I am building a 1/48 scale diorama for my P-51 Mustang. I wanted to add some fuel drums. However the only ones I can find in 1/48 scale are German fuel drums. My question is how different looking are the two and could these German cans pass for US ones.

Thanks

Sure, why not? The only difference is, that the US barrels had US markings stamped on the lids, but they don't neccesarliy have to be shown. I used US barrels for my German '88 dio, I just shaved off the markings. You could always say that the barrels are empty and upside down.

Don't want to be nit-picking but the the thick "hoops" of german fuel drums are a distinctive feature...
Legend has released 2 resin sets of 1/48 fuel drums :
one is german (#LF4040):

the other is US (#LF4041):


You can see the different hooping...
HTH
Frenchy

Well, OK then, I was hesitating to ask the question below, now it has become a thread here, I will ask that:

Does anyone have any reference to the sizes/dimensions/details of primarily German barrels of WW2? American ones would do as well, bu at the moment I need German ones. This would help Redman, too I suppose.

Thanks a lot...
Cagin