Gecko Models 35GM0157 - 1:35 Early Type British 4 Gallon Petrol Tins Set Value Pack

1:35 scale plastic set of early-type British four-gallon petrol tins

Gecko Models 35GM0157 is a self-assembly set reproducing the early-type British four-gallon petrol tins known as "flimsies". Simple, lightweight and thin-walled, they were used in large numbers to transport fuel in the early years of the Second World War. The value-pack version contains a large number of tins, letting you fill a diorama or vehicle stowage effectively.

1:35 is the popular standard for armour modelling, so the set sits naturally alongside trucks, off-road vehicles and figures in this scale. The characteristic rectangular shape with its pressed ribs and handle is clearly reproduced.

What's in the box:

• Plastic parts with a large number of petrol tins (value pack)
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Kit specifications:

• Scale: 1:35
• Catalogue number: 35GM0157
• Manufacturer: Gecko Models
• Skill level: beginner

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly is very simple and suitable for beginners. When painting it is worth varying the individual tins – in reality they differed in wear, dirt and leak marks, so a uniform finish looks unnatural. Khaki, olive and sand tones are typical; rust, streaking and dust can be achieved with washes and pigments.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sandpaper for smoothing sprue-gate marks
• Plastic cement
• Brushes of various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• A wash and pigments for rust, streaking and dust effects

About the tins – British "flimsies":

The four-gallon petrol tins were nicknamed "flimsies" because of their thin, damage-prone construction. Leaks meant that a fair amount of fuel was lost in transit, yet these containers played a key logistical role, particularly during the fighting in North Africa. Once empty they were often discarded or reused, which made them a common sight at the front.

The problem of losses was ultimately solved by the introduction of the sturdier can modelled on the German "jerry can". The "flimsies" remain a characteristic detail of early scenes involving British and Commonwealth forces.

About the manufacturer – Gecko Models:

Gecko Models is a brand specialising in vehicles and accessories associated mainly with the British and Commonwealth armies of the Second World War. The company is known for finely detailed trucks, off-road vehicles, figures and numerous diorama accessory sets. Gecko Models kits are valued for their attention to detail and for subjects less commonly offered by other manufacturers.