what size markings on the sides

[FrankUSMC]

I see in photos, some half tracks will have markings identifying the half track. They will be in large letters...like C-7, or D-14
how big were these letters?
thanks
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

[Tapper02]

Hi Frank,
  I was hesitant to reply as I can't find the confirmation of the size I used, but since you haven't got a response yet I thought I'd share my reasoning.

  I based the markings on my halftrack off of a period photo of an M3A1 attached to the 4th AD.  Based on a 20" star, and the slightly smaller "8" placed aft of it on the side armor, I made mine 15".  I do remember confirming this measurement at the time and before I ordered my stencil, but for the life of me I can't find that info.

  Certainly not the definitive answer I'm sure you were looking for, but maybe it'll get the conversation started.

-Tom

[FrankUSMC]

Tom
Thanks...I was seriously thinking maybe this site was dead. Thank you so much.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

[Tapper02]

Tom
Thanks...I was seriously thinking maybe this site was dead. Thank you so much.
One of the few, Frank USMC RET

It's going down that road unfortunately....the Facebook groups are killing it.  I've come back to it a lot in the past 6-8 months though as I've ramped up the work on my halftrck.  A lot of great searchable content that you can't find anywhere else, even on the G503.

[blue70chevelle]

you're definitely not fitting a 20" star on the side of a vehicle equipped with mine racks which tells me that the number in the aforementioned picture isn't 15".
2 of our 4 halftracks are "speed number" marked and they both have 12" markings.

[8683jb]

you're definitely not fitting a 20" star on the side of a vehicle equipped with mine racks which tells me that the number in the aforementioned picture isn't 15".

You absolutely can get a 20-inch star on a vehicle with a mine rack. The size of the star is derived from the diameter of the circle that star would fit in, making the actual star smaller than the nominal size of 20 inches. The "20-inch" star on my M2A1 measures 18" from a straight edge across the bottom points to the top point but it would still easily fit if that dimension was 20".

[blue70chevelle]

while I humbly stand corrected, and 18" top to bottom measurement is more doable for sure then a 20" which would probably look awkward