M35A1 unit markings

[knissen]

Hi all,
I have just purchased a Studebaker M35A1, my first US truck, I have previously restored Danish Army jeeps and trucks.

I have a question on US unit markings:
Could anyone help decode the following marking on my Deuce: Engine hood: 4E9408, rear bumper:
3COS
85MT
BN

Does anyone have a foto of 1962 original paintjob / marking ?

 

[knissen]

Read the article posted on the site, and figured out the hood number... anyone who can clearify the unit marking?

 

[nattieleather]

The hood number is basically your trucks serial number or registration number. The unit markings have me baffled. Since it ends with BN which usually means battalion I'm thinking your truck belonged to a HQ, but I have no clue what 3 COS is or what 85 MT is.

 

[knissen]

Okay, I now know that it belonged to 85th Maintenance Battalion in Germany, but still needs to deciffer 3COS ?

 

[acetomatoco]

Your truck would have been all semigloss olive drab. 24087 with large white markings...big white stars on doors and hood and 4 inch or larger bumper markings...and a black smoke belching horizontal exhaust with the 427 oil burner.... and the giant "turbo-supercharger" Their term, not mine..... lotsa noise, smoke and no power...but we got the job done. I was there in Germany 1964 thru 66 when the trucks were new... We also had some nice quiet M35s with the OA331 gas....

 

[maddawg308]

I am opting to say that 3COS is 3rd Combat Operations Squadron. It's possible this was an Air Force truck. But that's just my opinion.

 

[CARNAC]

This is was able to pull based on the registration number you have. As always, never ask how I got the info, I just got it.

The truck was last recorded as being with the 77th Maintenance Company (Combat Support) which was a non-divisional corps level units assigned to 5th Corps in Babenhausen, Germany. The unit inactivated on 15 Oct 2006.

Most likely the unit was a subordinate to the 85th Maintenance Battalion and got in-activated, the 85th took over the truck until it got coded out and sent to DRMO. On a truck this old (1962) the info is pretty sketchy but the last usage data on the truck is from 1993.

I also have to assume the registration number on the hood matches the following stock number and serial numbers. If the following data matches, then we probably have the right truck.

2320 005425634 M35A1 W/W M60212 4E9408 WB35AA 1962

Hope that helps.

 

[knissen]

Very impressed! Thanks a lot, now the truck suddenly has some history.

The aim is to restore it "as born", semigloss OD, and with white stars / marking.

Thanks again

 

[knissen]

Hi Medlog - no doubt its the right truck, chassis number M60212...thanks again

 

[DavidWymore]

I'd like to see this A1.

 

[simp5782]

I'd like to see this A1.

The OP has not been active since 2014. Only 10yrs digging up this old post.