Agreed.  Drat.   That dry / whitish-gray appearance usually results from a zinc-based “phosphating” process - where military phosphate finishes used primarily manganese.  This results in a darker finish, with speculation being that immediate exposure to Cosmoline (or equivalent) changed the color slightly to a green hue.

On my way home after another great  week Will post photos once I get all of them sorted…

The Renault Juvaquatre and Peugeot 202 are some of my favorite French cars of that era. In fact, my first car was a Renault 4CV from 1953... 😊   Worked on the jeep again last Saturday, more cleaning done but we hit a bit of a snag because both bolts of the left axle bumper snapped clean off while trying to remove it! 😩 On the inside of the frame are captured nuts, and because of the axle there is not enough room to get a drill there to try and drill out the remains of the bolts. So we will most likely remove the whole axle with springs now; I can use this situation to my benefit and finish cleaning the whole packet from all sides, prepare for paint and spray it, so it can dry while we work on those snapped bolts.   I might even be able to get the whole front of the frame and the engine in the first coat of OD. weather predictions say it will be warm and dry next week, which would be great since will have to assemble everything back before the frame can be rolled back into the garage 🤣    The other axle bumper luckily came off without any trouble, they were likely never removed before and the bolts were marked 'TR20'. A real shame 2 of them snapped, but can't be helped.   Changing the subject, here is proof that at least one example of the M1943 hood was actually used! These hoods are still very common, very cheap and usually NOS but real WW2-made. Mr Fibble might enjoy the other details in the photo as well.😊 I think the pic could be from the Korean war though.  

Good evening, got those flags this morning (with german 84/98 bayo and  more). The smallest are paper sheets about 9,5 x 11 inch, hold together with a mini rope, The fabric one (tissu) is about 44 x 57. I suppose some souvenirs from Libération in our area. All with 48 stars. Thanks to internet's help, i managed to fold it correctly. Salutations, Jean-Marie  

. Hi everyone,   it was frustrating last night not to be able to make posts of the days events, or previous days events, this is just a few shots of the civilian cars that were in the Carentan parade yesterday, there were probably around 150 military vehicles in total and once my visitor leaves for the UK then I will try and load much more.                    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 09  2O25. ( 81st anniversary of D-Day 1944 )   ….

The picture issue seems to have been fixed. Let’s test it and see… Gunji didn’t spot any antique cars today, but the boys did find the TARDIS!  mikie

Has anyone seen one like this before?  The back looks theater made.  I looked through Tucker's book but didn't see anything like it.  I appreciate any help in advance,  

Got this yesterday in a grab bag of patches.

Thanks, John1980.  It’s really crazy how the prices have gone up so much on these. I’m pretty sure that’s what I paid for the rifle not too many years ago.    Hayman  

I actually read that thread and that’s what I was wondering.  Less roots to cut through wish sandy environments.