SeaBee Truck Markings
Kenny~
I am researching the truck number nomenclature. I will get it figured out. So far I have talked to a CM1(ret) (Construction mechanic E-6) who had this to say:
Hello Keith,
I was a CM for 20 years and had some experience with NAVFAC and the numbering system. You are correct in that the first 2 digits denote what type of vehicle it is ... to a degree. If I remember right all 1/2 ton trucks whether they be chevy or ford or dodge, they started with a 94. I think buses were 92, deuce and halfs 95, 5 tons 96, trailers were 97 (I am really reaching into my dim past to retrieve these numbers. The other 5 numbers were a serial number I guess. I know the vehicles were numbered consecutively as they entered the system. I don't know if they used the same system back in the early 50's or not. I would be surprised to learn that they did. I hope this helps you!
Regards,
Paul Hewitt CM1(ret)
I am going to see if I can get in touch with an active duty Alpha company type and get the skinny on the numbers for sure. I will go to the Seabee museum in Gulfport, MS the next time I am down there. They have a tremendous collection of deployment cruse books. That should be a good source for period markings on 1940's, 1950's and 1960's vehicles.
