1:35 US 20L Water Jerry Can with Rack

The real subject

Water was as much a part of the load on American vehicles as fuel, so alongside the fuel cans they carried cans for drinking water. A volume of twenty liters corresponds to roughly five US gallons. So that the crew would not reach for the wrong container by mistake, the water cans were clearly distinguished; a mix-up would have meant spilled water at best and an unusable supply at worst. The can was not carried loose on the vehicle but in a rack that clamped it and held it in place even over rough ground. The racks were bolted to a fender, to the side of the body or to the rear, depending on where there was room on the particular machine.

What the set offers

According to its name it is a water can with a rack for it, that is a pair that can be placed on a model as one unit. It comes in useful on trucks, off-road vehicles and armored vehicles alike, and it serves just as well in a diorama as part of a field camp or a supply pile beside a road.

• An American water can of twenty liters in 1:35 scale
• A rack for fastening the can to a vehicle is included
• Suitable for models of American vehicles and for dioramas
• It can also be used as a loose piece of load in a scene

Building and painting tips

Cut the surplus material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder down so that the surface relief is preserved. Wash and degrease the parts before painting, and choose the glue according to the material of the parts. The can looks best when it is set apart from the rest of the vehicle: a base shade, a dark wash into the recesses and a light dry brush along the edges and handles pull the shape out in a moment. It pays to glue the rack on only once both parts are painted, otherwise the mating faces are hard to reach.

Who it is for

For modelers who build military vehicles in 1:35 scale and want to complete them with a believable load. The paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.