U.S./NATO BRIDGING MARKINGS
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Generous supply of yellow disks, black numbers and red Cs. Can also be applied as wet decals using the WetMedia paper sold elsewhere in this catalog. Comes with detailed history and directions.
Researched by Cookie Sewell
One of the basic problems with vehicles and bridges, especially temporary ones, is determining what weight is being placed on the bridge, and if the structural capacity of the bridge has been exceeded. During movement, most armies place military traffic controllers or MPs on these structures to prevent overtaxing the structures. This resulted in the US and UK adopting standardized weight classification markings prior to WW II.
These markings were placed on the fronts of all vehicles and indicated their loaded weight in long tons (20 hundredweight or 2,240 pounds). They were placed on 9" disks on large vehicles and 6" disks on smaller vehicles. The normal color was yellow with black numbers.
After the war was over, the US Army amplified this system with a series of plates which used interchangeable numbers and a supplementary marking. The plates could then be changed to indicate a different weight classification (i.e. for cargo trucks or modified tanks). The supplementary marking was a red letter "C" placed above the number, and which indicated that the vehicle in question was towing a cargo trailer with additional weight. Thus a truck such as an M715 1 1/4 ton cargo truck may have a "04" rating on its own, but a "C 05" with a trailer. They also became NATO standard, and can be seen to this day on all NATO vehicles.
Most weights varied, and in some cases US units began to use the short ton listing (2,000 pounds) instead. Thus, some research is needed before the markings can be used.
Recommended references include the Osprey/Vanguard and Osprey/New Vanguard series, Squadron/Signal's "In Action" and Special series, Concord Publications, and Museum Ordnance Specials.