Unit ID help

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bk-sinko
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Unit ID help

Post by bk-sinko » Tue Feb 10, 2015 6:52 pm

Hi,

I have a USMC M274A2. It is unrestored but in original condition. I have owned it for about 25 years and have always wondered what the unit marking on the gas tank represented. It is a blue circle with the number 520 in it. The circle is not filled in but is just the outline of the circle and is about 6-8 inches in diameter.. It would be fun to know the origin of it. My dad and I bought it from the widow of a mv collector out in the pan handle of Oklahoma. I don't know where it came from before that but it only had around 390 hours on it. I haven't put many hours on it over the years. I was just messing with it in the garage the other day a wondered if anyone could help with the origin?

Thanks
Mike

1966 M274A2

Caution Argon
Be back later


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Babadave
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Re: Now tht's interesting......

Post by Babadave » Fri Feb 13, 2015 6:58 pm

I just restored an A2 Mule from Nevada 2 years ago, with a similar Unit marking.

[img]A2%20620%20compr%20BEFORE.jpg[/img]

I took the original to mean "620" , and had some stencils made to match.....

[img]A2%20620%20compr%20after.JPG[/img]

As to your original question. I never did research the origin of the "620". I simply carried the correct markings forward when this unit was restored. It's a nice little detail worth preserving if you ever need to go for a full re-paint.

Sorry I couldn't help more.
Attachments
A2 620 compr after.JPG
Finished tank, but, forgot to clean out the cap vent hole on a hot day after 1st fill-up.... Dang-it !!!
A2 620 compr after.JPG (33.94 KiB) Viewed 597 times
A2 620 compr BEFORE.jpg
Original Tank, after a very light wet-sanding. Dampened with a sponge after.
A2 620 compr BEFORE.jpg (117.13 KiB) Viewed 598 times
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bk-sinko
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Re: Unit ID help

Post by bk-sinko » Sat Feb 14, 2015 3:40 am

That's exactly what my unit marking looks like but has a 520 in the circle. Do you happen to know what the serial number on it was? Wonder if mine and yours were both together at some point.
Mike

1966 M274A2

Caution Argon
Be back later

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major519
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Re: Unit ID help

Post by major519 » Sat Feb 14, 2015 12:46 pm

USMC markings are enigmatical at best.
It would be really nice to find a cypher sheet that clearly explains the meaning.
I have searched online and picked up bits and pieces of info.
Does anyone produce or have access to something like this?
I know the use of various geometric shapes denotes divisions it battalions. It is the numbering that
Is difficult to figure out. Unlike the Army, USMC puts very little into marking equipment
1968 M274A5 USMC 325489
1966 M274A2 USMC 333007
1958 M274 US ARMY 2B3379
1970 M38A1 CDN3 70-08715
1981 M101CDN Manac 3/4 trailer
1984 M1009 CUCV
1943 Converto Airborne Trailer

m37-man
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Re: Unit ID help

Post by m37-man » Sat Feb 14, 2015 9:37 pm

Those are USMC tactical markings, see previous post and website below that provides a detailed explanation.

Re: Barn Find A2 with USMC Markings

Postby m37-man » Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:39 pm

Apparently the blue markings are tactical markings, and not individual vehicle markings according to this source:

http://www.2ndbn5thmar.com/sop/MarkingSOPMcBreen.pdf

Decoding the "730" in the large "V" translates to:

Headquarters, 3rd weapons platoon, weapons company of the 2nd battalion. The large V most closely resembles the geometric marking for the 7th Marine Regiment, but could be a Roman numeral 5 for 5th Regiment.
M37-Man, discriminating collector of all terrain vehicles:
'43 Ford GPW
'45 Willys MB
'73 Jeep Commando
'78 & '85 Jeep CJ7s
'83 Jeep Scrambler
Herd of '66 BMY M274A2 Mules


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