That's right all ye landlubbers.......like Britannia, Amtracs rule the waves. Your tank may be able to fight well on dry ground, but can it float worth a darn?

After almost 3 years, my LVT(A)-1 finally got a paint job. I built this model during the winter of 2008/2009 and it was first posted on this forum near the end of February, 2009. Actually, I didn't originally post it myself, forum member "kclank" posted photos of it and got me started on this forum. I thank him and all of the forum members for making my participation in this hobby a lot of fun and inspiration.

Sooooo, this model has been sitting on the shelf since then begging for paint. At first I was going to paint it an incredibly exciting shade of Navy gray. However, I always liked the paint scheme on the Amtracs the Marines used on Iwo Jima, and finally got in the mood to do that camo scheme. I don't know if any of this version of Amtracs were deployed on Iwo Jima, but I'm going to claim that it survived a previous island battle campaign and was reassigned to the 5th Marines for Iwo Jima, and got repainted.

I made the parts to kinda/sorta convert the (A)-1 into an LVT(A)-4 using the turret from my M8 Stuart, but the turret is the wrong color, has grousers on it, and sits too high, so I will have to make another turret. Another possible (but unlikely) conversion is an LVT(A)1/M24, if I steal the turret off of my Chaffee (or make another turret) and make a lot more conversion parts. That was a one shot experiment and many changes were made before the project got canceled at the end of the war.

The model floats properly (when ballasted correctly) and runs in water pretty good, it uses standard HL Panzer III tracks. I am thinking about making the tracks that have the W shape cupped tread, but that would be a pain.....I would need to make about 130 of those. That tread design would make it run faster in the water, but I don't think it would last long running in the dirt (see pic). A simple T shape would be an alternate track modification, but not a great solution either (see other pic). Building the track on my Char B1 bis kinda pooped me out on custom track building. The turret operates and a friend of mine built a sump pump for it so that it won't sink if it takes on water. I'm going to build a 4'x8' water tub in the yard and finally make a video of it running, along with my USMC DUKW.

I'll post some more photos later.


Semper Fi and Anchors Aweigh!

Rex

Oh SWEET. You should see GreenAmphibians LVT.

Another fine example of model building we now come to expect from you. You have an incredibe collection of armor that most of us can just dream about, as you have scratch built most of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

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Yes, I have seen it. He's the other guy on this forum who likes to get his feet wet.

As we used to say, YAT YAS! Good looking Amtrac there Rex. I have two myself and am working on a third. The Marines used all the versions of the Amtracs as they became  available. They didn't discard any of the old versions though and units were still using LVT 2's during the battle of Okinawa late in the war. You are correct that LVTa1's were used at Iwo Jima as were the LVTa4's.

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I was really hoping you would approve of my effort since you are the expert when it comes to Marine Amtracs. Thanks!

Your welcome Rex. Great job on the LVT.

Rex do you know the definition of an expert? In mathematics X is an unknown factor. In plumbing a spurt is a drip under pressure. Therefore an expert is an unknown drip under pressure.

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OK........How about "Resident Amtrac Historian Who Has Been There And Done That"........?

Here are a couple of pics I referred to in the first posting but was unable to post at the time.

Looks great! The grousers made out of plastic will not last long on any hard surface though. They look great and will move a lot more water than the stock tracks you are using. I used metal track and attached brass grousers to it. Yes it is one heck of a job and I am not looking forward to doing any more if I don't have to. They really do the trick on mine. I haven't had many problems with them either. I can live with historian. LOL

I made the parts to kinda/sorta convert the (A)-1 into an LVT(A)-4 using the turret from my M8 Stuart, but the turret is the wrong color, has grousers on it, and sits too high, so I will have to make another turret. Another possible (but unlikely) conversion is an LVT(A)1/M24, if I steal the turret off of my Chaffee (or make another turret) and make a lot more conversion parts. That was a one shot experiment and many changes were made before the project got canceled at the end of the war.
Rex

The one with the Chaffee turret is my favorite.

[quote]ORIGINAL: Panther G

The one with the Chaffee turret is my favorite.
[/quote

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Compared to the publication photo, my turret looks smaller....... I gotta do some measuring and figure out why....

?????

Rex, I think your right. The size does seem a bit smaller for some reason. Have you checked the measurements yet? Would that be an easier build/conversion to do than the M37 turret or the short 75 on the LVTa4? I only say this because I am thinking about doing an a4 after I get the LVTH6 done with the 105. I have been playing with a turret for it for 9 months now, or longer, and it is time for that baby to hatch.

Rex, I have looked back and forth between the pix of the real one and your build.  Only one thing missing...<div>
</div><div>You don't have a big white star.  That is the ONLY missing thing.</div><div>
</div><div>Another...      hmmm, I'm running out of creative complimentary metaphors for all your builds,  so how 'bout,  COOL DUDE!   Groovy man.  Way to go.</div>

+1, He really does great work doesn't he.

LMAO i know what you mean all his builds are OUTASIGHT and FAROUTMAN....lol

I (unfortunately) was not born in the time of that lingo. But your builds are amazing!

That is pretty great!! Beautiful work Rex!

Shep

Herman, you should post up some pics of your LVT's also. Both of you guys do excellent work.

OK, here are a couple of pictures of my amaturish attempts at scratch builds.

I saw them in person, remember. They are amaizing peices of craftsmanship.