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Armor/AFV: Softskins
Softskins group discussions.
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U.S. Serial Numbers/ Vehicle ID - Q's
turtle65
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Dunedin, New Zealand
Joined: September 17, 2012
KitMaker: 266 posts
Armorama: 70 posts
Posted: Friday, December 02, 2016 - 10:34 AM UTC
all,
Just hoping someone could shed some light on vehicle Serial Numbers.

a. Is there a method/system available that will give details based on the SN. i.e. Model designation, Service Details .....

Just I've been given some photos of U.S. Army vehicles however they do not show in Fred Crismon's book U.S. Military Wheeled Vehicles as some appear to be variants of prototypes i.e.



This is neither a Kenworth model 552 nor the XM523.

Any assistance ID'ing via SN would be appreciated.
(I would load the photo of the entire vehicle however PB is being a PITA at the moment).

Ta.
turtle65
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Dunedin, New Zealand
Joined: September 17, 2012
KitMaker: 266 posts
Armorama: 70 posts
Posted: Friday, December 02, 2016 - 12:27 PM UTC
Seems I've been misled on some info , just had contact from AHTS that it is in fact a model 552, albeit with some options not on the original picking list - answered my own question .

However I'm still interested to know if it is possible to find info based on SN's. Thanks.
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
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Posted: Friday, December 02, 2016 - 08:05 PM UTC

Quoted Text

all,
Just hoping someone could shed some light on vehicle Serial Numbers.

a. Is there a method/system available that will give details based on the SN. i.e. Model designation, Service Details .....



The painted-on markings are Registration numbers in US parlance, the Serial numbers are stamped on the the data plates and other locations.

For WW II vehicles there are tabulations available but they are incomplete and sometimes have annoying, somewhat random, errors in them. Additionally, they need to be checked against what was produced vs. what was planned.

For the postwar alpha-numeric system there were no doubt lists created but I have seen very few. Those that I have will list the registration, serial, and designation along with some other administrative logistic codes. It's important to note that the designation is the one associated with a particular National Stock Number (NSN), so various experimental modifications and such are not captured.

There is no service or issuing information given, and no dates.

David Doyle is probably the best authority on US softskin production and their markings.

KL
BruceJ8365
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Kansas, United States
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
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Posted: Friday, December 02, 2016 - 11:23 PM UTC
The registration number is like the VIN on a car.

I have an M151 made by Ford. I was able to contact Ford to get details based on the registration (VIN) number. So I'd imagine with some heavy duty research you could contact the manufacturer and get details of the actual vehicle.

The MVPA might have some collections if databases where you might be able to find info based on the numbers too.
KurtLaughlin
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Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: January 18, 2003
KitMaker: 2,402 posts
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Posted: Saturday, December 03, 2016 - 01:35 AM UTC

Quoted Text

The registration number is like the VIN on a car.


No, the serial number is like the VIN on a car. While the Army may establish a one-to-one correspondence between the registration and serial numbers, the only number that the Government and the manufacturer both recognize is the serial.

KL
BruceJ8365
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Kansas, United States
Joined: December 25, 2012
KitMaker: 441 posts
Armorama: 441 posts
Posted: Saturday, December 03, 2016 - 05:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The registration number is like the VIN on a car.


No, the serial number is like the VIN on a car. While the Army may establish a one-to-one correspondence between the registration and serial numbers, the only number that the Government and the manufacturer both recognize is the serial.

KL


Sorry if I was being confusing. I meant that one can think of the registration number works like a VIN for military vehicles. In fact, if you privately purchase a military vehicle they use the registration number as the VIN.
WarrenD
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Connecticut, United States
Joined: September 23, 2010
KitMaker: 83 posts
Armorama: 80 posts
Posted: Sunday, December 04, 2016 - 11:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

The registration number is like the VIN on a car.


No, the serial number is like the VIN on a car. While the Army may establish a one-to-one correspondence between the registration and serial numbers, the only number that the Government and the manufacturer both recognize is the serial.

KL


Sorry if I was being confusing. I meant that one can think of the registration number works like a VIN for military vehicles. In fact, if you privately purchase a military vehicle they use the registration number as the VIN.


No, most DMVs use the SN for the registration. The registration number is assigned by the Gov't when they accept the vehicle. Some states do allow a private party to use the registration number in place of a license plate number. The SN is stamped into the frame where the registration number is painted on and can be easily changed. My private purchase M-37 required VIN verification before I could register it and I had to have some sandpaper with me to be sure the VIN could be read.
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