stencil and decal markings

[Cav Trooper]

This has probably been hashed out earlier but, I can't find anything on it. My question is, does anyone have a definitive list and pictures of the all of the markings on a generic M37 ie; not an Ambulance or Maintenance vehicle? Army issue of the Viet Nam era. My truck has the TP, fuel, hood and stars, also the dash plates but, I know I'm missing the underhood secure stencil and I now have a PRC 77 mounted in the rear so, is there specific decals and stencils for the radio? Hope I'm not confusing with the question. Picture would be great.

[WarrenD]

I don't think Nam era trucks had much in the way of standards, at least not after they had been there for a while. I've seen photos of trucks with and without TP stencils, I've seen variations of tailgate markings, variations of fuel fill to none at all, etc. Some had door stars, some didn't, sometimes the size varied. In early Nam I've seen shots of standard 50's markings, ie, the direction of the hood star then later, the hood star flipped.

[52 M-42]

When I was in, way back in the day, ('68 to '71) markings were pretty varied. I remember dash boards stenciled with "no smoking" and tail gates stenciled with "do not drop tailgate" and fill rates stenciled by the gas cap which was supposed to have stopped in 1958. There were all kinds of different warnings under the hood. If your vehicle had radios there were all kinds of additional decals and stencils.

VN was a war zone and while some areas were safer than others, markings varied wildly. Inspectors and other perfumed princes on the big bases, Da nang, Cam Ranh, Saigon, got all prissy at times, but most people just didn't care too much.

Sometimes people get too caught up in "factory perfect". In VN it was more what worked, and not what some manual or some "spit shine, by the book" 1st Sgt wanted.

Just my experience.

So............. just mark it like you want. That's mostly what we did (or didn't do). I'm sure it will be representative of somewhere in-country.

52 M-42

[k8icu]

There is a radio sticker that is red with silver letters that goes on the dash I forget exactly what it says but like turn off radio before starting or something like that. Under the hood should read "secure hood in raised position" or WARNING Secure hood in raised position. No smoking and or MAX SPEED 45 on the dash could be put on also.

[Cav Trooper]

Thanks guys for the information. I drove these trucks in Germany and Nam, never payed much attention to any of the stickers, decals, stencils. I wasn't a regular driver ie; in Nam when I/we needed a deuce, three quarter or jeep, we just grabbed one that was not in use and drove it. We usually ran up and down the flightline or back to the Company area about 1/2 mile away, we even drove the big flightline fork lift to chow if we needed a ride. It was just another set of wheels. I have just a few things that I wanted to mark, more for all of the guys who stop by at a cruise in, car show or parade and hash over back in the day when we were young and these trucks were a big part of our lives.

[m-37Bruce]

Hey CT,
I think Rick Larsen should have everything you need, either stencil or 3M peel & stick?
Rick has an M-37 and loves to talk shop.

http://www.militarystencils.com/

[vtdeucedriver]

Hey Cav,

Rick can definatly help you out. I am only 40 but for the last 19 years, I have been doing research about Vietnam and since I am into restoring MV's of the time period that are VN accurate. I would be willing to help out and give you some tips on what you need. This is the fun part of the hobby that I enjoy the most!!

Here is my newest add on to my M-151.

[vtdeucedriver]

This is my M52A2,

[vtdeucedriver]

Here is the M-151 next to a UH-1 (posted this one since you were with the 71st AHC) and BTW, I have a copy of Chuck Gross's book Rattler One-Seven.

I have a audio recording of a mission in 1969 from start to return to the field. This day I had it playing from inside the Huey.
I am also a Aircraft Mechanic by trade so I get off on working on them too.