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German Fuel Drum Set (35186) $8 The German Fuel Drum Set is a 1/35 scale reproduction of the famous Wehrmacht Jerrycans used during World War II. This kit contains the components to build six German-type fuel drums, 12 fuel jerrycans, four water jerrycans, two stand pipes, and two hand-driven pumps. These items can be fitted to the Tamiya Land Rover models while maintaining historical accuracy. |
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Japan Self Defense Force Motorcycle Reconnaissance Set (35245) $15 The Japan Self Defense Force Motorcycle Reconnaissance Set is a 1/35 scale reproduction of a modern motorcycle Reconnaissance team. This kit comes complete with two figures and a dirt bike, as well as complete instructions in English, German, and Japanese. Cement and paint not included. |
The German Fuel Drum Set is a nice way to accessorize your Land Rover model. This kit contains the parts required to assemble six fuel drums, 12x fuel Jerrycans, and four water jerrycans.
During the Second World War, it was very common for both Allied and Axis vehicles to use captured jerrycans from the other side. The brilliant design of the Jerrycan was considered a major element of the success of the Blitzkrieg movement across Europe, and the can's design features were strictly classified in the early parts of the Second World War. Wehrmacht units that were in substantial danger of surrender or capture were ordered to destroy their jerrycans for fear that the cans would fall into Allied hands. The Germans' fears were not unwarranted. The Allies used the jerrycan whenever they could capture them. This British Army Special Air Service Jeep in North Africa holds an eclectic mix of several Jerrycans as well as the inferior American copy of the Jerrycan. The SAS were tasked with finding and destroying enemy aircraft parked on the ground, and operated deep behind enemy lines without other support. The SAS had to rely on their fuel cans to hold their precious fuel on these long missions far from their own lines. With the superiority of the jerrycan over the American copy, it was only natural that the Allies would use the jerrycan whenever they could capture specimens. Furthermore, post-War vehicles such as these Tamiya Land Rovers often used NATO-allied German Jerrycans. Thus it can be historically accurate to have German Jerrycans on both WWII-era and post-War vehicles like the Rover Ambulance and Pink Panther.
The German Fuel Drum Set contains 12 fuel Jerrycans. These cans are properly marked with "Kraftstoff 20L" on the sides. This is remarkable detail considering that the Jerrycans are 1/35th actual size and are 1/2" tall.
The proportions of the Tamiya Jerrycans exactly match the proportion, contours, and details of the genuine Jerrycan.
The German Fuel Drum Set also contains the components required to assemble four Water Jerrycans. These water jerrycans are properly marked "Wasser 20L" near the top and "Wehrmacht" on the bottom. Wasser ("water") Jerrycans were typically painted with white stripes in a cruciform pattern to distinguish at a glance them from the the kraftstoff ("fuel") Jerrycans.
The genuine German Jerrycans were fitted with three handles at the top, a very thoughtful design to those who use and appreciate fine equipment. Why not just one handle? Three handles make the jerrycan much easier to handle. The middle handle permits the user to carry one full can in each hand without having the can tilt and bang against the legs. The three-handle design also permits the user to carry two empty cans in each hand by forming the two outer handles of two separate cans into a single handle. The same handle design permits soldiers or workers to pass cans to one another in a bucket-brigade fashion without having to shift their grip or support the cans by the base when passing them from person to person.
The Tamiya Jerrycans faithfully reproduce the handle design on the genuine Wehrmacht Jerrycans.
Genuine Wehrmacht Jerrycans also featured the cam-locking cap that provided an airtight seal and prevented wear and tear to the sealing gasket.
The Tamiya Jerrycans reproduce, in remarkable detail, the cam-locking cap on the Jerrycans. These Jerrycans provide authenticity and detail to the Tamiya Land Rover kits.
Another interesting Tamiya kit is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Motorcycle Reconnaissance Set. Obviously, this set would not be historically accurate when accompanying either the Rover Ambulance or Pink Panther kits. However, this kit does contain various parts that can be accurate with other Land Rover or military miniature kits.
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Motorcycle Reconnaissance Set includes two figures and a dirt bike. As with all Tamiya models, the amount of detail present is excellent.
Instructions in Japanese, English, German, and French are included with the JGSDF kit.