Color Question

mattveeder · Post by **mattveeder** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:00 pm

Did the air force have any trucks that were od? I have seen a few and they have been blue.

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 4:29 pm

Lifer will chime in but I believe that trucks "in theater" combat areas could be OD.

Mike Aaron · Post by **Mike Aaron** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 6:40 pm

The first time I rode in a M-37 was in Viet Nam. It was an air force truck on an air base. The truck was OD but not semi gloss, this was in 1967-68.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:53 am

Yes, the Air Force had (and has) OD trucks. As far as the M37 is concerned, early models could have been either OD or Strata Blue. By October of 1958, all air force vehicles were blue except for fire trucks (red) and POL trucks (yellow). Things began to change with our involvement in Viet Nam, though. "In-theater" vehicles could be painted in "subdued colors" (i.e. OD with black markings) at the commander's discretion. Only those vehicles with an active combat role (FAC jeeps, munitions trucks, etc.) got the "subdued" treatment, and many of them stayed blue if the local commander didn't feel it necessary to repaint them. Toward the end of our involvement in 'Nam (1972), the decision was made to paint all tactical (M-series) vehicles OD with black markings.

The M37 had a long and illustrious career with the armed forces. What unit/era you wish to portray will determine what color you want to paint your truck, as will its year of manufacture. If it is newer than 1958 and older than 1972, it should be blue if it was assigned to a stateside unit. If the unit you wish to represent was involved in Viet Nam (1965-1972), OD would be an acceptable option.

I hope that answers your question without muddying the water.