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classic WLA

Posted on 22 May 2012 by Geray Zone

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US Army Registration and MarkingsAll US Army vehicles of WW2 were marked according to Army Regulations (AR) 850-5 to allow the vehicle and unit to be properly identified by Military personnel. The National Symbol of the US Army (5-pointed star) was painted in white on the sides of the vehicles with the US Army registration number and unit identification, stencilled on specific locations, either in Blue-Drab or White paint. On some vehicles the registration number was carried on a license type plate.Looking at period photographs, one notices a rather large variation in markings depending on the unit, theater of operations and even personal taste of the rider.... US Army Registration Plates A complicated subject for WLA-owners... the vehicle had been added to the type group. So, a WLA motorcycle had a USA Number in the following style: U.S.A. W-6xxxxx (cf: TM10-1510 The Motor Vehicle, October 1st, 1940, Page 46); the letter 'W' indicating a War Department Vehicle. Quote from US Army SNL G-523 Ordnance Supply Catalog, dated September 15th, 1944, page 2: "The U.S.A. Registration Numbers have appeared on the rear number plates of 1940, 1941, and some 1942 models. On other 1942 models these U.S.A. RFor the purpose of registration, all US Army Motorcycles were grouped under 'Class 6' vehicles. This means that the US Army Registration Numbers (USA Number) for all motorcycles began with a '6' followed by a numerical sequence in whic
hegistration Numbers are stencilled on the lower portion of the rear mudguard." This means 42WLAs had the US Army registration number attached below the rear lights on a 8"x3 3/4" US Army license plate for at least a large part of the production. The debate about the background color of the plate is ongoing; some insist the plate was red while others say the plate was olive drab. In order to get a clear view on the subject, one needs to look at the different editions of the Army Regulations describing the Marking of Clothing, Equipment, Vehicles and Property (AR850-5). The war years 1941 to 1945 saw three different editions of these regulations (1936-1942-1945). The height of the letters and figures will be two inches on trailers, and on U.S. registration plates, and four inches on all other types of motor vehicles." Changes No. 2 to the above regulations was issued on April 22, 1942, rWhen the war started the basic regulation describing the marking with US Army Registration Numbers of Vehicles was the September 25, 1936 edition of AR 850-5. The number plates displaying the USA Number were described as follows: "Section III, § 6 d. Marking. (1)U.S. registration symbols and numbers. (a) When marked. -- Motor vehicles will be marked with the U.S. registration symbols and numbers prescribed in AR 850-10. (b) How marked. -- The marking will be conspicously done on the vehicle with white paint by means of a stencil and on U.S. registration plates by a metal stamping device and white painted figures as indicated in (c) below. (c) Height of letters.-
-oughly 5 months before the publishing of the August 1942 edition of the same regulations: "Section III, § 6 d. Marking. (1)U.S. registration symbols and numbers. (a) When marked. -- Motor vehicles will be marked with the U.S. registration symbols and numbers prescribed in AR 850-10. (b) How marked. -- The marking on the vehicle will be with blue-drab lusterless enamel by means of a stencil, and on U.S. registration plates by a metal stamping device and blue painted figures as indicated in (c) below. (c) Height of letters.-- The height of the letters and figures will be two inches on trailers, and on U.S. registration plates, and four inches on all other types of motor vehicles."
The above Change 2 appears to have been carried forward as far as character and style of marking in AR 850-5, August 5, 1942 shown below. However, in the August 1942 edition, the height was standardised to 2 inches on all vehicles.
Also in the new edition, the moment of applying the marking was described; the original numbers were now to be applied by manufacturers.
classic WLA


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