U.S./Allied & German Jerry Cans (1 Viewer)

[noli-poli]

Just an observation: DD39 M3 Quad, BBA05 Mortar Half Track and DD45 Sherman 105 are all sporting German jerry cans, i.e., X with square center imprint. Isn't it supposed to be the X imprint for the U.S & its allies?
While it's true that both armies used captured equipments during the war, wouldn't it be realistic to show a mixture of both? Just a thought, need the vets/experts pov (point-of-view).

N-P

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Good observation and you are correct. As far as every army thinking that the other guy has something better, well that is true.
You do see far more British vehicles in North Africa using German Jerry cans (Notice the name?) as the British equivalent really wasn't as well designed. You seem to see far less of this in the ETO Especially with US forces as we had such overwhelming supplies. You also see far less gas being carried on vehicles in the ETO. Also look for markings on the cans, as the same style cans were used for water but were clearly marked. In the case of the Germans this appears as a large white cross on both sides of the can.

 

[noli-poli]

Ken:

Thanks for the insight

N-P

 

[binder001]

I love to look at WW2 photos, particularly with an eye to items I'd like to model, I have noticed that US forces in the ETO used a number of German-style gas cans. I say "German-style" because the British made an almost direct copy of the German 20-liter fuel can. The original Britsih 4 gal. "flimsies" lived up to their nickname. The Brits were suitably impressed with the Wehrmacht 20-liter can, and rather than reinvent the wheel, they adopted the design as a 5-gallon can. When the US adopted the idea for a 5 gallon fuel/water can the general layout was kept but the cans were modified for US production. The US water can has a totally different flip-top lid and a brown enamel lining, whereas the fuel can has a screw top closure and no lining. In all the years that I've been modelling, I've only run into one good model of the WW2 US type water can - the resin offerings in 1/35th by Armando Bayardi.

Model trivia - Historex made 1/32nd styrene kits of fuel cans for the Squadron Shop back in the 1970s. These were supposed to be mixed "US" and "German" styles. However the "German: cans are actually modelled after the British production. Cast into each one is the "WD" and the British War Dept vertical arrow.

Anyway, your model can be carrying US, British, or German cans (at least in Europe), just don't have the German or British cans on a USMC vehicle in the Pacific!

Gary

 

[noli-poli]

another great insight! Thanks Gary. Now I can rest easy
N-P