimes you reveal partial numbers on each side and combine them to get the whole string of digits.

[Splicer45]

I just keep getting closer, another one in the same position from the same clip of footage...

[70th Division]

I just keep getting closer, another one in the same position from the same clip of footage...

Wow !!

That is great !
That jeep even has the dash mount !

Do not sand it at all !!
Use a flat push blade razor that you can get from Ace hardware, and slowly scrape off the covering paint.
It takes time, but you can get the original number uncovered to a point that we can decipher what it is !

I like to just rub the new blade a little over some other area, back and forth just to dull it a little, to reduce the sharpness, then get to carefully working on removing the paint on top of the number.
Once you know what one number is, carefully uncover all of it,that way you get good practice on how to carefully scrape.

The last 3 digits look like 285 or 235, first digit may be an 8 ?

The number location is an exact match to the Iwo one you located !!

Keep us posted !

Best Regards,
Ray

[Splicer45]

Do not sand it at all !!
Use a flat push blade razor that you can get from Ace hardware, and slowly scrape off the covering paint.
It takes time, but you can get the original number uncovered to a point that we can decipher what it is !

I like to just rub the new blade a little over some other area, back and forth just to dull it a little, to reduce the sharpness, then get to carefully working on removing the paint on top of the number.
Once you know what one number is, carefully uncover all of it,that way you get good practice on how to carefully scrape.

The last 3 digits look like 285 or 235, first digit may be an 8 ?

The number location is an exact match to the Iwo one you located !!

Keep us posted !

Best Regards,
Ray
[/quote]

Thanks for your wonderful contributions to this thread, Ray. I hope you're right that it is still covered and not worn away such that it can't be deciphered. With the blade approach, should I be concerned about another layer coming off with the one I'm working on?

[JAB]

Great question! In my experience with a hood that had MANY layers of THICK post-war paint jobs the razor did not work. In fact, I think I used 80 grit sanding pads on a DA sander to get close (actually, I didn't even know the original markings were there until they were revealed by the 80 grit!), and then went to a much finer grit afterwards to reveal as much as possible. I think each situation differs by the type of paint and how thick it is. No matter how you do it, proceed with caution! After I got to this point I primed it and painted it the same as I found it, giving a future restorer a chance to re-discover the original history.

[70th Division]

Do not sand it at all !!

The last 3 digits look like 285 or 235, first digit may be an 8 ?

The number location is an exact match to the Iwo one you located !!

Keep us posted !

Best Regards,
Ray

Thanks for your wonderful contributions to this thread, Ray. I hope you're right that it is still covered and not worn away such that it can't be deciphered. With the blade approach, should I be concerned about another layer coming off with the one I'm working on?
[/quote]

Hello,

Yes on what you have, especially with a lot of the number uncovered, use the razor blade and it will work perfectly.
Get a pack of additional blades from the hardware as well to reload when the blade gets dull.
Just use it slowly and carefully, working to uncover and remove the remaining paint over each digit.
I uncovered the almost gone blue drab hood numbers on my MB project that way, also on my 42 GPW.
Take your time, and it will be revealed, one number at a time .
Sometimes sanding will eliminate what you have, especially the numbers painted on like you have.


Good Luck !!


Best Regards,
Ray

[70th Division]

Great question! In my experience with a hood that had MANY layers of THICK post-war paint jobs the razor did not work. In fact, I think I used 80 grit sanding pads on a DA sander to get close (actually, I didn't even know the original markings were there until they were revealed by the 80 grit!), and then went to a much finer grit afterwards to reveal as much as possible. I think each situation differs by the type of paint and how thick it is. No matter how you do it, proceed with caution! After I got to this point I primed it and painted it the same as I found it, giving a future restorer a chance to re-discover the original history.

Wow Jeff,

What is the story on that jeep ???
Clearly a European return you have there !!

Best Regards,
Ray

[JAB]

..............
Wow Jeff,

What is the story on that jeep ???
Clearly a European return you have there !!

Best Regards,
Ray

As far as I can figure, the hood was definately a return but it was not original to the jeep. The Prestone 43 was the first clue, as it was a '44 MB. The jeep was comprised of many Ford GPW parts, so maybe it went through a re-build program at some point and was returned that way. I'm a GPW guy so I removed all the GPW parts for my GPW and installed MB or reproduction parts in their place and sold it here a few years ago.

[Mark Tombleson]

I used a very sharp chisel as the overlaying paint was thick and tough,

[Splicer45]

Forgetfulness has its perks from time to time lol. I've collected for decent amount of time for my age, and I totally forgot I had this. LtCol. Lorys J. Larson was a high-ranking member of 5th Sig Co, Splicer's unit. He was wounded and awarded the Bronze Stsr for his contribution to the landing. He was evac'd and returned to duty after he got patched up. Made my day when I found the files on my old hard drive! I keep data folders on every attributed item I find and hadn't browsed them in quite some time.

[The Fireman]

Yo

Far out, treasure it,

The Fireman