Early Type British 4 Gallon Petrol Tins Set

Set of early British 4-gallon jerrycans

Plastic model kit

Scale 1:16

unbuilt / unpainted

Paint and glue not included

The British 4-gallon fuel cans, known as "Flimsies," were widely used by the British Army and Commonwealth forces during World War II, but were intended only as emergency fuel containers. Made of very thin, stamped sheet steel, they were originally designed as inexpensive, disposable, or short-term receptacles due to wartime metal shortages. Their capacity was approximately 4 imperial gallons (around 18 liters). However, their poor construction made them highly susceptible to warping, leaks, and corrosion, quickly earning them the nickname "Flimsy" (meaning "fragile") in harsh field conditions.

Despite their shortcomings, they were used extensively in the North African campaign, particularly for supplying vehicles in vast desert areas. They were often reused multiple times, stacked, or transported in makeshift ways, which regularly resulted in fuel losses. The problems with the Flimsies were one of the reasons why the Allies later introduced more robust standard canisters such as the 5-gallon jerrycan, which was significantly more stable, stackable and permanently reusable.