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Jerry Cans: The True Secret Weapon of WWII [video]
- camtarn 5y agoTL;DW - prior to the invention of the jerry can, forces used fragile thin-walled disposable canisters to transport fuel. These often leaked, causing logistical issues. Pre-WWII Germany sunk a surprising amount of time into designing the perfect fuel container: sturdy, with multiple handles to allow different ways of carrying it, an ingenious spout, and even a small area of air space at the top of the can to ensure it always floated in water even when full. These proved so much better than the existing canisters that the Allies resorted to seizing and using captured German jerry cans, before eventually building the tooling to manufacture their own to the same design. The reason for the reference to a 'secret weapon' is that a sturdy reliable fuel storage and delivery system, which could be carried by the thousands in ordinary trucks without worrying about spillage, or strapped onto the outside of tanks and armoured cars, allowed mechanised forces to move significantly faster and further than before.
- LinuxBender 5y agoI've had no luck finding any of these aside from antiques in poor condition and costs too much. The closest I can find in good condition is the CARB certified Midwest knock-off that has some of the nice features but still has a plastic nozzle. I can not find any of the Jerry cans with the compression lid. I would love to get a bunch of the original ones in good condition.
- thatguy0900 5y agooriginal ones aren't legal to make anymore due to epa spillage regulations. You can get aftermarket spouts marketed for "water only" though that actually work