Bridge plates????

[Craig]

Could someone please tell me which bridge plate my Chevy ton and a half should bare if any? Craig

[Cat Man]

Craig,

If you want to display your truck as deployed in Europe then it likely would have had a bridge plate. The military bridge classification system evolved during WWII and replaced the older American civil engineering "H" highway bridge classification system.

If you study photo's of 1 1/2 ton Chevy's in the US at that time they do not display bridge class plates. Even studying photo's of 1 1/2 tons on the Alcan Highway, they do not show bridge plates. So take your pick. Plate or no plate depending on where you want you truck to serve.

FM5-10 Construction and Routes of communication Jan 1944 lists under BRIDGE CLASSIFICATION, the following gross weights for classification of military vehicles. "1 1/2 ton, 4x4, all types 10.8 (x 1000 lbs)"
Always round up for safety, so that's 11,000 Lbs = 5.5 tons. Bridge class numbers are always whole numbers. So, round up again to next highest whole ton number = 6 tons. The designation "6" on the bridge plate should be correct.

In WWII before standard commercial plates were available, the round end of a Number 10 tin can from the mess hall was used - painted yellow with black number.

You still have time to put it on before the Memorial Day parade tomorrow
morning.

CAT Man

[Craig]

Thanks Catman, Craig