Posted by Chris Davis - UT on Monday, April 24, 2006 at 6:56PM :
I’ve been working on my WC-51 bedsides/boxes. I had them sandblasted and while they came back really clean, the processes revealed all the pinhole rust spots. Some sections had to be cut out altogether and patch panels made… I’ve had some welding practice!
Anyway, the bedsides are coming along and soon I’ll have to finish paint them and here’s my dilemma… I originally planned to paint the truck desert sand (in fact the cab already is painted sand) because A) I like the color, and B) I’m running oversize 11.00 x 16 tires and thought I could argue the N. Africa circa ’43 “sand tire” angle with the WWII purist.
Since deciding on the sand color, I had the unique opportunity to talk to the trucks original owner, or original civilian owner, Sam. This guy and his three brothers served in Europe in WWII and bought the WC51 surplus for their farm after they got home. Sam, the youngest got to Germany a little late for the actual shooting and served in the Army of Occupation. His three older bothers were all part of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, the all Japanese American force who volunteered from internment camps here in the US.
I was really impressed with he and his brother’s sacrifice and thanked him, but now I’m thinking it would be nice to mark the WC-51 as a 442nd vehicle as a small memorial. Problem is the 442nd wasn’t ever stationed in Africa and I’d need to change to the standard Olive Drab to be accurate. Plus there’s the little problem of me not being a Japanese American driving it… but I think most folks won’t make that connection.
Anyway… I’d have to repaint what I’ve done already, I’d have some unused sand paint sitting in the garage, I’d loose my “sand tire” angle, and my WC-51 would be Olive Drab like every other WC out there, but it seems that the chance to give a little honor back to these guys should outweigh those concerns.
Soliciting feedback…
Thanks,
Chris Davis
Centerville, UT
’45 WC-51
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