PAINT WHITE MAT 0.5KGS

White matt paint RAL 9016

Traffic White – 0.5 kg

★ Authentic Traffic White colour for historically correct restoration of WWII military vehicle markings. Matt finish as prescribed for US Army vehicles 1942–1945.

Application

From 1943 onwards, registration numbers, stars and unit markings on US Army vehicles were applied in white matt paint (lusterless white), replacing the earlier blue-drab colour which was difficult to see in the field. Bonnet numbers on jeeps (prefix "20" + 5 or 6 digits), invasion stars with circle (1944 Normandy), bumper unit IDs, and various other tactical markings were applied with stencils or hand-painted in white. This paint is suitable for all WWII military vehicles where white markings are historically correct.

Installation notes

Application preferably with stencil for neat, historically correct markings. Surface must be clean, dry and grease-free (Olive Drab base paint). For bonnet numbers: standard letter height 3 inches (approx. 76 mm), for bumper markings usually 2–3 inches depending on available space. Allow to dry completely before vehicle is put into service.

Compatibility

Applicable to all WWII military vehicles with Olive Drab (OD) paint layer. Specifically suitable for Willys MB, Ford GPW, Dodge WC series, GMC CCKW, and related vehicles. Please note: from mid-1943 white markings became standard; earlier vehicles (1941–early 1943) had blue-drab markings. For early restorations (pre-1943) blue-drab is the correct colour, not white.

Historical context

In August 1942, Army Regulation AR 850-5 specified for the first time white five-pointed stars as national symbol on US Army vehicles, but registration numbers and unit markings were initially applied in blue-drab. From mid-1943 onwards, all markings were painted white because blue-drab was too difficult to see for motorpool sergeants in the field. White invasion stars with circle were introduced for the invasion of Normandy (June 1944) for recognition by Allied air forces.