Hello, I'm new to this site, Last fall i found a 1951 m-1 truck sitting in a tree line at a farm in Minnesota. After further review and purchase of the truck the nomenclature tag says USAF. I have done a lot of looking on the internet about this and really didn't find much. I have seen some F1 trucks the same year used as follow me trucks in the USAF but nothing about the M-1, If anyone has any leads or info to point me in a direction for finding more about this please respond. thanks

 

Welcome! Some pics would help to get clarity on basic questions on badging. Can you share? What are your plans?

 

Welcome!

Sounds like a cool/rare truck.

 

Does it have Mercury badging and tailgate lettering? Mercury pickups were only sold in Canada AFAIK, so don't know if USAF marking is legitimate?

 

We do/did have some bases in Canada. Goose Bay and North Bay come to mind. I think it is very likely the truck was a legit USAF Mercury. It would make sense for the government to buy from Ford of Canada for vehicles used in that country.

 

We also built the Dew Line in the 50's. This involved massive logistical efforts to build, in some rough territory. And as Denny said, it would make sense to buy from a close provider.

 

thanks for the info, All the badging is m-1 has the mercury tail gate, m1 chrome on the side of hood and mercury on the front, the nomenclature tag was with the truck and the vin on the card matches the # on the frame, My plans for the truck are to make it look original paint and markings, the only one i can find is the f-1 blue with yellow lettering, I would think they would all be the same. The other problem i have is the plant id is CL and I cant find that on any of the lists. I have started a frame up restoration, had it all sandblasted and just going through and replacing what needs it and keeping what I can. I have found that all the F-1 parts are the same, The truck seams to be a very basic modal, one wiper, one visor and so on. Thanks for the help, if anyone knows what or where CL means for the plant location please comment.

 

That is really cool, I just looked that up and the initial contract for building the pinetree line was with the USAF and the royal Canadian air force, Its totally plosable that Canadian fords (Mercury) could have been used.

 

Here is how to post pic's on FTE

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ure-guide.html

Here is one way by "Axracer"

Do you have digital pix of your truck from digital camera or phone on your computer?
If so it is easy to add them to a post (assuming the file is not too large). Find the
pic on your computer and leave it open while you come here in another window. Compose
a post, click where you want the pic to appear in the post. Click on the picture icon
at the top of the posting box (looks like a postcard with mountains and sun) A dialog
box will open asking if you want to drag a pic onto the box or browse your computer to
find it. If you have the pic open, go there, right click anywhere on the pic and chose
copy from the menu. Come back to your post and right click on the box. Select paste from
the menu. Your picture should appear (it may take a few seconds to load) in the box. Now
left click on the insert button.
If the stars all aligned your picture should now be in your post window. Select post to
have it appear on the forum or repeat to add more pix. Some cameras make huge files these
days that are larger than the forum limits. You may need to resize or resample the picture
and save the smaller file version with whatever picture editing software came with your
picture taking device before you can post it.


If you are a supporter than just right click on an image from anywhere like Facebook
or whatever. Than left click in your post and paste it in. So simple even a monkey
could do it.

Oh! and welcome to FTE and the old truck madness.