Each Hellcat was given a serial number, which was stamped on a dataplate mounted in the drivers compartment.  The plate was mounted on the hull deck, right in front of the dashboard.

The original data plate shown to the right has the following information on it (text in bold indicates stamped text):

76MM GUN MOTOR CARRIAGE T70

SERIAL NO. 1123

ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT, U.S. ARMY

M’F’D. BY BUICK MOTOR DIV. GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

CREW 5 MEN

GROSS WEIGHT 38561

ENGINE CRUISING SPEED 2100 R.P.M

ENGINE MAX SPEED 2400 R.P.M.

VEHICLE CRUISING SPEEDS

1-12 M.P.H

2-25 M.P.H.

3-45 M.P.H.

REVERSE 20 M.P.H.

1944

GOVERNMENT ACCEPTANCE ABO

PUBLICATIONS APPLYING TO THIS VEHICLE

TECHNICAL MANUAL: TM 9-755

PARTS LIST: G-163

The post-war data plate text is identical, except for the following:

REBUILT BY

BROWN & ROOT INC.

HOUSTON, TEXAS

1952

Although I don’t know for sure, I seriously doubt the military shipped all the Hellcats from Europe and the Pacific just to get them refreshed in Texas.  I believe the Houston, Texas mark indicates the then Headquarters of Brown and Root.  I have heard (though cannot confirm) that the rebuilds were done in a Brown and Root plant located in Northern Italy.  Anyone with any credible information on this, drop me a line at tanker@m18hellcat.com.