M37CDN Questions

An Olive-Drab.com visitor writes:

How can I tell if a Dodge M37 is a Canadian Model or a U.S. model? I have heard that the Canadian models had a metal cab roof and came with a heater and a larger engine. But hard tops can be added and so can heaters. There is no outward difference in the engines. One has 230 cid and the other 245 cid. but they look the same.
Can anyone shed any light on this? Is there a sure way to tell by VIN or some other sure fire way ?
Thank you.

ANSWER:

The M37CDN were separately manufactured using components from Dodge in
Detroit, but assembled in Canada.  Most of the components were the
same except for the 250,6 cu in engine, transmission, and PTO which
were produced in Canada.

In addition to the M37CDN Cargo truck (with and without winch), three
other models were produced:

-  M56 cab and chassis
-  M43CDN ambulance
-  M152CDN panel truck

The M42CDN was made from an M37CDN with a kit, same as the US version.

As far as I know, there were no external differences between the US and CDN models, except for the panel truck which had a different window style. The dataplate would identity the truck as M37CDN and there was a different serial number sequence.  The serial number can be found on the dash dataplate, if still intact, or on the side of the
left frame rail, near the top, just forward of the front axle.  The CDN vehicles ran from 91,400,001 to 91, 404,524 for a total of 4524 vehicles.  The month and year of production can be determined from the s/n.

There is a small book titled “TM 9-1840C M37 – The Production Story” from the IPC Research Department (John Zentmyer), published in 1987. It has all of the above information and much more.  It is out of print but you may be able to pick one up from Adirondack Parts or other sources:

http://www.adirondackdodgeparts.com/prod2.htm

I also recommend you get involved with one of the M37 oriented forums, available via links on this page:

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_listserver.php3

Good luck with your project.  I hope this helps.
Chuck

Chuck Chriss
Editor
Olive-Drab.com LLC

 

WW II Staff Cars

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

• Were Dodge sedans used by any branch as staff cars during WWII?

Answer:

Dodge of course built many 4×4 light trucks during WWII, including the WC series Command Cars, but the civilian-type Staff Car is less clear.

When civilian vehicle production ended in early 1942, the U.S. military scooped up many miscellaneous vehicles from the civilian market. Some of these purchases were made by the QM Corps on a national, standardized basis, but others were strictly local.   In addition, car companies in Allied countries made vehicles that were used by the U.S. as well.

The September 1943 War Department manual TM 9-2800 (“Standard Military Motor Vehicles”) lists two 5-Passenger 4×2 sedan models:

• Light:  Manufactured by Chevrolet, Ford, Plymouth
• Heavy:  Manufactured by Buick, Packard

These were civilian cars — not built to full military specs — just stripped of chrome, painted OD and maybe a few other cosmetic changes.   Since the Dodge D12 is actually a Plymouth, some of the Plymouth staff cars may have been Dodge vehicles retrofitted for the Army contract.

Long way around to say that some Dodge sedans were certainly used as Staff Cars during WW II, but they were not in the standardized group.  There is relatively little info.    A few have survived and can occasionally be found at MV shows, for example:

http://www.sierramadrenews.net/4thofjuly/2k8/2k8parade1.htm  (See Pearl Harbor image)
http://www.mapleleafup.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1333

 

MV Conversion to Fire Truck

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

 i am looking to begin a fire contract business with wildland forest fires. i need a water truck, 6×6, basically with the most water i can carry with the ability to get into and out of mountain terrain with varying degrees of incline. as i am jsut starting out i dont have tons of cash to buy a new truck nor do i really want a new truck, not really my style. i have discovered the m-50, seen it out on the line as well as around the country and am wondering if this is the best truck for my needs?  is the m-50 the rigth truck for my expectations? is there another model i should be looking at? what should i expect with the m-50? does it need to be trailered from fire to fire or is driving what could be multi state distance a viable option?

Answer:

I suggest  you review this website and perhaps contact the people there:

• Roscommon Equipment Center

They are the experts in conversion of ex-mil trucks for fire protection usage.  The website has a huge library of pertinent material and ideas.

 

Japanese Surrender Video

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

hello i was just wondering i am looking for a video that shows the japanesse surrender on deck of the us warship i belive the uss missouri.  do you know of any videos that out there or where i can look for such a video that has the surrender that i can buy on dvd.

Answer:

Google Video has a copy of a 1945 newsreel with good footage of the surrender including parts of Gen.MacArthur’s speech.  You can find it at this link:

Japanese Surrender Video

 

ALICE Load Contents

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

 i just started collecting militaria and my large alice pack is looking flat and i was just wondering what all equipment had to go in it while in the field and what wet in an ALICE butt pack. thanks

Answer:

The ALICE pack, like other military pack systems, is designed to be
modular so the soldier has to carry only the minimum required for the
immediate mission.  There is no standard contents since missions vary
from time to time and place to place.

Basically, the load will consist of some rations and ammunition along
with possible spare clothing (socks in particular).  Other items
depend on the soldier’s MOS such as a radioman carrying spare
batteries.  Various items strap or hook onto ALICE such as canteens,
sleeping bag and pad, ground cloth/poncho, etc etc across the whole
range of individual equipment.

In addition to the ALICE section on Olive-Drab.com there is a nice write up about ALICE
on Wikipedia.

 

Where to buy a gas can spout?

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

I have a 43 dated jerry can, twist off lid type. I need a spout for it. Where can I find one that fits. This is for a 44 jeep.

Answer:

What you need is the type of spout shown on this page of Olive-Drab.com:

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_jerry_can_accessories.php

It will fit the WW II era metal cans with the full size mouth (not the
smaller-mouth  British style cans).  They used to be very easy to
find, but supply has dried up because of the plastic cans now in use
which have a different type of spout.

I don’t know who has them in stock right now.  Try contacting military
vehicle parts suppliers and some of the larger surplus dealers (like
Colemans).  Also watch eBay.  One will turn up if you contact enough
places.

 

Can I buy an M-109 Howitzer?

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

If one has enough money anything can be done. But for the average Joe who is not Bill Gates, or John Travolta, is it posible to purchase a used M-109 without the turret and gun in the US?

Answer:

If the howitzer is removed, then you are just talking about a tracked chassis.  That means there is no problem with de-militarization or similar issues.  Therefore, I would say its possible but probably a rare occurrence.

The M-109 is still in use with U.S. and foreign armies.  Therefore,
any serviceable chassis would probably be cannibalized to support
other units or sold to a foreign government for the same reasons.
Still, you never know.

As time goes on and the M-109 is replaced, the availability would
become more likely.

You can contact some of the larger dealers and keep track of ads in
the MV magazines listed on Olive-Drab.com so if one becomes available you will find out about it.

I am sorry I don’t have anything more definite, but I hope this helps.

NOTE: The email address with this question was rejected so the sender did not get a reply.

 

Halftrack Front Roller

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asked:

There is a spring loaded roller on the front bumper of some M-3 Halftracks. Can you tell me the function of these rollers?

Answer:

The front roller was a feature of many of the WW II vintage halftracks and scout cars, installed when the front bumper did not have a winch.  It was called an “anti-ditching roller” or similar name.

The function was to keep the front bumper from digging into the far bank of a ditch during cross-country operations.  The idea was that the roller would allow the vehicle to hit the ditch wall and roll up and over rather than get caught.  It worked but not well enough to become standard on other vehicles.  Later designs sought to keep the “angle of approach” and “angle of departure” large enough to minimize the potential for getting stuck.

 

Where to get marine equipment?

An Olive-Drab.com visitor asks:

looking for a barge or other marine construction equipment. if you may have any info please help.

Answer:

Marine vessels and equipment are sold by the U.S. Govt. the same way
as trucks or other items so you can follow the suggestions from this
section of Olive-Drab.com:

http://www.olive-drab.com/od_mvg_auctions.php3

Barges and equipment are sometimes available from marine dealers, for example:

Tassin’s Marine Transportation LLC

 

Where to buy AN/PRC-117F or AN/PRC-113

An Olive-Drab.com visitor writes:

Hello ,  Can you tell me where I might find a used AN-PRC-117F or a 113 ? I watch ebay but am looking for another source. Thanks.

Answer:

I can recommend these two suppliers who may be able to help:

Murphys Surplus Warehouse
Fair Radio Sales

There are more in the Supplier Database, searchable from the bottom of any page of Olive-Drab.com