lclynne0874

Yes worms all over the place now! There was a very long thread some years ago & lots of merriment from two people who don't come on the forum any more. To save wading through all that I have teased out the documentary basis for the colour debate.

 

It is traditionally believed that post-war water jerricans should be black with some of the detail picked out in white. However studying consecutive Regulations show that this colour scheme was perhaps not always appropriate.

 

Most jerricans I have seen have been ones restored in black or actually have the original paint that was black or seemingly appear black in black & white photographs. But I present the documents for you to decide.

 

Regulations for the Army 1947 Pamphlet No.3 Supply of Equipment. Army Code No.1804

 

 

There were no amendments & the consecutive document states the same.

Equipment Regulations 1955 Pamphlet No.2 Supply of Equipment Army Code No.10835

 

 

There were amendments to the 1955 document in 1961 & were incorporated in to the new Regulations which now stated black was to be used.

Equipment Regulations Pamphlet No.2 (1961) Supply of Equipment Army Code No.13104

 

 

As these documents were consecutive I took it to mean that the change from brown to black was authorised in 1961. However it has been pointed out that this is contradicted by this.

 

Equipment Regulations Pamphlet No.9 (1959) Marking & Painting of Vehicles, Army Aircraft & Equipment. Army Code No.12473

 

 

However this document is not relevant to the argument. Firstly it appears to be describing jerricans for fuel, as they are to be painted Olive drab or Light stone there is no mention of water jerricans. Secondly the reference at the bottom of the page to “Paint, finishing, G.S., gloss, brushing, Black” is actually related to the left hand column which is referring to “4(E) P.O.L. tanks & pipes (iv) ladders & platforms”.

 

Yes I know that there will be people who will say that Regulations are only there to be broken. Clearly they have been! But I am surprised that a few brown one's haven't as yet cropped up.

 

So anyone tempted to go brown? I’m not necessarily suggesting you should, but there are the documents, you decide!

Hi all, I know it's been a while since anyone added anything more to this thread, but I have recently picked up a metal water can from a local auction.

The can is dated 1954 and I assume that it has its original BLACK paint.

Whilst cleaning it up I found RAF and 21C/2879 stencilled on one side, there is evidence of the indentations painted white (sprayed not brushed) and white markings under the handles, again sprayed on.

The black paint only has a layer of red oxide primer under it so I assume that unless there was a refurbishment programme for Jerricans that this was originally supplied in BLACK.

Just another curio to stir the mind

Regards

Having been introduced to the world of military vehicles by the other half I have now got my own Ferret and 101 Land Rover. The novelty of stripping down vehicles in the cold and wet still hasnt worn off yet so hoping to add to the collection when I have a garden/garage large enough to keep a tank!

Lynne