How to get your vehicle looking right!
VEHICLE MARKINGS AND SIZES.
One of the largest areas of Rolling Thunders displays is the vehicle section. We have a wide range and size of vehicles which attract a lot of attention. getting the colour and markings right is quite easy if you follow the guide below. Remember if you’re unsure just ask. it benefits everyone to get your vehicle looking sharp on the display.
M151/ M38A1 Markings
If your mutt is a post-October 1964 Army-version (or if that’s what you want it to represent), then here is the way to paint and mark it.
1. Body colour is semi-gloss Olive Drab, 24087;
2. All lettering is matt white paint Gothic-style or white vinyl can be used but not a mixture of paint and vinyl
3. Hood star size is 12″ (M38A1 20″) and should be applied to the front centre of the hood allowing for a folded down windscreen not to obscure the star marking
4. Cowl stars, and side Stars are 6″
5. U.S. ARMY on hood is 2″ and is to be centred from left to right on the side of the hood between edge of hood and breather cut out above the hood number
6. Hood Number (underneath US ARMY) is 2″ and is to be centred from left to right on the side of the hood between edge of hood and breather cut out.
7. Distance between U.S. ARMY and Hood number is 1/2 ” gap
8. Hood number should be 1/2 inch up from the hood lip where it meets the fender
9. Overfill fuel warning placed nearest filler neck
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL
ALLOW FOR EXPANSION
10. Tyre pressure marking 1″ TP20 (front) TP25 (Rear) centred above each wheel
11. Under-hood warning marking is in 1″ lettering and should read
SECURE HOOD
IN RAISED POSITION
BEFORE SERVICING ENGINE
12. The Major Command & Unit Designation (Bumpers) are 2″ front and back
13. A Yellow Bridge plate wouldn’t be fitted to this vehicle
14.If you have a DA Label 76 (A Good Driver), it would be located on the dashboard in front of the driver where possible
15.If your mutt is a pre-October 1964 Army-version (or if that’s what you want it to represent), then there is only a slight difference
US ARMY on hood is 3″ (not 2″)
Hood Number (underneath US ARMY) is 3″ (not 2″)
M715 / M37 Markings.
1. Body colour is semi-gloss Olive Drab, 24087;
2. All lettering is matt white Gothic-style or white vinyl can be used but not a mixture of paint and vinyl
3. Hood marking is size is 20″ and should be applied to the front of the hood allowing for a folded down windscreen not to obscure the star marking.
4. Door Stars Centrally-placed – both doors – 16″ size
5.Front Bumper star- centrally-placed – 6″ size
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6. Tailgate star, centrally-placed between the two EE in JEEP, 6″ size
7. U.S. ARMY on hood is 3″ lettering and centred left to right on hood edge above hood number
9. Distance between U.S. ARMY and Hood number is 1/2 ” gap
10. Hood number should be 1/2 inch up from the hood lip where it meets the fender
11. U.S. ARMY – 3″ size across tailgate below the Stamped JEEP marking on left hand side
12. HOOD Number 3″ size across tailgate below the Stamped JEEP marking on right hand side
13. The Major Command & Unit Designation (Front Bumpers) are 3″ high lettering
14. The Major Command & Unit Designation (Rear Bumperettes) are 1.5″ high lettering
15. Overfill fuel warning 1″ lettering placed nearest filler neck
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL
ALLOW FOR EXPANSION
16 Tyre pressure marking 1″ TP25 front tyres, and TP45 for rear tyres, all centred above each wheel
17. Under-hood warning marking is in 1″ lettering and should read
SECURE HOOD
IN RAISED POSITION
BEFORE SERVICING ENGINE
18. If using a Yellow Bridge plate on this vehicle it would be displaying the number 04
19. If you have a DA Label 76 (A Good Driver), it would be located on the inside of the driver’s door, just below the glass, as far forward as practical (ie nearest the dash) or on the dash nearest the door
M35 and M54 Truck Markings
1. Body colour is semi-gloss Olive Drab, 24087;
2. All lettering is matt white Gothic-style or white vinyl can be used but not a mixture of paint and vinyl
3. Hood marking is size is 20″ and should be applied to the front of the hood allowing for a folded down windscreen not to obscure the star marking.
4. Door Stars Centrally-placed – both doors – 16″ size
5.Front Bumper star- centrally-placed – 6″ size
–
6. Tailgate star, centrally-placed below tailgate on truck body 6″ size
7. U.S. ARMY on hood is 3″ lettering and centred left to right on hood edge above
8. Hood Number (underneath U.S. ARMY) is 3″ lettering
9. Distance between U.S. ARMY and Hood number is 1 ” gap
10. Hood number should be minimum 1″ up from the hood lip where it meets the fender
11. U.S. ARMY – 3″ size placed below tailgate on truck body on left hand side
12. HOOD Number 3″ size placed below tailgate on truck body on right hand side
13. The Major Command & Unit Designation (Front Bumpers) are 3″ high lettering
14. The Major Command & Unit Designation (Rear Bumperettes) are 1.5″ high lettering
15. Fuel tank warning 1″ lettering, (Solid line after caution)
CAUTION———————————
DO NOT FILL ABOVE THIS LINE
ALLOW FOR EXPANSION
16 Tyre pressure marking 1″ TP50 all tyres 2.5 ton trucks, TP70 all tyres 5 ton trucks, all centred above each wheel
17. Under-hood warning marking is in 1″ lettering and should read
SECURE HOOD
IN RAISED POSITION
BEFORE SERVICING ENGINE
18. Battery box Markings on the door should read
CHECK
BATTERIES
DAILY
19. Air Tank markings should read the following and be located as close to the Air Tanks as possible
DRAIN AIR TANKS DAILY.
20. If using a Yellow Bridge plate on this vehicle it would be displaying the number 08 (M35) 10 (M54)
21. If you have a DA Label 76 (A Good Driver), it would be located on the inside of the driver’s door, just below the glass, as far forward as practical (ie nearest the dash)
These markings are for Army versions only,
USAF and USMC versions were different.
Bridge Classification Weight Plate
Often seen on Vietnam era vehicles, to be correct for the Vietnam Era the disc needs to be yellow with black numbers rather than the post war green with black numbers.
The reason for the use of these plates is so anyone manning a temporary bridge can tell if the vehicle is suitable to cross the bridge without damaging it due to be it being overweight for the bridges capacity.
The disc has removable numbers so they can be changed depending on the total weight of the vehicle. The RED C denotes combined weight, ie if towing a trailer or howitzer the weight of that needs to be added to the weight of the tow vehicle and displayed along with the RED C being showed.
The yellow disc is usually fitted to the left hand side (as you look at the vehicle) front grill. the exception is the5 tom trucks these can have the plate fixed on to the left hand wing due to the space and angle.
RT will not be concerned if the letter C is or isn’t displayed as we will not expect you to continually alter the disk. So please pick a number that is within your vehicles weight capacity
M151, M38, M38 A1 MUST NOT have this plate fitted to the vehicle anywhere.
A painted yellow circle can be painted on the side of the vehicle / trailer showing the basic weight of the trailer, usually only on the M35 / M54 trucks or M101 / M105 trailers.
A M416 trailer does not have this yellow circle painted on the side
Good Driver Sticker
