Guys: I have some 5gal cans in the parts bin from the Tamiya Allied Vehicles Accessory Set that I’d like to use on my M4 HST but I’m a bit confused on the names & markings.
One is called a fuel can and the other is a “blitz” can…huh? The blitz can has a “W” and a “D” on it and I thought that could stand for water but that doesn’t seem correct. The other can has no markings or lettering.
My ultimate goal is to be able to paint/ designate the cans so they are CLEARLY differentiated as water or fuel.
Another question: Is “jerry can” the correct term for US 5gal too?
The “WD” marked blitz cans are British. WD stood for War Department. Early in the war, US vehicles could be seen w/British-style blitz cans, which were copies of German Blitz cans. The US also copied them w/out the WD marking.
US version
British and German versions
Later, the US designed their own cans which is the common one used through out the rest of WWII up into the '90s. There were fuel and water cans which differed by their opening covers.
Screw cap fuel can.
Pop cap water can.
It was common to mark the water can with either a white W, WATER, stripe, X, or top to make sure you didn’t accidentally fill it with gasoline.
