Tuesday, January 10

Preview: 1/48th scale new German Jerry Cans, WWII, from MiniArt

MiniArt continues to bring new 1/48th scale kits and accessories to match their new aircraft (& maybe other types to come?) We take a look at new German "Jerry Cans" in 48th in our preview...


Preview:  1/48th scale new German Jerry Cans, WWII, from MiniArt

German Jerry Cans, WWII
From MiniArt
Kit No #49004
1/48th Scale
The box contains 28 models of cans
The Subject - the German "Jerry Can"
The Wehrmacht-Einheitskanister, as it was known in Germany, was first developed in 1937 by the Müller engineering firm in Schwelm to a design by their chief engineer Vinzenz Grünvogel. A similar design was used in 1936 during the Spanish Civil War. The Wehrmacht had specified that a soldier should be able to carry either two full containers or four empty ones, which is the reason the triple handles were fitted. To achieve the required filling and draining speed, it was fitted with a large spout and flip top closure. 
A hole in the closure retainer made it possible to fit a securing pin or wire with a lead seal. The rectangular shape made it stackable. The recessed welded seam stiffened the container and protected the seam from impact damage. The indentations ensured a full can would not be severely damaged when falling from a vehicle, while a dip coat of paint on the inside protected it from corrosion.

Jerrycans in production.
Made from two pieces of pressed steel that slotted into each other, they needed only one weld to hold them together. Developed under the utmost secrecy, the jerrycan featured flat sides that were rectangular in shape and was made in two halves that were welded together like an automobile fuel tank. It had three handles, which allowed it to be easily passed from one man to another; had a 5 U.S. gallon capacity, and weighed 45 pounds when full. An ingenious spout allowed it to pour smoothly without a funnel. It could be opened without a tool, and had an air chamber that would keep it afloat if it fell into the water. The three handles facilitated a soldier being able to hold up to four cans at a time by placing them together, and made for efficient handling in a bucket brigade. The inside was lined with impervious plastic so they could be used for fuel or water.

German Afrika Korps using these cans in the Western desert WWII
The strength of the Wehrmachtskanister was also recognised in the Soviet Union. Its design was later copied and the Soviet Army accepted it as the standard container for liquids. This container is still being produced and used in modern Russia. In civilian use, this container is used primarily for automotive fuel and lubricants. When the British Army first saw the German fuel cans during the Norwegian Campaign in 1940, they immediately saw the advantages of the superior design.  The British used cans captured from the "Jerries" (slang for Germans), hence "jerrycans", in preference to their own containers as much as possible.

British soldier refueling a lorry with petrol from a jerrycan
The US-designed jerrycan was widely used by US Army and Marine Corps units. In all overseas theatres, fuel and other petroleum products represented about 50% of all supply needs, measured by weight. In the European Theatre of Operations alone, over 19 million were required to support US forces by May 1945.

Refilling Jerrycans at a supply depot- Normandy, 1944
The German design jerrycan is still a standard container for fuel and other liquids in the armies of the NATO countries. Civilians and armies all over the world use this can and its variations in many materials all around the world to this day.

The new kit by MiniArt
German Jerry Cans, WWII from MiniArt is made in a new tooled kit in 1/48th Scale to match their new 48th scale kit and accessory series. The box contains 28 models of cans, with five sprues. Packed with plastic parts representing handles, caps and the two halves simply making the ans, similar to real life. The earlier 20ltr triangular metal cans are also included in this set.
Decals for the cans are included also.