Air Force M37s

sunsetoutpost2 · Post by **sunsetoutpost2** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:22 am

Can anyone tell me if the Air Force M37s used the same OD green canvas for cab or cargo? What were the original seat covers? I saw an earlier post that said the steering wheels were not green, but black instead. One of my M37s is ex Air Force and have changed my mind on paint color from OD to strata blue. The truck also has a PTO box. Did the Air Force have winch turcks or did the fire department add this when they welded the pump to the front bumper?

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 3:30 am

I hope the seats were the same, since I found a original OD passenger seat bottom for mine. I goofed and bought a green Steering wheel though.

I don't think that too many AF trucks had winches, but that doesn't mean yours didn't.

Mine doesn't even have a slave cable adapter.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 5:01 am

Yes, the Air Force had winch trucks. Most were W/OW, but some cane equipped with winches and (usually) telephone maintenance bodies.

The seats and cargo canvas were OD green. Didn't match the blue paint real well, but it was a "standard" color and I guess no one figured it was necessary to order blue canvas.

The steering wheel, shift lever, and t-case levers were usually black in Air Force trucks. They may have been OD upon delivery, but would have been repainted locally.

m15256 · Post by **m15256** » Sat Jun 06, 2009 12:45 pm

1954 Air Force M56 with original paint job in my driveway. Steering wheel blue over gray primer over black. Column,handles,pedals,floor, everything strata blue. With the exception of the defroster box, choke and throttle cable knobs (replacements?) which are OD. Three of the seat covers look original in OD canvas. Hope this helps.

sunsetoutpost2 · Post by **sunsetoutpost2** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 2:56 am

Thanks. What about the cargo canvas, OD also?

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 3:13 am

All the canvas would be OD.

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 5:00 am

Hello Frame up restorers, And I notice on my 1952 ex- air force M37 remains under the wheel wells of what were the strata blue paint you refer to in this thread. My original seat covers are OD, and my steering wheel is OD also. There are many holes drilled into the sides of diferent diameter the bed seemingly original for some sort f equipment (?)...

knattrass · Post by **knattrass** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 1:53 am

peter - hope all is well on the island. We had similar hole patterns in all 4 corner of the box indicating the vehicle had 4 antenna set-ups as a radio command truck. We left them alone as part of the original truck - I know some guys plugged/puddle welded them up - we like the swiss cheess look. keith

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 3:52 am

Hey Keith, I too will keep the originality of the hole, although I may put up at least one antenna..

refit1701 · Post by **refit1701** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 6:48 am

My bed has at least three antenna mounting hole groups on the driver's side. I might put on one antenna, just for looks. No radio's though....

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 5:24 pm

Hello , and i wish i knew how to post pictures, i would send some of how my truck looks ; the holes are in the side panels, drivers side too...

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Fri Jul 31, 2009 9:46 pm

Peter go to a photo site like "photo bucket " and open a free account .Then upload pictures from your computer to your photo account and then link them to here. Copy and paste the img code like this:

try it in the test area here on the site
Its easy. If I can do it so can you

peter e mark · Post by **peter e mark** » Sat Aug 22, 2009 11:19 am

Thank mYou rixim37, I will try it

rixm37 · Post by **rixm37** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:12 am

HEY look what I found in my B36 book. An M37 follow me truck in yellow. I wish the door was closed but its the first pic of one I have found at work. The top is OD green. Also note the black wheels and the axle end painted yellow.

Lifer · Post by **Lifer** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 8:41 am

Yeah....SAC always had "special rules." I always thought it was because they thought of themselves as a distinctly separate branch of service. Kinda like SAC/USAF equates to USMC/NAVY.