1951 Willys CJ2A NAVY JEEP

[Earl]

I just bought a 1951 CJ3A Navy jeep, the precious owner states the original color was OD with black lettering, then at sometime it was painted Navy Gray.  I would like to restore to original, but I need to find out about what color to start with. It has the Navy Data Plate vin number that matches the body data plates. It also has a M38 block casting number.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Earl

[Bob W]

What is the serial number of your new Jeep?

[Earl]

The serial number is 52402, Navy Stock number C78-T-45005-9501, DOD 11-51, US BAVY REG. NUMBER USN94-09247, CONTRACT NUMBER DA-20-089-ORD-20960FS.
Any help will be appreciated as I would like to take it back to original as possible.
Thanks, Earl

[Bob W]

Most of those Navy contract CJ-3As were painted Gray. Perhaps the primer is OD?

[Earl]

Bob, I understand that most were Navy gray, but this one was definitely painted Marine Green, it does have red oxide primer. You can tell on the tailgate red oxide, then Marine Green with solid black lettering, then navy gray with black stencil lettering.
There is also spots of red oxide primer then marine green on tub and frame under parts that were removed.

The data plate is not like the other Navy Jeep data plates, this one only has the USN 95-09247 number as the only other reference to being Navy is  STD. NAVY STOCK NUMBER C78-T-45005-9501. I can send you a photo of the data plate if that would help.

It also has the standard Willys vin plate.

Thanks, any help will be appreciated.
Earl

[Earl]

DATA TAG BRASS
 
TRUCK CARGO 1/4 TON COMMERCIAL 4X4
SUPPLY ARM OR SERVICE MAINTAINING VEHICLE  (blank)
MAKE AND MODEL - CJ3A WILLYS-OVERLAND MOTORS, INC. MFR'S SERIAL NO. 52402
STD. NAVY STOCK NUMBER    C78-T-45005-9501
DATE OF DELIVERY   11-51
U. S. NAVY REG. NUMBER   USN 94-09247
PAYLOAD, MAX 1100 LB.   G. WEIGHT, MAX  3500
CONTRACT NUMBER  DA-20-089-ORD-20960-FS
INSP.   RM (very lightly stamped, could be an "L" in front)

[Bob W]

Interesting. Please do send a photo of the data plate.

52cj3a@gmail.com

[athawk11]

I would like to see the plate too.  Can you post it here?

[Bob W]

That wider font lettering over the green sure does look like the original paint. I wish I had the contract information for these, but I don't, so I can not say for sure what color they were at delivery.

[Earl]

athawk11, I'm not sure how to post a photo to the site, I emailed you a photo. I have more of the original tailgate, if you are interested.

Bob, thanks for the help, I'll keep looking.
The DOD of this jeep is about the time Navy SeaBees were adding new units in the Korean War and I was wondering if it might be a SeaBees jeep???

[Earl]

data plate

[athawk11]

Thanks Earl!  Very cool.  Where did they mount this plate? 

[Earl]

Just left of regular long dash plate, almost center of dash.

[Earl]

Here are some photos of the original tailgate.

[Earl]

another original tailgate photo