Flimsy Can / Jerry Can mounts / use

[Ron Pier]

I can't say I've ever noticed a vehicle mount for the 'Flimsy' Usually the cans were delivered by trucks to vehicle depots etc where tanks and 2 gall cans would be topped up. I guess extra fuel flimsy's would be carried inside a vehicle.

I've heard tales that cans would puncture so easily that the average loss rate of fuel was something like 1% per 10 miles (I might not have remembered the figures correctly?)

The Jerry can, as the name implies, was a German invention, which we stole and copied after capturing a desert fuel dump in North Africa. (spoils of war) and again if I can remember correctly, no British Jerry cans are dated before 1942.

Here pics of my 1942 dated Flimsy! Ron

[tankbarrell]

That is a proper flimsy. There was an improved version, much thicker with a screw cap but still 4 gallon. The only vehicle racks I have seen are for the 2 gallon POL can, often incorrectly called a flimsy today.

Is that what you are referring to Robin?

[Ron Pier]

Some additional pictures. It seems that some projection to the Flimsy was to put them in wooden crates. Ron

[Ron Pier]

The other end of the row of Flimsy's left rotting in the desert. I'd like to know the story of what they are pointing to or at. Ron

[rob love]

Attached is a photo of 3 of the later 4 gallon cans with "normal" brass caps as well as a vent cap. These are in the collection of the RCA museum.

One has to ask: How did they get the petrol into the flimsy, then seal it? If the pull tab is soldered, one would think that operation could be dangerous around gasoline.

[Ron Pier]

I also have the heavyweight can that Adrian mentioned (1940 dated). Much thicker gauge steel and a screw cap. I don't think these were for fuel. More likely water, soup or other liquids.

Something I've pondered myself Rob. How indeed was the cap fixed on a Flimsy? I'm sure that our modern ring pulls are not soldered...are they? But modern technology doesn't compare with nearly 80 years ago. Someone did mention "electric soldering" So if the can was pre tinned and then molten solder put on the cap after the fuel was added.......Would that work? No H&S back then! Perhaps they were just pressed in? Ron

[Owen Evans]

Originally Posted by rob love

One has to ask: How did they get the petrol into the flimsy, then seal it? If the pull tab is soldered, one would think that could be dangerous around gasoline.

Maybe it's crimped on?

Rob,
Your pictures of the later 4 gallon cans is interesting. I have a british-made reusable 4 gallon can, marked BMB 1939 (Briggs Motor Bodies?), of identical construction to the attached photo.

I've not seen the type in your photos before, which seem to have the same construction method as the Canadian 2 gallon cans. Are there any markings or stampings on those 4 gallon ones?

Owen.

[rob love]

No markings on any of them. 2 appear to be NOS while the red one has been stripped and primed.

[Richard Farrant]

The photo from LIFE magazine in Ron's post shows the wood boxes that carry two flimsys, are marked '100 OCT' so must have been for aircraft fuel cans.

regards, Richard

[Owen Evans]

The attached may be of interest. By 'returnable', I assume they mean the 4 gallon can with the screw cap?

[Ed Storey]

The 4-gallon petrol tins with the corner tabs were classed a non-returnable tin.

Royal Army Service Corps Training Pamphlet No. 8 - Part II Petrol Organization in the Line of Communication Area - 1943

Petrol tin factory operating company. The company consists of a headquarters and two operating sections, each section being divided into four sub-sections, three dealing respectively with the manufacture, filling, and inspection of non-returnable tins, the fourth with the maintenance of the technical equipment. The company has four Pioneer Corps sections and a fire-fighting section attached.

The function of this company is the manufacture and filling of non-returnable tins. It is designed to manufacture and fill 5,000 to 6,000 tins per shift per single line of machines and to operate two 8-hour shifts per day.

This unit would normally be located within easy reach of storage tanks and requires good communications, and facilities for acceptance of supply of materials and for easy delivery of the finished packages.

It is equipped with machinery for carrying out the following functions:-
(a) Cutting and pressing tinplate and terneplate into tins of 4-gallon capacity.
(b) Mechanical soldering of seams.
(e) Pressure testing of the containers.
(d) Spray painting and quick drying.
(e) Filling four gallons of petrol into each finished container.
(f) Automatically .. expanding in" the sealing caps.

[Lang]

According to Philippe Leger in his excellent book "Jerrycan" ISBN 9782840482444

The British gathered German cans from the early French campaign because they realised the superiority of that container.

They sent some to USA and the Americans played with the design - one must ask why? - and US production began in 1941.

British production did not commence until 1942 despite the widely known failings and unacceptable fuel losses from the square flimseys.

Lang