Jeep colours

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Jan Mostek
And one more point to discussion, what about the serial (or Census) numbers? Were these numbers painted on already in factory? Again, if it was painted in factory, it means it should have been repainted with sand color and could appear beneath, either because worn-out sand paint or because there was one more layer of paint where the number was applied.

Jan, the War Depertment numbers were applied upon receipt (serial numbers were not painted on the vehicle, they were stamped on chassis and data plates). So if a jeep was uncrated and assembled in the UK, it would have had a number applied there. If it was sent to North Africa after being assembled in the UK, it would be repainted upon receipt there, and the number would have to be reapplied over the new paint.
Many Lend-Lease vehicles were shipped direct to North Africa though, so the most likely scenario would be fresh ex-factory Olive Drab arrivals in North Africa, being repainted Light Stone and having their assigned WD number applied on top of that.

H.