Head lamp question

[Gravedigger]

I have discovered while in process of bringing our M-37 back to life the left head lamp is burned out. I saw an individual rhat is advertising a NOS set of amber headlamps for an M-37. My question is what was the purpose of an amber headlamp. Fog lamps i understand , but the entire headlamp system is interesting.

[w30bob]

Ok............I'll go out on a limb here. Those headlights aren't really amber, they're called Selective Yellow.......which is the same shade of yellow everyone calls amber. In France motor vehicles were required to use Selective Yellow headlights (not fog-lights) until recently (1993). So it's possible those amber headlights were used on US military vehicles stationed in France before 1993.

Hey.........I said I was going out on a limb. Anybody know if that's the real answer or not?

regards,
bob

[52 M-42]

These yellow / amber headlights were an artifact of the Vietnam War. These were supposedly better in that environment.

Some people who spent their time with the transportation units in-country can probably provide much more information. You might also try over on the Steel Soldiers website. I recall quite a few discussion threads over there on these headlights.

[just me]

French used them as headlights in all vehicles. And in an area with fog and mist, they create less glare. I don't like them as I find them to washout contrast for me at night. Especially here where the background is tan.

[Gravedigger]

Thanks to all that have replied. I do appreciate your answers. It makes sense. I will stay with original issue headlamps but the amber lamps just caught my attention.

[Tim Powell]

I was on the road when I heard about this discussion.
My guess was use on an airfield?? (what can I say, I'm just a truckdriver)
Glad you got a "real" answer Gravedigger!