Your opinions

[refit1701]

That explains why the lettering near the gas cap were white and not yellow when I uncovered them. Mine is a '53....

[powerwagontim]

Mine is a 51 and I uncovered yellow lettering. Go figure!
Tim

[cuz]

The stenciling that you uncover from sanding are not always the first or are not always applied on the DOD.

[Lifer]

Mine is a 51 and I uncovered yellow lettering. Go figure!
Tim

By October of 1958, the TO specified yellow markings on blue vehicles. Any vehicle in service at that time would have had the white markings removed and repainted unless it was slated for disposal. Once the directive was changed, the new markings would have been applied ASAP as most unit commanders are pretty picky about things like that (but not as picky as the Inspectors General).

[Cal_Gary]

Wear your gear, DAP.
Most members of this hobby seem to be pretty open-minded when it comes to "period attire", fatigues, BDUs and the like. Once in a while you might get a remark from some stuffy person who believes in pointing out flaws in uniform displays, vehicle restorations, incorrect ammo boxes, musette bags, and on and on and on, etc. but those are the exception rather than the rule. Those individuals need to get a life-to seek and destroy a fellow member's hard work over such pettiness as "that bolt should be an F-script 1/4 x 24NC, not a standard Grade 5..." should be left for the judges, not the general HMV population, unless, of course, you asked for their input.
Just my 2 cents,
Gary

[m-37Bruce]

The stenciling that you uncover from sanding are not always the first or are not always applied on the DOD.

But found no markings what-so-ever. But my tailgate had lots to say, it belonged to a US Army Dodge M-37, it is still visable under several coats of red, silver & od. I'll try and post a tight shot of it later?

[cuz]

No markings at all is indicative of a very thorough strip and repaint by a civvy owner before you got the truck.