M38A1 into Israeli colors

[Chief_919]

I got this one a few years ago, and it was changed enough to never be a perfect restoration, so I am doing it in IDF Six Days War markings. Rough paint got done today.

 

[nattieleather]

Looks good.

 

[silverstate55]

Would like to see it when completed; I was lucky enough to visit Israel in 1991 and LOVED it. Fantastic people, very resourceful and ingenious.

 

[goldneagle]

I got this one a few years ago, and it was changed enough to never be a perfect restoration, so I am doing it in IDF Six Days War markings. Rough paint got done today.

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I have a couple of books here from the 6 DAY WAR if you need any info. I was there during that time.

 

[L1A1]

Subscribedopcorn: . Sounds like a really interesting project.......

Matt

 

[Chief_919]

I have a couple of books here from the 6 DAY WAR if you need any info. I was there during that time.

That would be great!

Making progress...

 

[KaiserM109]

Was the towbar part of the Israeli TO&E?

 

[Chief_919]

Was the towbar part of the Israeli TO&E?

No, that was a later civilian addition. I will put a wire cutter on those mounts shortly.

 

[FrankUSMC]

Chief
I am building a 1955 M38A1C (M38A1 with 106 recoilless rifle). I had planned on painting it also as a Israeli 6 day war jeep, because at the time I had a lot of tan paint. I have now given the tan paint to a young Marine to paint his M35A2. So, the M38A1C will be a 1968 time frame Marine jeep. Your jeep looks good, stop by if you ever make a run to the coast.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

 

[Chief_919]

Chief
I am building a 1955 M38A1C (M38A1 with 106 recoilless rifle). I had planned on painting it also as a Israeli 6 day war jeep, because at the time I had a lot of tan paint. I have now given the tan paint to a young Marine to paint his M35A2. So, the M38A1C will be a 1968 time frame Marine jeep. Your jeep looks good, stop by if you ever make a run to the coast.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

Good deal. Did that M38A1C windshield frame I sent to you wor out?

 

[FrankUSMC]

Chief
After I posted, I got to thinking, "did I get the windshield frame from him?".
The windshield frame is in a nice dry barn waiting to be put on. I have spent the last 3 years just finding the parts I needed to complete the jeep. Getting the 106 was the easy part! The M38A1C is going to be my winter project this year.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET.

 

[100acre]

The jeeeeeeeep

 

[Chief_919]

A little more done. She has done most of this freehand, really nice work.

 

[100acre]

A little more done. She has done most of this freehand, really nice work.

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Is that a racing stripe on the hood? Was that a typical thing they painted on the hoods back then?

 

[Chief_919]

Is that a racing stripe on the hood? Was that a typical thing they painted on the hoods back then?

It is an aerial recognition stripe. In the Six Day War the Israelis marked these stripes on all vehicles so that their pilots could easily identify friendly forces. When all sides were using similar vehicles, the issue of friendly fire was pretty big. The Jordanians and Egyptians also used M38A1's or CJ-5's.

Here are some period pics showing the markings. Sometimes they were stripes, some were a T. Pictures without are from before the war most likely, the stripes were added pretty last minute to keep it a secret.

 

[quickfarms]

If I remember correctly there was a jeep plant both in Israel and Egypt at that time. Both of these plants have produced some very interesting variants of the jeep.

 

[major519]

What is really cool aside from the Jeeps is the halftrack photos. In one of the photos, there are several HTs beside one another. What is interesting to me is the HT on the right hand side. It is a International Harvester. There is a distinct possibility that that is my old halftrack! My HT was ex Israeli and quite possibly used in the 6 Day War. Wish I still had it...

 

[Scarecrow1]

Nice looking jeep makes me want one .

 

[Another Ahab]

No, that was a later civilian addition. I will put a wire cutter on those mounts shortly.

Nice work.

I was liking the tow bar. But understand if it needs to go for authenticity.

Is it going?

 

[KaiserM109]

Chief
After I posted, I got to thinking, "did I get the windshield frame from him?".
The windshield frame is in a nice dry barn waiting to be put on. I have spent the last 3 years just finding the parts I needed to complete the jeep. Getting the 106 was the easy part! The M38A1C is going to be my winter project this year.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET.

I vaguely remember the M38 with a 106 recoilless we had in the 15th CEB had a split in the windshield where the barrel rested. Am I right?