M37 fist aid kit - Steel Soldiers::Military Vehicles Supersite

jepsonjj · 01-24-2010, 20:42

Well, I need more help. I purchased a first aid kit that I thought was correct for my early M37. It won't fit. Does anyone have pictures or dimensions of the first aid kit that was mounted in early M37's on the passengers side seat bottom? The first aid kit I bought keeps the door from closing, and the strap is too short to fit around it. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

emmado22 · 01-24-2010, 20:46

Cant help you with that one, but will suggest that you also keep a modern "real" first aid kit in the vehicle for emergencies.

bulldog_mack13 · 01-24-2010, 21:57

I understand you want to be period correct , I do too. I wouldnt want to not have the correct kit in my M37.
Post a picture of what you have, I have a Vietnam military one and mine fits so im curious to see what you have.
And you can always toss a little kit in your glove compartment in case for a real emergency. -Jay

Bill W · 01-24-2010, 22:25

The WWII steel first aid kit is correct for early M-37's ( 1951-54 )
I'm told the aluminum (shouldered lid) 1st aid box that came out around 1957 is correct for the B1's, however I had both and the aluminum one would hit the door when I closed it
Here a pic of the WWII one that was on my 37

jepsonjj · 01-26-2010, 18:41

Thanks everyone. I believe the one I bought is the shouldered unit Bill W spoke about. I'll try to find a flat one.

At the risk of sounding computer stupid, I could use a little more help. What is the procedure for posting pictures on this forum? There have been a couple of times I should have posted a picture. I couldn't think of a better group to ask for help.

Thanks,

Joe

Mark@Sea · 01-28-2010, 01:39

I'd like to put a first aid kit there as well... but where it should mount I have 3 holes. Can someone post a photo of the mount (and/or a link to a source for same)?

Bill W · 01-28-2010, 09:32

The three holes are for the little rubber bumpers that the kit rests against ( they're the same as the M-151 hood rest bumpers )
The strap is suppose to be held with footman loops but I cheated and just riveted my strap to the side of the seat riser

Mark@Sea · 01-28-2010, 09:49

Thanks for the info....

CGarbee · 01-28-2010, 10:09

My first aid kit was sold as "French Surplus" at Aberdeen (and a few on-line dealers also had them at the time) but it was the saem dimensionally as the one that BillW had. A couple of new stickers from Rick Larsen and you can't tell it from an original US one... I then filled it with the contents of a first aid kit that I picked up at Northern Tool one day (clear plastic box that was almost the same size as the military one.
I've got a first aid kit in all the vehicles, and I make it a point to check the expiration dates on the contents twice a year (when we check the ones at the office...).

One extra point: Some of the first aid kits in M37's got mounted by running the strap through slits in the under seat box instead of using the footman loops (or BillW's expedient of riviting the strap), but the location is the same... Just don't be surprised if you see a truck with elongated slots where the footman loops would be...

Mark@Sea · 01-28-2010, 11:19

Actually, I have 3 holes for the bumpers, but no slits, loops, or anything else. I also have the holes for mounting the fire extinguisher, but according to the production listing I found, the fire extinguisher was discontinued before '54.
Matters not - I'm installing fire extinguisher (actually, two - one for class A, one for class C fires) and of course a first aid kit.