Introduction:

The US military adopted the five gallon steel jerry can early in World War II. It has been used for gas, water and other liquids as a key component of military logistics, becoming a widely recognized basic item of military equipment.

First appearing in late 1970s, plastic jerry cans offered a vast improvement over its metal predecessor: plastic cans were lighter, stronger and cheaper. Plastic jerry cans quickly became the new standard and have replaced the steel cans for most purposes in the US military. Unlike metal cans, where water and gas cans were almost identical, the plastic water containers were made exclusively with a single bar handle while the containers for other (poisonous) liquids had the traditional three bar design. Also, colors were used for the plastic material of the containers that would help avoid mixing the two uses: water cans are black or sand and fuel cans are olive drab or tan.

Review:

Pro Art Models recently launched a new series of modern vehicle and diorama accessories in 1/35 scale called Eco-line. Eco-line was created as an economy version of existing Pro Art accessory sets, usually consisting of smaller amount of pieces taken from these extensive sets. This review deals with one of the releases under Eco-line label: Water Jerry Can Set (EL-35047B).

Packed in a simple PVC bag with label, the set consists of 10 water cans in 1/35 scale. The cans are molded in cream colored resin and, except some thin flash residue around carrying handles which need to be cleaned using a sharp blade, the cast is really good. Please note the cream colored resin is very difficult to photograph and the images in this review do not do these water cans justice: the resin quality is of highest standard with the cans featuring sharp details wonderfully delivered in scale.

This set represents Scepter’s 20L Military Water Can, a heavy-duty plastic can designed to preserve the quality of drinking water during storage and transportation. The can is tall, flat-sided and rectangular with capacity of 20 liters (5.28 gallons) and dimensions slightly larger than Scepter’s Military Fuel Can: 18.8’’x13.7’’x6.8’’. The can features a single carrying handle, a self-locking cap with strap and a built-in vented pouring spout, with the content and the capacity of the container labeled on the side. Pro Art did their homework well and delivered these cans very realistically in scale. All the features previously mentioned are accurately depicted and well defined.

Conclusion:

Water Jerry Can Set (EL-35047B) from Pro Art Models delivers 10 nicely detailed 1/35 scale cans cast in resin. It is a simple set, but together with Pro Art’s Fuel Jerry Can Set (EL-35047A) presents a very important addition to any US or NATO modern military vehicle in 1/35 scale.