Jim Gilmore

NWER, Thank you for the information. I have this Weasel on my list as being owned by Niels Werring in Norway. Is that you? This M-29 is one of only a few on my list that has M-29 stamped on the hull plate. This vehicle was assembled under contract T-9937. The USA number on the side in not correct. The original USA number for this vehicle was 4015180? ( ?= unknown number) This is as close as I can get to the original number using my data base as there are not too many Weasels near your ORD number on it.

John, Great stuff! This is a good find....USA number and later USN numbers are not often found. This was an early Letterkenny Ord Depot rebuild. Jim Gilmore

Patrick, Make life easier.....get or make a rotisserie for the hull. Here's one I had years ago. It was originally for rebuilding radial aircraft motors and we added the bars to mount the Weasel hull. I think I may still have blueprints for one that the British Military fabricated for these motors that would be easy to build. Got it out of the National Archives (US). Oh.......and remember to drain the differential before turning.......note oil on floor! Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

In the motor - Use 30 wt, 10w/30 if you are using it in low temperatures or any other good motor oil. In the transmission - use gear oil, 08/90 or such and NOT motor oil. Motor oil will work but will lead to bearing wear after long use. What ever you do ..DO NOT use 10wt oil that some of the data plates list. This was for extremely low Arctic temperatures and was found to wear out bearings and gears in a VERY short time. In the differential - ONLY use motor oil and NOT gear oil !! 30wt Non-Detergent oil is preferred to eliminate foaming which will lead to slippage. Here is a photo of what happens when you use 10wt oil in the transmission. ( National Archives Photo) Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Parke, Thanks for listing the data....I see you are just "around the corner" from me here in Jim Thorpe, PA. I have this Weasel on my list as belonging to Ken Lent. I will change it to your name. Using the data I have .....your ORD/MGF number would be between 1032? to 1034? ( ?= unknown number) This vehicle was built under contract T-17432 The USA # would have been around 401938?? See my posting on finding USA numbers and try to see if you can find the original USA number. Let me know if you do. BTW...there are two other M-29C's with hull numbers very close to you here in PA. One in Allentown ( M-29C-5867 ) and another in Pittston ( M-29C-5872 ). Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Well.....in case you don't have the TM...here's the photo. Jim

Just look in your TM 9-1772 Weasel manual on page 127 and there is a photo of the cell. In addition , pages 126 to 140 cover the fuel cell and how to inspect and repair it. If you guys don't have that TM.....you REALLY need to have it as it covers the repair/rebuilding of the major components of the vehicle !! Of course you can get an excellent printed copy of it from that Portrayal Press outfit............... Jim Gilmore

JDikeman, Is #708 the ORD/MFG number for your T-15 ? Tom and M29.....would you guys be so kind as to give me your ORD/MFG and USA numbers for your T-15's ? I would like to add them to my lists as I only have 5 T-15's on it right now. I will then look in my list of photos and documents and see if I have anything on them. I have over 280 T-15 vehicles in the data/photo list and most are keyed to the ORD/MFG numbers. You can post it here or contact me directly at jgilmore@ptd.net Jim Gilmore

What you are looking at on 9.33 minutes in on the film is Studebaker Test Weasel # 13. This was the first T-24 prototype. It had six bogie wheels per side and the right side top of the hull had a flat area to hold skis like the T-15. The six bogie wheels caused "nosing" of the vehicle at speed so an additional set of wheels were added when the vehicle was rebuilt. The flat area on the top of the hull was also deleted. Jim Gilmore

John, There is a modification publication that shows how to use the MB/GPW cluster gear in the Weasel T-84. I'll dig it out of my files......but I think you used two of the jeep trans spacers to use that cluster. I'll post it when I find what box it's in...... And......don't forget to use that 90 degree pipe elbow on the filler neck to raise the fluid level in the trans.........very important to use it. Jim Gilmore

Just another caution here........ DO NOT run the fuel pump without it being submersed in gasoline! Gasoline lubricates the pump and running it dry will damage the pump internals. It is OK to do a very quick test to see if it works when dry but never run it more than a few seconds. Also...this pump is basically the same as the pump in the M-18 Tank Destroyer and the M-135 & M-211 GMC 2-1/2 ton 6x6 trucks. Those pumps are 24 volt but the internals are the same. Rebuilding of the electric pumps is covered in a carburetor and fuel pump rebuilding TM available from Portrayal Press. I don't remember which TM number it is but Patrick should be able to tell us. Jim Gilmore

Dan, Is the ORD/MFG serial number readable on the main data plate? Did it have a hull number plate? Jim

Dan, ORD & MFG numbers are always the same. Your Hull number plate number would have been around 360? to around 362? ( ? = unknown number) Jessie, Thanks for the info...I have added that M-29C to my list as "scrapped" That was a very early M-29C. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Dan, These tanks are actually called "bullet sealing rubber cells". As the name suggests...they were designed to seal bullet holes in the tank. They have a "almost" liquid rubber center between the outer and inner rubber which will seal the bullet hole. This change to the rubber cells came about at the same time as the in tank electric fuel pumps. This was a later Studebaker production change and not Norwegian . IMPORTANT NOTE : NEVER, EVER, EVER....USE GASOLINE CONTAINING ALCOHOL IN THESE TANKS !!! The alcohol in gasoline will eat away at the rubber and soften it. Small pieces will separate and clog your fuel system. The inside of the rubber cell will eventually turn to a gooey mess. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Was that a UST-24 or M-29C- plate?

If you are getting the tanks ...take the data plate too.....then let me know and I'll show you how to find the numbers from a badly rusted Weasel data plate using acid... It looks like the USA number is 40197871 ??? Jim Gilmore

Now..... For Early Weasels ...here is where the numbers were located when delivered. T-15..........Numbers were painted in dark gray or black on the rear bulkhead of the cargo compartment. Some vehicles had the USA number painted on the outside later in the war but not many. T-24.......Numbers were painted on the front bulkhead behind the drivers seat and were painted Dark Gray. T-15 and T-24 vehicles were painted Lusterless White with black camo paint so the USA numbers had to be painted inside the vehicle. Early M-29's were also painted white. Later when they were repainted OD most times the numbers were applied to the outside. As an aside........many, if not most, T-15 and T24 vehicles that were painted white had the ORD/MFG number painted on the front of the unit in black paint. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Finding Your USA Registration Numbers..... For M-29 and M-29C vehicles: If you want to locate the original Blue Drab numbers that your vehicle was delivered with ........measure 34 to 36 inches from the center line of the bolts on the front side of the vehicle towards the rear. About 4 to 6 inches up from the top of the flairs on the sides........ This is where the USA number will be. It will start with 401....... The original numbers will be in Blue Drab paint. Later repaints may have white numbers painted over the original Blue Drab ones. If the numbers cannot be found then the hull was stripped or sand blasted when it was rebuilt. It is important when sanding for original numbers that you follow a set pattern..... First...start with #300 grit wet/dry sand paper. Use water. Start sanding at the dimension I gave. SLOWLY....sand 4" area and sand off the paint layer by layer.....first one layer until it is all gone....then the next and so on....until you see green....now STOP.... Repeat the process on the next 4" area.......and on for about three feet. Now STOP.....get some #600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and , using water, s-l-o-w-l-y sand the first area until you start to see blue drab. If you sand through the blue drab in this area it is not a problem as the numbers will start with 401 or 402...it is the last five numbers that we want to find. Again, slowly, take your time, have a brew......and sand until you see the rest of the numbers. As the outlines slowly come out sand around, not over, the numbers. After this is done slowly sand over the numbers until you can see them...then get a camera and take several photos. Many times the camera will "see" the numbers clearer than your eye can. It is very important not to rush this....once the numbers have been sanded through they are gone forever! I have used this procedure on many vehicles and almost always have been able to find the original numbers. Good luck and please post or send me the numbers when you find them. Jim Gilmore jgilmore@ptd.net Jim Thorpe, PA.

Here's an example of what my data can show......... DIYJ posted.......... "....This is the only tag on my Weasel..." You are in luck.......I have data on this Hull number in my files! This vehicle is a M-29 even though the Hull plate says UST-24..........(Studebaker considered all Weasels as T-24 in internal documents) The original USA Registration number was 40149100. It was assembled under contract # 271-ORD-4727, Treasury Order # T-9473 This vehicle was sold at Government Auction as item # 74 and bought by Consolidated industries . The ORD/MFG number was not recorded in the sales documents but it would have been ( according to my data base) ORD/MFG 180? .... ? = a number from 2 to 9. DIYJ....Could you contact me and give me your name and where you are ( Country/state/city ) so I can add this vehicle to my list? Jim Gilmore jgilmore@ptd.net Jim Thorpe, PA. 18229

Your numbers wanted…… I have been keeping a database of existing Weasels for many years now. I have about 370 or so on it. I would like to add as many more as I can to help with my research on the Weasel. I also have a database of Weasel photos, testing reports and data listings from the National Archives that have either the USA # or serial/hull numbers listed. In addition to this I have a database listing from surplus sales of Weasels to the public that often lists the original USA numbers of the vehicles. These databases include the T-15 (M-28), T-24, M-29 and M-29C. On the photo/document database I have over 450 weasels listed If you would post or send me your numbers I will check to see if I have any photos or data on your vehicle. I have found several Weasels from these listings and was able to give the owners these numbers. I am also interested in any Weasel numbers from scrapped vehicles as well. What I need is: ORD number........ Serial number..... (both numbers are stamped on the main data plate just behind the driver and should be the same) Hull number...... (from data plate mounted on the inside bulkhead in the cargo compartment) Motor number......( if possible) USA number (if known to be correct) Any special notations about the vehicle. It is very important to give the entire number sequence .. ie. UST-24-xxx or M29C-xxx as many of the surplus documents are keyed to this (the hull) number. If you do not have all the data plates on your Weasel, just send me what you have. I may be able to give you the missing numbers. Many times I can give the original registration numbers for the vehicle. If I have any photos or data listed for your vehicle I will send you the info on it. Unlike some others…I do not charge for giving information on your Weasel if I have it. You can post the numbers here or E mail me at jgilmore@ptd.net. If you want to keep your numbers confidential please note I do not publish anyone’s numbers without permission. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Guido, Unfortunately there were no other numbers stamped into the hull on Weasels. If you can give me the Motor number of your vehicle I may be able to get you close to a ORD/MFG number. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Just as a FYI........ Original Weasel data plates were made of steel with a clear coating over that. Brass data plates like the one that John posted a photo of are post war and made for the Weasel rebuild program ( as John noted). If the Weasel production had gone on longer in 1945 ...cardboard data plates were to be used !!....like the VERY LATE DUKW's had. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Jesse, You list #11731 and ORD # 5970....is this correct? The MFG and the ORD numbers should be the same........which is which on your vehicle? According to my records ......11731/7293/40196127 all go together but I don't know where the #5970 fits..... Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Jesse, Is the "data plate 433" a main data plate or a hull data plate? Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.

Dave, The ORD/MFG number on this data plate is the serial number of the vehicle. Seeterlin was the Ordnance Inspector at the Studebaker Plant and did the inspections of Weasels. You should also have a thin data plate on the bulkhead in the cargo compartment ( passenger side ) that will be stamped " M29C-xxxx" ( x=unknown number). This is the Hull serial number. There will also be a Motor serial number stamped on the drivers side of the motor near the water pump just under the head. I have a database of existing Weasels and would like to add yours to it. If you contact me directly at jgilmore@ptd.net I will give you the original USA registration number that was painted on the outside of the vehicle. Jim Gilmore Jim Thorpe, PA.