Light Green Paint, Olive Drab Paint, etc

[Wayne Hingley]

When did the CF stop applying white paint to the rear differential cover for blackout driving purposes?

Was white paint on the differential covers in use during the years of the 3-color camouflage paint scheme on M38A1's?

My CDN2 has evidence of once having a white diff cover, but it was painted over at some point.

Also, does anyone know if it was a flat or gloss white that was used?

[David Dunlop]

Wayne.

My gut would tell me not to rely too much on the presence of a white rear diff on the vehicle for dating purposes. Too much possibility for a diff cover or complete rear axle assembly being swapped out on a vehicle. Better to check if the vehicle was ever equipped with the convoy lamp and switch set up.

For certain, the M-Series vehicles delivered/built up to 1953 for the Canadian Army were convoy lamp equipped. At some point subsequent to that, this system was phased out, but exactly when I do not know. My 1st M38CDN was a 1952 vehicle purchased from Crown Assets in 1976. It still had a white stripe painted on the centre of the rear diif, the convoy lamp mounted underneath the rear of the vehicle and the convoy lamp switch assembly on the dash. The convoy lamp wiring was still in place but had been cut and taped off under the dash.

It also had a working turn signal setup added to it. The big heavy grey pot metal switch assembly with the indicator lamps in the main body. The indicator lamp circuit had also been cut. I wondered why, until I restored it. First time I used it at night, the green indicator lamp lit up the entire interior of the jeep.

It would not surprise me if instructions were published in the Army at some point advising the convoy light system was to be terminated. Some one out there might know when.

As far as I know, the paint used to mark the diff was the same semi gloss white used for CFR Numbers etc on the vehicles.


David

[rob love]

I joined the regular army as a mechanic in 81. At that time any remaining convoy lights were removed to make test lights.

While they were on the 50s stuff, I have only seen one on a 67 Jeep. Without the lamp, there would be no reason to paint the diff white.

[Wayne Hingley]

Thanks David and Rob. I don't think any of the M38A1's beyond the 53's had the convoy lights (other than the random outlier as noted by Rob). I was just curious after seeing the white paint on my diff cover on the '67.