The Military Model-A

[old-duff]

Hi Guys, I'm a newbie [one post] but I have been lurking for over two years, want to thank the members for all the great information that I've picked up reading the forum, when I started my project I had just a chassis, I looked for a body, found a '29 ccpu cab, so I decided to build a truck, while reading the forum I read where there were no Ford Model-A's in the military, so I thought I would try to dress a Model-A in military garb....Had a blast, great fun, a little challenging, but i loved every minute of it, Here are a few pictures of my Military Model-A.

 

[TerryH]

Looks like what could have been. Nice job, with lots of authentic looking details. I bet you get lots of looks!!
Terry

 

[BashawT]

Very cool! Nice job

 

[bikejunk]

really nice I like the tire choice

 

[SDJason]

Nice - thank you for sharing!

 

[mleder]

Nice work. I will take exception about no Model A's in the military. My father bought a 1930 AA from Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, MN. With his purchase the motor pool gave him all the spare parts in the inventory for that truck for his purchase. He purchased it in the late 1940's and said it was the longest AA he had ever seen. He used it to haul scrap paper and steel cans from a landfill operation he was running. He also said when he got it the condition was like new.

 

[Brian SATX]

Here is a phaeton in military use. I have also seen some that were artillary and staff vehicles. Semper Fi

 

[Bruce in southern OH]

Best I have seen thanks for the photos,

 

[Brad in Germany]

Hooah old-duff,

Au contraire....the US Military did have Model A's of various types. Here, for example, are two Army Ford Model A Phaetons (note the "For Official Use Only" on the door):

...or how about this Army Ford Model A Sedan:

The Navy and Marine Corps also had Model AA trucks in various configurations.

The Ford Model A's in the US Military were only used as staff cars however.....AA's could be used in both a garrison and field environment.

Has anyone ever seen a military service manual for these vehicles? Was there such a manual? How about a regulation specifying the paint scheme and lettering for these vehicles?

Fordially,
Brad in the US Army in Maryland

 

[Joe K]

Now make yourself some "black-out" headlight lenses.

Heh. I remember in my parents cottage finding "Instructions for when there is a black- out."

"Mom - what's a black-out?"

"It's when you feel like you're going to faint - you know - when you pass out."

"No Mom. This has nothing to do with falling down. They're talking about a siren!"

Maybe get yourself some Pre-WWII bumper stickers. Up up and away with the NRA (national recovery act.)

Heh. Speakiing of NRA - DON'T drive this vehicle through Massachusetts with the weapon on board. You'll never make it home.

Joe K
Cow Hampshire and proud of it.

 

[RichardW]

What size wheels? What size are the tires? How did you get them into the fender well?

 

[Brad in Germany]

Joe,

Your blackout light covers sure look great.....but blackout lights on Model A vehicles were simply the regular headlight lenses, painted over in black with just the slit left unpainted:

But then again, any solution would work in a war time situation......just a matter of the cost and what resources and materials where available.

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland

 

[Joe K]

Joe,

Your blackout light covers sure look great.....but blackout lights on Model A vehicles were simply the regular headlight lenses, painted over in black with just the slit left unpainted:

But then again, any solution would work in a war time situation......just a matter of the cost.

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland

Thank you. I confess I was looking for more like what you have shown - but when you google "black-out lenses" you get a bunch of pix of teen-aged girls with totally black eyes - no iris.

Must be a "style" and the latest fad in contact lenses.

Joe K

 

[henry's 31]

An amazing project. As a retired military officer I love what you did with "what could have been" Also thank you for others that shared the other photos of "Military Model A's.

Henry's 31

 

[Al 29Tudor]

Outstanding!
Welcome to the Barn

 

[SeaSlugs]

i love it!

AA's or GAZ-AA's (also GAZ-AAA's dual rear axle) were used over in Russia by the boat load during WW2

Id post a picture of my "modern" 19 year old truck in kahki painted like a gulf war but its not a ford - dreaded C word lol (and no not THAT c word )

 

[QGolden]

Wow, you clearly put a lot of work into that project. Nice job.

 

[chiliman]

Seams as if the restorer had a article a few years back about the station wagons in the military painted green of corse

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Remember the DARK GREEN, "blackout" shades for your house windows??????? With our old COAL-OIL lamps, "they" probably couldn't have seen us anyhow!--Bill W.

 

[ctlikon0712]

That does look nice, I really like looking at your pictures. Especially the 03 Springfield! Vince Faulter's site has some very nice pics of Military A's and AA's used for the 17th Field Artillery.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/fordbattery17fa.htm