Greetings all,

Does anyone know if there was a specific sequence of numbers for US wheeled vehicles?

I'm interested in vehicle numbers for the Dodge Ambulance NWE - did they all carry sets of 5 numbers starting with the number 7 or would any sequence of 5 numbers do???

The numbers were on the engine hood under USA.

Cheers

Al

I'm just about positive the answer is yes. I remember seeing something on this subject some time back indicating that there was indeed a pattern to assigning the USA number to various types. I also seem to recall that there were intentional breaks or gaps in the sequence to prevent the enemy from making any determination of production quantities by gathering and analyzing numbers.

The bad news is that I can't get my hands on any reference material which has the exact info. But it's out there somewhere.

Tom

hey,
yes, ambulances would have started with the number 7,
U.S.A. would have been above the numbers ,and very early stages of the war ,the lettering/numbers could have been in a pale blue,they came from the factory that way,but most where quickly re-painted white,but thier where some still seen in the combat area with thier orignal pale blue.
Joe

Hi Tom and Joe,

Thanks for that guys, that will do nicely for now. Always wondered about the blue lettering I had seen, and that explains it so thanks for that Joe.

If anyone has a link re the sequence of numbers used on US vehicles in the various theaters of war that would be a useful reference source.

Thanks again guys, that allows me to get on.

Cheers

Al

hey,
the numbering was standard threw out the war,in all theaters,ive got a decent referance book at home that shows all of the vehicles markings and numbering system.jeeps started with a 2,tanks started with a 3,armoured cars 4? the book covers marking and colors around D-Day,i believe its a squadron book,if it's something you think might be useful,when i get home i'll get you the info on the book,full title,ISBN.thiers goog pics and refer. on U.S.,British,German,vehicle markings,base paint colors,camo colors and patterns.

Joe




http://www.olive-drab.com/

Hi Joe,

Thanks for that, that would be useful.

Cheers

Al

In fact all American tank numbers start with 30. The list I have goes:

0 - Trailers, semi-trailers all sizes except kitchen trailers
00 - Trucks, maintenance (includes wreckers)
1 - Cars, 2 to 7 pasenger
10 - Kitchen trailers, motor drawn
2 - Trucks, light (up to 1 ton)
20 - Trucks, reconnaissance and buses, all sizes
3 - Trucks, medium 1.5 ton
30 - Tanks, all sizes and some tank based vehicles
4 - Trucks, heavy 2.5 ton to 5 ton
40 - Full track and half track other than tanks
5 - Heavy trucks and prime movers over 5 ton
50 - fire fighting trucks
6 - Motorcycles, solo, sidecar or tricycle
60 - Special and technical (radio,air compressor etc) and armoured cars
7 - Ambulances, all types
70 - Amphibians
8 - Tractors, wheeled
80 - Tanker/ refueller trucks
9 - Tractors, full or half tracked

Morning Geoff.

Thanks for that.

Cheers

Al