By golly, it worked. By wetting, checking pictures, getting the light just right, etc., I was able to determine that something was on the body sides. I thought it had all been obliterated, but with some judicious light sanding, wetting, and being easy with the scrubbing, I actually cleared some of the obliterating overlay, and found bits of the original yellow paint used for the markings. It took a bit more doing, but I've been able to establish that it is what I suspected, the marking reads (on each side of vehicle):
U.S. Air Force
Medical Service
53K 774 (these numbers are indigenous to my vehicle)
For Official Use Only
The top three lines are in 1 1/2 inch lettering, the bottom one is 1 inch lettering.
So finally, I've got a clear picture now of what all the original markings were on the entire vehicle. The only marking that I have NOT been able to figure out, is a very faded stencil marking, on the cowl area under the hood, that says "Code 4012". Any ideas??
M-43 Air Force Ambulance
Moderators: Cal_Gary, T. Highway, Monkey Man, robi
Re: M-43 Air Force Ambulance
Terry K.
1953 USAF M-43
Hillsboro OR
Vietnam Vet, USN
1953 USAF M-43
Hillsboro OR
Vietnam Vet, USN
Re: M-43 Air Force Ambulance
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
1953 M37
1964 M151A1
1967 M416
1984 M1008
4/1952 M100
12/1952 M100 gone
1964 M151A1
1967 M416
1984 M1008
4/1952 M100
12/1952 M100 gone
Re: M-43 Air Force Ambulance
Great news, good advice Rick!
Bruce,
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
1953 M-37 w/ow
Retired Again
Keep Em Rollin'
VMVA
Re: M-43 Air Force Ambulance
What an amazing find! Wish I'd known of this process before I tossed my old cancered out hood....
Sorry, I have no idea what the Code number is for.
Gary
Sorry, I have no idea what the Code number is for.
Gary
Cal_Gary
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
1954 M37 W/W
MVPA Correspondent #28500
Re: M-43 Air Force Ambulance
Good find on the markings. Now you can get your truck painted and remarked. Unfortunately I have no idea what code 4012 is. I did a google search but didn't come up with anything concrete to be able to say oh it means this. It might have been something the unit did....who knows....
M37s are HMMWV in my world!