Bridge plate cover?

[cranetruck]

Was there ever a cover (canvas?) for the yellow bridge plate to be used when parked? The yellow draws a lot of attention for a camouflaged vehicle...

 

[BKubu]

Bjorn: That is a good question...I'm not sure. I will add that they had nylon camo covers for the west coast mirrors. Sadly, I sold them WITH my old 1987 M49A2C. I should never have included them, but I stupidly left them in the tool box and the guy saw them.

 

[cranetruck]

Reflections in mirrors/windshields can be seen for miles....

 

[BKubu]

I have never seen the mirror covers before getting them with my fuel truck, and have not seen them since. I had no idea they even had such a thing...but, as you say, it makes sense.

 

[doghead]

The yellow draws a lot of attention for a camouflaged vehicle...

If your trying to be inconspicuos, I think your messing with the wrong vehicle!!!
But seriously, I like the forest green bridge plate on my truck (1970 three color camo) very subtle.

 

[cranetruck]

Yeah Doggyman, I was waiting for that one.
Yellow was used for years, mud makes sense and should have led to a standard issue item...

 

[Jones]

Bjorn,
What I remember was a thin gauge sheet-metal disc with a lip running towards the back about 1 1/4" and a couple of wire legs that went down behind the bridge plate to keep it in place. Imagine a coffee can cut down 'til the sides are only 1 1/4" tall then the sides are further cut back so that it only runs from 9:00 to 3:00.
Field-expedient was just to smear mud over it 'cause the covers didn't always stay in place when travelling over rough terrain-- which was most of the Vietnamese highway system.

 

[cranetruck]

Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

Bjorn,
What I remember was a thin gauge sheet-metal disc with a lip running towards the back about 1 1/4" and a couple of wire legs that went down behind the bridge plate to keep it in place. Imagine a coffee can cut down 'til the sides are only 1 1/4" tall then the sides are further cut back so that it only runs from 9:00 to 3:00...

I want one and if they actually existed, I could make one, I suppose. Never seen a TM ref.

 

[73m819]

the standard issue item might have been a MUD kit, which consisted of a can of clay dirt and a can of water, in a cardboard box with 3 pages of instructions and cost the US military about $659 a peice

 

[doghead]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

Just a thought, has anyone tried a light over-spray of flat black or brown to mimic mud) over the face of the plate (kinda like a "motor pool field modification")

 

[cranetruck]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

Maybe a brown shower cap...

 

[Jones]

Bjorn,
I only saw them installed... or laying on the ground after they fell off; never "new-in-the-box". If they were a motorpool-made item they were all sure identical. So maybe the idea came out in a PS Magazine Suggestion Box type article?

 

[jasonjc]

In my time in the army I never saw any covers for any of the shine stuff. But in NTC I did see some trucks with sand bags over the headlights. As for the glass (windsheilds and window) they made us take those out.

 

[maddawg308]

Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

the standard issue item might have been a MUD kit, which consisted of a can of clay dirt and a can of water, in a cardboard box with 3 pages of instructions and cost the US military about $659 a peice

HA HA HA HA !!!!

I believe that also came in the standard BII kit for the Lubrication Kit, Grease, Elbow upgrade for most MVs. Elbow Grease only came issued in 5-gallon pails, along with a hank of 50-foot of flight line.

Side note - man, Bjorn your truck is looking SWEET! Hope to see that truck in the ECC this year!

 

[cranetruck]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

"That's the second stupidest looking MV I have seen. The first was that deuce in CA with the Blazer axles."

Thanks Mike...Ahum..do you remember the above statement, same basic truck?

Just kidding.

 

[KaiserM109]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

In '68 when we repainted our trucks and took off the white stars, the bridge plates got painted black lettering over green.

 

[Mike_Pop]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

My Unimog had a flourescent orange safety placard that had a rubberized camo cover. It had a drawstring around it so you could wrap the placard and tie the cover tight around it.

 

[OPCOM]

RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

Min'e sOD with black letters.

Bjorn, that truck is looking really good!! i don't recall, have you had it out on the road at all yet?

 

[cranetruck]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

Min'e sOD with black letters.

Bjorn, that truck is looking really good!! i don't recall, have you had it out on the road at all yet?

Only turned it around and drove it up and down the driveway, Patrick. I take baby steps and enjoy every one, working on the lights now and run the engine every so often to gain confidence.
It is seeing it from the front so often now that made me ask about a cover for the yellow bridge plate.
If it was easier to install, it could simply be turned over and have the back side match the color of the vehicle, but the radiator brush guard has to come off for that.
Mike, I remember that big orange plate on your Unimog....

 

[maddawg308]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Bridge plate cover?

"That's the second stupidest looking MV I have seen. The first was that deuce in CA with the Blazer axles."

Thanks Mike...Ahum..do you remember the above statement, same basic truck?

Just kidding.

You caught me - but that comment was being made about a 8x8 that was painted black, had chrome everywhere, and was turned into a party boat if I remember correctly. I really like yours restored to original. Looks bad a$$!