LVT(A)-1 crew + stowage questions

Modeling Subjects Armor
1

I’m currently building the Italeri 1/35 LVT(A)-1 “Alligator”, to represent a US vehicle in the Pacific theatre. The build is nearly finished (just needs final paintwork, decals and weathering) but I’d like to add some crew figures and stowage if possible. The kit doesn’t include any, but I have a spares box full of 1/35 WW2 stowage items, spare parts, crew figures etc., so I have a couple of questions:

  • Did these vehicles commonly carry external stowage?

  • What uniforms did the crew wear - were they the same as other US tank crewmen? I’ve seen photos with the crew wearing lifejackets, though I’d presume they didn’t wear these once they were on land.

2

The crews and the vehicles were not intended for long term shore duty. The Amtank was basically tank support to the invasion’s first wave. They would be replaced by Shermans and Stuarts in subsequent waves for inland support. The LVT series did not have a long life under environmental and wartime conditions.

3

Thanks for the help - looks like fairly light weathering and no stowage is the way to go.
I’d still like to add a crew figure or two though.

I have to say that I wasn’t sure how LVTs were employed in the WW2 Pacific campaign - I assumed that the armoured variants were used like modern LVTPs/AAVPs in acting as APCs or fire support vehicles one they were ashore.

4

I just came across a whole bunch of photos at the USNHC’s Photo Archive site. They are in the directories but have not been linked to the website.

This may begin to help answer your questions.

USNHC photo

Not a lot of spare freeboard here for duffles, fuel cans and boxes of rations

Note too the guy standing between the two Marines with packs. He’s wearing just a field jacket, no Mae West, although he may have an inflatable life belt under the jacket. Note too the green helmet, not camouflaged.

Another, no stowage

USNHC photo

Here is one of the few photos of an LVT I have seen operating away from the beach. I see no ammo crates - so its not hauling logistics, it is just doing what would come to be called Infantry Fighting Vehicle kinda stuff

USNHC photo

5

This guy has nice pictures of amtracs on his website: http://www.amtrac.org/

-Jesse

6

LVTs either carried all the necessary gear in the vehicle or the cargo compartment. This was simply due to the purpose of the vehicle. Surf does not treat external stowage well. The (A)-1 was used during landings and for holding beachheads. They were very large and not well suited for use inland on most SP islands. As far as weathering, depending on when you are depicting the subject, you have some choices. Seawater leaves a salty residue behind, sand and jungle foliage may be found on your vehicle, even some rust. LVTs were usually pretty fresh looking to start a landing, but like anything made of steel and driving through seawater, after action you’ll be able to find some rust. Most of the USMC Amtankers I have seen in photographs do not wear different gear than the standard M1 steel pot and P-41or44 HBT uniform(often without the jacket).