Anyone identify these US military markings?

[g72s20]

I bought this Japanese tinplate 1957 Prince Skyline, about a 1:16 scale. I'm curious about the side markings USA IE 0553, and the following markings across the trunk and hood or boot and bonnet..depending on where you are :cheeky: ;CRA-X TMP-18. It appears to have been repainted to represent a staff car? It was a light blue originally , but someone has gone to quite a lot of trouble to mask all the little bits and paint it what looks to be a genuine US Army Olive green. A 1959 Christmas gift for a Capt. Goodwin? Possibly from Okinawa but that is just a guess.

Anyone have an idea of what the various sign writing means? All thoughts and ideas welcome! :classic:

here's a few pics, the third one showing the real thing..for interest.

[Ed]

Just a guess here, the USA IE 0553 is a fleet number.

The USA is a designation that it is a vehicle representing the USA either military or govt.

The IE is a vehicle class designation. Meaning a 4-door sedan.

The 0553 is the number of the vehicle. 553rd of the lot.

I have no idea what the other markings mean.

[EScanlon]

Ed's guess seems to be on the money from what I remember of USAF markings, although in the Air Force air planes have the year of construction as part of their number. Not sure about vehicles and didn't see a correlation to that that I recall.

The "H" on the roof doesn't look like an H, it looks more like a set of Captain's bars. The two little lines between the bars is what gives that away. Some units at Christmas time would have unit celebrations where the Xmas tree would be decorated with personalized items for each of the members of the unit. I still have a little snow sled that was made for me (after a nominal donation) back at Wurtsmith AFB, MI back in the 80's.

The markings on the hood are more cryptic. Very possibly they denote a personnel position or a vehicle's use.

2¢

Enrique

[g72s20]

Thanks Ed and Enrique. Yep, Ed's explanation makes sense to me too.

It took me a while to see the "H" as Captains bars too Enrique.

I guess it's only trivia, but the fact someone has gone to the trouble of creating a "one of" to represent something unique or of significance to a select few has me intrigued, curious..... or just call me nosey :laugh: take tour pick!.

No doubt someone will look at the script on the front and rear of the car and know exactly what it means. The US Army base in Japan is Camp Zama near Tokyo. I might try them just for a laugh...hey you never know!

Thanks again guys,

Jim.