Nicknamed « Alligator » the LVTs proved to be ideally suited to operations in Indochina, particularly in delta regions. They provided waterborne transport in deep water and good mobility on the murky soil of rice-paddies and riverbanks. They were formed into amphibious units comprised of machine-gun armed Crabs (M29 Weasel), LVT4 Alligator armed of machine-guns, recoilless gun, mortar and even 40mm Bofor gun and LVT(A)4 armed with a 75mm howitzer in open turret. Most of the vehicles also received add-on armor and shields as the basic armoring was very light. Nevertheless the protection from the flanks and rear remained poor.
A LVT troop was normally constitued, under the command of a Captain, of 10 vehicles, with 1 for the command, 6 for transport, 2 LVT(A)4 with howitzer and 1 for recovery equipped with towing material. Each of the 6 transport vehicles was able to carry half a platoon, namely 15 men in addition to his crew of 6.
Below some LVT(A)4 with 75mm howitzer
and some with 40mm Bofor gun
I have made few additions to the very nice Warlord model, mostly giving it more firepower and adapting some figures to give life to the vehicle.
And now on to the painting...
Very interesting
ReplyDeleteI am so looking forward to seeing this thing painted!
ReplyDeleteVery cool (and well done)! I'm now going over to Warlord to order a couple of those for myself!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful you posted a picture of the inside of the Alligator. I like to model stowed supplies and equipment. That pic is invaluable for accuracy.
ReplyDeleteIt's also interesting to see the LvT A (4) crew wearing those white foreign legion caps and berets. I suspect they didn't wear them on patrols. It looks like they are staging in those photos. The guys out in country are wearing helmets.
Do you have source pictures for the command LvT 4 and the Recovery version. I can't find any on the Internet.
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