U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Manufacturers, production numbers, configurations, etc.
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Saddle Tramp
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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Saddle Tramp » Sun Jan 26, 2014 1:52 pm

Quest Master wrote: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. :D
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.
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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! :D
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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.
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Enjoy! :D
That's a great bit of restoration work!
Can you tell me how you came across the info you have stencilled onto the cans?
Would all the info referring to the cans contents be the same for all cans? irrespective of maker and location?
If I was to make a stencil, what parts could I change?

Thanks

Tim


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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Quest Master » Tue Jan 28, 2014 5:47 am

Tim,
If you look at the beginning of this thread you will see an original "Life" magazine photo that shows the stenciling. I copied the font style and lettering. Most of the cans in this photo have the exact same stencil. With that being said, there are other variations of this stencil that have been seen in different areas of the war. The 1942 Ford GPW that I am restoring will represent a Jeep assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, Charlie Company and am restoring her with the details and equipment that would have been available during the Normandy Campaign within the first few weeks of the invasion.
Thanks,
Van
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"If the DUKW was introduced in 1944 it would have been called a FUKW."
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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Saddle Tramp » Tue Jan 28, 2014 11:40 am

Your eye sight is much better than mine!!

Thanks very much for the info, my stencil is on order

Thanks

Tim

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by seacon » Sat Feb 01, 2014 1:02 pm

The gas can on this super accessorized M8 is definitely of the painted top family. Not red, though!
ciao
m
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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by gerrykan » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:44 pm

Probably painted white.
It has the large water can lid and also has a W (water) painted on the side.

Unrelated to this topic, the jeep at the top of the photo is sporting a bridge plate.
Roy

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Hammerhead » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:58 pm

Quest Master, GREAT looking restored cans! Will look outstanding with your restored jeep. Please post a picture of your display with the jeep and cans when you do it.
1943 White M-3 Halftrack, 1944 CCKW 353, 1945 MB, 1944 Bantam T3,
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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Saddle Tramp » Sat Feb 01, 2014 9:57 pm

gerrykan wrote:Probably painted white.
It has the large water can lid and also has a W (water) painted on the side.

Unrelated to this topic, the jeep at the top of the photo is sporting a bridge plate.
I don`t want to hijack this thread, but why the comment about the bridge plate on the jeep?

I should be picking my stencil up today for my cans

Cheers

Tim

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by seacon » Sat Feb 01, 2014 10:58 pm

Saddle,
there has been a debate on bridge plates on jeep. Most of the vehicles operating in Italy had them or had the info stenciled somewhere on the body (jeeps often had them on the windshield).

The jerry can above is definitely an early water can.
ciao
m

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by lucakiki » Sun Feb 02, 2014 10:53 pm

Yes, the old debate was about bridge plates being, according to Bob N., uncommon on U.S. Army vehicles: is definitely not true.

Noteworthy the bridge plate painted on the M8
Luca

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by gerrykan » Sun Feb 09, 2014 1:14 pm

Here is another can with triangles.

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The can was not upright when the triangle was painted, as you can see a run to the lower right.

There is a triangle under the red paint near the bottom. I wasn't brave enough to try and expose it.
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Hard to see in the photo,.
WARNING
CHEMICAL ONLY
DO NOT REUSE FOR GASOLINE

A previous owner did not heed the advice printed on the can, as the interior smells of gasoline.

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1942 Rheem
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Roy

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by gerrykan » Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:31 am

Found on craigslist.
Is this a footlocker re-purposed for helmet liner storage?

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The green triangle appears to be painted after the black information at the top was applied.
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Source: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/clt/4381755200.html
Roy

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Quest Master » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:37 am

Roy,
That is a really cool box. I like the description in the ad "Will deliver withing 15 minutes...and $10 for each additional 10 minutes". Hahaha. Neat box, but not $150 neat for me. I have quite a few of the "corner" marked crates: http://www.questmasters.us/Crates.html
I'm always looking for more, but that footlocker is a bit over priced IMHO. I just picked up a cardboard shipping box (not pictured on the page yet) for rifle cleaner with yellow corner markings.
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

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Benleroy » Mon May 05, 2014 2:37 am

Hi'

here's a little contribution.
I was seeking after TQM codes on jerrycans and i've found this: http://mayenne-ww2.forumactif.org/t2009 ... s-colorees

The guy found this original marking after cleaning the jerry. It seems that's turquoise blue.

Image

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by horrocks » Sat May 31, 2014 3:54 am

Van, could I ask which font you use on MS Word for the stencils.

I have tried several, none of them have looked right.
Toby

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Re: U.S. WWII Normandy Gas Can Restoration - w/ pics

Post by Quest Master » Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:38 am

horrocks wrote:Van, could I ask which font you use on MS Word for the stencils.

I have tried several, none of them have looked right.
Off the top of my head....I can't remember. But, I normally use Arial, Arial Bold or Times New in my restoration stencils. Pretty sure I used Arial Bold on this one.
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


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