U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
- Quest Master
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1791
- Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:33 am
- Location:
- Contact:
U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
So, I decided to restore a few cans for the 1942 Ford GPW that I will be showing. The cans that will be with my Jeep are restored to match the ones in the famous LIFE magazine photo taken in Stratford-On-Avon in England prior to the Normandy invasion, 1944. These cans would have ended up in France during the invasion, so I've restored two to match the photo. The blue paint is much lighter in actual light than in the photos. The stencils were made on 3M sticky backed printer paper and hand cut by me (I make all of my own stencils). Let me know what you thing. Enjoy!
Thanks,
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
- lucakiki
- G-General
- Posts: 17578
- Joined: Sat Feb 15, 2003 7:18 am
- Location: Torino, ITALY
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
The answer is simple:I think you made an outstanding job!
Luca
WillysMB#344142 6-19-44 Navy N.S.Blue Grey
45 Bantam T-3 #57248 1-10-45
42 Willys MB-T #13560 11-42
43 Willys MB-T # 25417 4-43
Way too many WWII military tools,hopefully thinning down,and way too many posts...
__________________________________________
_____________________________________________
__________________________________________
WillysMB#344142 6-19-44 Navy N.S.Blue Grey
45 Bantam T-3 #57248 1-10-45
42 Willys MB-T #13560 11-42
43 Willys MB-T # 25417 4-43
Way too many WWII military tools,hopefully thinning down,and way too many posts...
__________________________________________
_____________________________________________
__________________________________________
- gerrykan
- G-General
- Posts: 9303
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:37 am
- Location: Ozark Mountains, USA
- lightningdivision
- G-First Sergeant
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:44 am
- Location: Belgium
- Contact:
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
wow,nice job!!!
never noticed the little triangle
never noticed the little triangle
78th INFANTRY DIVISION
310th INFANTRY REGIMENT
Owner of "the bug mobile" '44 jeep
310th INFANTRY REGIMENT
Owner of "the bug mobile" '44 jeep
- REG
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3986
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:34 am
- Location: South Wales, UK
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Ditto - fantastic job - I'll delete my photos of my pitiful attempt!!lightningdivision wrote:wow,nice job!!!
never noticed the little triangle
Great stenciling - I gave up and used a water decal!
REG
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
- gerrykan
- G-General
- Posts: 9303
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:37 am
- Location: Ozark Mountains, USA
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
I did not mention this before, because I did not want to detract from Van's excellent restoration.
Although it is hard to tell from the photo(even enlarged), but the triangle is likely light green, and not blue.
The one NOS can I have and the very few photos I have seen of originally marked cans have light green triangles.
This is the only color war-time photo I recall seeing with the triangle, and although I think it is probably green, it may in fact be blue.
I will try to take, and post some photos of my can before the weekend is over.
Roy
- Quest Master
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1791
- Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:33 am
- Location:
- Contact:
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Roy,
It could be green...but I went with the most likely interpretation of the photo in that they were painting hundreds if not thousands of cans and using multiple colors for just gas cans seemed a bit inappropriate. There was after all a war on and they were not preparing them for a car show.
I'm going to stick with the the blue.
I've had a few PM's about how I do my restoration work and styles that I choose. I have been doing it for decades and my way may not be the easiest, but I like the way they turn out.
THE STENCIL: I use 3M or "Post-It" full sheet A4 adhesive backed printer paper to make all of my stencils. I just completed 2 German Panzerfaust's with this method if you would like to see pictures of that too. I choose the size and style of the font in Microsoft Word and print on the adhesive paper. Then...using a utility knife, hand cut each letter or number. Yes this takes HUGE time. For these gas cans...I had to add little "breaks" in each letter and number.
When it came to the blue stripes, my best interpretation of them is 1/2" wide by 4" long. I tend to use modeling paint when I do some restorations as the quantity is smaller and the model folks are more snobs when it comes to color then the real car guys...so they really try to match the color exactly. I went with Model Masters "Big Bad Blue" for the stripes...which in natural light is much lighter than in the photos. I intentionally made the edges of the blue lines a bit "fuzzy" or sloppy because the marking would have been done quickly during the war...and not PERFECT!
These are three of the four cans that will be displayed on my September 1942 GPW. This GPW is restored as a D+5 Normandy Jeep belonging to the 1st Infantry Division. She did not have a liquid container carrier on her rear. Spare gas cans are being carried on the front bumper for quick storage and movement into Normandy after the cross channel advance.
Enjoy!
It could be green...but I went with the most likely interpretation of the photo in that they were painting hundreds if not thousands of cans and using multiple colors for just gas cans seemed a bit inappropriate. There was after all a war on and they were not preparing them for a car show.
I'm going to stick with the the blue.
I've had a few PM's about how I do my restoration work and styles that I choose. I have been doing it for decades and my way may not be the easiest, but I like the way they turn out.
THE STENCIL: I use 3M or "Post-It" full sheet A4 adhesive backed printer paper to make all of my stencils. I just completed 2 German Panzerfaust's with this method if you would like to see pictures of that too. I choose the size and style of the font in Microsoft Word and print on the adhesive paper. Then...using a utility knife, hand cut each letter or number. Yes this takes HUGE time. For these gas cans...I had to add little "breaks" in each letter and number.
When it came to the blue stripes, my best interpretation of them is 1/2" wide by 4" long. I tend to use modeling paint when I do some restorations as the quantity is smaller and the model folks are more snobs when it comes to color then the real car guys...so they really try to match the color exactly. I went with Model Masters "Big Bad Blue" for the stripes...which in natural light is much lighter than in the photos. I intentionally made the edges of the blue lines a bit "fuzzy" or sloppy because the marking would have been done quickly during the war...and not PERFECT!
These are three of the four cans that will be displayed on my September 1942 GPW. This GPW is restored as a D+5 Normandy Jeep belonging to the 1st Infantry Division. She did not have a liquid container carrier on her rear. Spare gas cans are being carried on the front bumper for quick storage and movement into Normandy after the cross channel advance.
Enjoy!
Thanks,
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
- Navarre
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1387
- Joined: Wed Oct 12, 2011 7:54 am
- Location: Canary Islands, Spain
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Beautiful job!!!
About the triangle color, I´m with Roy...I would say it is green. What does it means??
Here you are a pic of mine:
Regards
About the triangle color, I´m with Roy...I would say it is green. What does it means??
Here you are a pic of mine:
Regards
"Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition"
Ford GPW 86534 DoD 12-11-42...in progress!
Resto thread: viewtopic.php?f=144&t=198728
Ford GPW 86534 DoD 12-11-42...in progress!
Resto thread: viewtopic.php?f=144&t=198728
- Chuck Lutz
- Gee Addict
- Posts: 26829
- Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:00 am
- Location: Jeep Heaven
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
I would have to wonder where they got the WEIGHT (40.5 lbs.) on that stencil...
Gasoline weighs 6.073 lbs per gallon
Jerry Can holds 5.25 gallons
Weight of 5.25 gallons is 31.88 lbs
Weight of jerry can is 10.5 lbs
The Gross Weight should be 42.38 lbs.
What it appears is they simply said that the jerry can holds FIVE gallons of gasoline and gasoline weighs SIX pounds per gallon, which equals THIRTY LBS. If you add the 10.5 lbs of the can to 30 lbs of gas you get = 40.5 lbs
Uh-oh....
Gasoline weighs 6.073 lbs per gallon
Jerry Can holds 5.25 gallons
Weight of 5.25 gallons is 31.88 lbs
Weight of jerry can is 10.5 lbs
The Gross Weight should be 42.38 lbs.
What it appears is they simply said that the jerry can holds FIVE gallons of gasoline and gasoline weighs SIX pounds per gallon, which equals THIRTY LBS. If you add the 10.5 lbs of the can to 30 lbs of gas you get = 40.5 lbs
Uh-oh....
Chuck Lutz
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
GPW 17963 4/24/42 Chester, PA. USA 20113473 (USA est./Tom W.)
Bantam T3-C 1947
- REG
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3986
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:34 am
- Location: South Wales, UK
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
I don't have your patience!!
REG
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
-
- Sergeant Major of the Gee
- Posts: 442
- Joined: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:28 pm
- Location: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Great Job, your attention to detail is outstanding. Did you sandblast the cans to remove the old paint? I have some to repaint and was wondering if I should also seal the inside.
Thanks for posting, I really like the stencils.
Dave
Thanks for posting, I really like the stencils.
Dave
Dave M38A1
1953 M38A1
1964 USMC M38A1
M274 A5 Mule (Pepe')
64 CJ5
97 TJ Wrangler (Son's Ride)
1953 M38A1
1964 USMC M38A1
M274 A5 Mule (Pepe')
64 CJ5
97 TJ Wrangler (Son's Ride)
- Quest Master
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1791
- Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2003 5:33 am
- Location:
- Contact:
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
If someone can show me definitive evidence that a green triangle is correct and what it stands for, I will repaint it. For now, my interpretation is blue, same as the stripes. It is an easy fix if I am wrong. The stenciling was the hard part.
No comment on the POM markings on the other can? I thought that was subtle restoration detail.
Thanks for the praise guys. I pride myself in my restoration efforts and details.
Yes, I sandblast everything to bare metal and prime with red oxide primer. As for the inside...I don't touch them as I don't plan on using them.
Again...enjoy. More to come!
No comment on the POM markings on the other can? I thought that was subtle restoration detail.
Thanks for the praise guys. I pride myself in my restoration efforts and details.
Yes, I sandblast everything to bare metal and prime with red oxide primer. As for the inside...I don't touch them as I don't plan on using them.
Again...enjoy. More to come!
Thanks,
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
Van
Kosovo, Afghanistan (x2) and Iraq Campaign Veteran
"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
45 GMC DUKW (105mm)
42 Ford GPW
44 Willys MB
44 Clark CA-1
43 Studebaker T-24
42 Harley WLA
44 Cushman 53
42 Willys MBT
44 Columbia F-92L
43 Huffman G-519
- gerrykan
- G-General
- Posts: 9303
- Joined: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:37 am
- Location: Ozark Mountains, USA
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
I cannot definitively say the triangle should be green, and all the green triangles I have seen are the size of the one Navarre's can, not the smaller size seen in the now famous photograph.
I still feel that you did an excellent restoration of the cans and markings.
Regarding weight,
You would have to know what a gallon of 1944 80 octane gasoline weighs, which might be slightly different than what a gallon of 2013 gasoline weighs.
Regardless of the fact an American jerrycan is capable of holding 5.25 gallons, if the U.S. Army contract for prepackaged gasoline specifies the can to be filled with 5 gallons, the refinery is probably only going to put 5 gallons in the can, not 5.25 gallons.
I still feel that you did an excellent restoration of the cans and markings.
Regarding weight,
You would have to know what a gallon of 1944 80 octane gasoline weighs, which might be slightly different than what a gallon of 2013 gasoline weighs.
Regardless of the fact an American jerrycan is capable of holding 5.25 gallons, if the U.S. Army contract for prepackaged gasoline specifies the can to be filled with 5 gallons, the refinery is probably only going to put 5 gallons in the can, not 5.25 gallons.
Roy
- lightningdivision
- G-First Sergeant
- Posts: 133
- Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:44 am
- Location: Belgium
- Contact:
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Reg,what are You talking about???Your can also looks great.
About the little triangle,if I should restore my can to this condition,I would also go with bleu.Why?
Remember the famous pictures about the 101AB paratroopers,the filthy 13.Most reenactors used white and red to paint up the face,but in '44 they used white and black,because the ground personal used that for the stripes on the planes
About the little triangle,if I should restore my can to this condition,I would also go with bleu.Why?
Remember the famous pictures about the 101AB paratroopers,the filthy 13.Most reenactors used white and red to paint up the face,but in '44 they used white and black,because the ground personal used that for the stripes on the planes
78th INFANTRY DIVISION
310th INFANTRY REGIMENT
Owner of "the bug mobile" '44 jeep
310th INFANTRY REGIMENT
Owner of "the bug mobile" '44 jeep
- REG
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 3986
- Joined: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:34 am
- Location: South Wales, UK
Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics
Cheers! You can see the outline of the water slide decal but it'll do until I find the time to copy what you have done!lightningdivision wrote:Reg,what are You talking about???Your can also looks great.
About the little triangle,if I should restore my can to this condition,I would also go with bleu.Why?
Remember the famous pictures about the 101AB paratroopers,the filthy 13.Most reenactors used white and red to paint up the face,but in '44 they used white and black,because the ground personal used that for the stripes on the planes
Great you mention the filthy thirteen - I met some of them in 2009
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39266475@N ... 503041894/
I thought I was going to be driving the town mayor in the following ceremony - I ended up with the local chief of police - gold braid shoulder boards and all!!
REG
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
________________
GPW 7448I: DoD 10/42
Engine 11/89
Bantam trailer DOD: 12/44
"Million-to-one chances crop up nine times out of ten."
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 55 guests