M38A1 CDN2 UN Jeep

[Jerry.Steber]

Hello all!

Finally starting to begin the restoration process of my 1967 M38A1 CDN2 Jeep, CFR 07770. The jeep will be restored as a UN jeep the Canadian forces used in Cyprus. I have a few questions concerning how the jeeps were repainted in white and UN decals applied. Were the jeeps originally OD green and then repainted white or were they factory painted white prior to being issued to the Canadian forces? Secondly, the engine in my jeep appears to have been painted a light grey. Was this also the original color from the Kaiser Jeep factory?

Will keep you posted on the tear down/rebuild process in future postings.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

[rob love]

They were painted white over the original olive drab or camo, depending on what time period you are talking about. The paint jobs were generally far from professional, and you will usuailly see the olive peeking out from flaked white paint.

While I have no doubt that the decals made it over to here, any decals I dealt with were in theater.

Originally the engines were olive drab with gloss black valve covers. The grey engines will be rebuilds, either from 202 workshop or else whomever had the contract at the time. Bennet and Hanson was a common name on the rebuild tags towards the end, I believe Eastern rebuild was an earlier one. Normally there will be a metal tag with the company name along with the oversize specs for the bore and crank, often located somewhere on the block near the oil pan. .

[Jerry.Steber]

Good evening Rob,

Thank you for your quick reply. It is truly appreciated. My jeep does in fact have a rebuild tag on the left side of the engine. The firm that rebuilt the engine is Eastern Rebuilders located in Quebec. Definitely explains the grey paint of the engine.

I will post photos of the restoration process so the membership can see the progress and offer any suggestions.

All the best!

[Ed Storey]

The M38A1CDN2 Jeeps in Cyprus were in OD with UN decals as per this example from 1971.

[rob love]

I think the CFRs started at 07700 so it would seem they sent a very early one there. But they did all go to white at some point. I was picking the bones of them when they were cut up in the late 80s.

[Ed Storey]

I have photographs of white UN CDN3s in Cyprus, but not CDN2s. From what I can determine, the Jeeps were not painted white until 1974.

[rob love]

In all honesty I only dealt with the residue of the Jeeps, and not the complete vehicles. Seems like they always freely mixed the CDN2 and CDN3 fleets. I would have thought the CDN3 Jeeps would have simply been replacements for the last of the 1953 CDN model, which were finally pulled from service in 1974.

I might have some info in the ELD for the Jeep fleet. Lots of good information in there.

[David Dunlop]

Ed.

Would that be a C42 Set ATU on the right front fender of that M38A1 in Cyprus?

If so, I think that is the first cover I have seen protecting that piece of wireless gear for the C42.

David

[Ed Storey]

It could be a custom-made piece for Cyprus.

[rob love]

The forward mounted mirror on the fender is a decade ahead of it's time...that mod didn't come in until the mid-80s. And the ATU plate does not have it's support bracket running to the grill. Perhaps that is because there is no grill hinges on the CDN2/CDN3 grills, but even so you would think they would simply drill a hole.

Then again, on a Jeep that nice, I wouldn't drill any holes either.

[r.morrison]

Hi Jerry: Here is a photo of a CDN 2 (green) and a CDN 3 (white) taken in Stanley Park Vancouver a number of years ago. It'll give you some idea of the colour configuration. Based on the photos I've also seen, after the fact, the white jeeps underside of the fenders, were also painted white. The close up shot of the green one gives you an idea of the the decal layout. The green colour was taken from inside the glove box, untouched by sunlight or tarnish.
The last photo is of "trinkets" found in the CDN 2 Jeep during its restoration. Top row are Greek Coins, centre one is a British Coin, third row needs no explanation.
PM me your home email address for some further info......Robert

[r.morrison]

Ooops....just couldn't squeeze them all in on the one reply. Robert

[Wayne Hingley]

Nice Robert. Is the white one yours too?

[r.morrison]

No.... just the green one Wayne. Gave some friends of mine and their kids a tour of Vancouver in that puppy and they said it was the best time they'd ever had on vacation. Had their own mini parade. Robert

[Frank v R]

does anyone have a CFR on the white CDN 3?

[r.morrison]

You know Frank....for as long as I have known and driven this Jeep (CDN 3), I never noticed that the CFR Numbers were missing. The Jeep belongs to a friend of mine and I'll get in touch with him for the info. Keen eye Sir......Robert

[Ed Storey]

The CFR numbers were not painted on the white UN Jeeps but in Cyprus could be found on the DND Licence plate.

[r.morrison]

Thanks for that info Ed. Robert

[Jerry.Steber]

Thank you all for all of the info you provided. Since starting the restoration on my M38A1 CDN2 I am educating myself about the Canadian forces which I find interesting. When I was stationed in Germany I frequented the Canadian Exchange in Lahr and Baden Baden. Nice products and great folks!

Thanks Again Guys!

CW4 Jerry Steber
US Army

[Wayne Hingley]

Did you decide which color scheme you will go with Jerry? Please post some photos of your progress... looking forward to seeing it.

[Jerry.Steber]

My decision for the restoration of my 1967 M38A1 CDN2 jeep will be white with the UN decals. Just starting to disassemble the jeep the last few days. Will post a few photos later. Can anyone in Canada assist with locating the Sterling submachinegun mount for the dash? It appears that my jeep had one installed but of course is missing now. Also, the bracket under the pintle hook is missing for attachment of trailer chains. Are these brackets still available in Canada? Have not seen any of this type in the US.

Thank you all for your assistance!

[spinnerhawken]

Hi Jerry,

Try Brian Asbury for the pintle bracket. I was missing mine and he set me up.

Best

Steve

[rob love]

I believe Brian also has the SMG mounts as well. If not, there are lots of guys here with them, myself included.

I'll be out to my favorite scrapyard ™ next Friday I hope. I'll get you that alternator bracket if you still need.

[Wayne Hingley]

Rob... so it's that good you even trademarked it!! Wish I could join you.

[chris vickery]

Frank vR had the smg brackets listed in the for sale section..

[Jerry.Steber]

Thanks for all the info guys! I will check with Brian Asbury for the SMG mount and pintle hook trailer chain bracket. I also noticed on my M38A1CDN2's right dash, two holes which appear to be used for a rifle bracket that would have held a rifle barrel at the dash but would assume there would be a mount for the stock on the passenger side floor. Is anyone familiar with this type of bracket? I don't know what the standard Canadian army rifle would have been in the mid 1960s so I may need some assistance with identification and procurement of such a bracket assembly also.

Dismantling continues. Will post some photos in a few days.

Thanks again to all my Canadian friends!

[rob love]

There was the upper spring clip and a rubber butt socket. They were used for the FN FAL rifle. The Canadian model was the C1A1.

Brian may well have the modification kit to install both the FN and the SMG into the Jeeps. They came with a neat blueprin on where ot install them. However, for security reasons, the SMG bracket was later moved down to the floor by the handbrake, and the 5 pound Ansul drychem fire extinguisher was moved up to the dash.

[Jerry.Steber]

Thank you for the info Rob. My whole purpose is to restore my M38A1CDN2 as accurately as possible as a tribute to your Canadian forces as peacekeepers . I will be checking with Brian Asbury to find out if he has the kits in addition to the pintle hook bracket. Just sent a PM to Wayne concerning his decal project. Will also need a set of Canadian specific decals for the restoration. I purchased the UN insignia decals from a firm in the UK. However, any recommendations on where to find the "UNITED NATIONS" decals applied to the left front fender and right rear body of the UN jeeps?

Thanks again for your assistance.

[r.morrison]

Hi Jerry: As per our phone call today, I've got you covered on the decals, as per the photos of my jeep. Like most members here.....I just have to find them!! We'll be talking.....Robert

[Frank v R]

the complete kit has both the SMG mount and the FN mounting