Tamiya 1/48 Jerry Can Set First Look

By Cookie Sewell

First Look

In 1973 Bandai launched a bold new approach to the world armor modeling market with a complete set of armored vehicles and accessories - with each vehicle coming with a crew of three to eight figures as well – that was well received but quickly died out due to a lack of ability to compete with 1/35 or 1/76 scale kits. While they are still around - and still nicely done and very buildable after nearly 40 years – they mistimed their release.

About six or seven years ago Tamiya charged back into the market with a new approach to 1/48 scale armor, and have been joined by Hobby Boss and other Chinese companies in providing new mold kits. While those from Tamiya are in many cases pantographed down from their 1/35 scale line, they do look the part in quarter-inch. While I have not picked any up until now, I decided to try a couple this afternoon at the IPMS Baltimore "Maraudercon" show.

The set provides a number of useful accessories for 1/48 scale aircraft or vehicle dioramas. These include: 12 55 gallon US and 12 200 liter German fuel drums (based on different end plates); 16 German style Jerry cans; 16 US style jerry cans; six ammo pouches; six field packs; six medical bags; and various canvas tarps and US-style barracks bags.

Each of the fuel drums comes in the normal four-part breakdown (sides and ends) but the German ones also have a central bung in the side which the US ones do not. Although small there are distinct differences between them, so kudos to Tamiya! All the jerry cans are in two parts with separate and very petite handle sets.

Directions show them added to both a Sherman and a StuG III as kit, but somehow I doubt many Germans would get their hands on US Army barracks bags!

Overall these are handy kits for anyone doing either vehicle or aircraft dioramas.

Sprue Layout:

• X 45x2 Jerry cans, 55 gallon drums, bucket, canvas, bags
• Y 47x2 Jerry cans, 55 gallon drums, packs, canvas