Rubicon Models

Rubicon Models => General Discussions => Topic started by: Tony1955 on April 29, 2019, 11:08:00 pm

Title: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Tony1955 on April 29, 2019, 11:08:00 pm

Just put together the LVT(A)-4. Theres a lovely load of decals with the kit, but where the hell do they all  go?

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Rubicon Models on April 29, 2019, 11:20:45 pm

This is a good place to start...
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/US/LVT-4_Water_Buffalo.php

Will try to post more references later!
;)

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: ripley on April 30, 2019, 01:16:43 am

It might help if we knew which army ( US , UK , USSR ) and unit you were thinking of modelling .

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Tony1955 on April 30, 2019, 04:24:51 am

Im doing a USMC version

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: ripley on April 30, 2019, 04:37:34 am

Do you have a specific  battle or island invasion  on which you wish to base the model , or just generic USMC ?
Bison decals has a few sets ( 1/72 & 1/35 ) that show the placement of various markings .  Model builders on Track - Link , Missing Lynx and Armorama use these decals all the time , so I would take the info given as pretty reliable
(https://i.postimg.cc/5HQSTjPW/bis35187.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5HQSTjPW)

(https://i.postimg.cc/WFM6pCL9/B351863.gif) (https://postimg.cc/WFM6pCL9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/4m4MMbpC/s-l1000.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/4m4MMbpC)

(https://i.postimg.cc/23rXbFcq/B351862.gif) (https://postimg.cc/23rXbFcq) 

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Tony1955 on May 01, 2019, 05:21:12 am

I intend to do one for Tarawa

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: EarlyWarGamer on May 01, 2019, 08:44:18 am

Hey Tony.  The LVT (A)-4 was not used on Tarawa.

These were the only LVTs used on Tarawa (Nov 1943):
LVT-1
LVT-2

First use date for other LVT models:
LVT-3 was only ever used on Okinawa (Apr 1945)
LVT-4 was first used on Saipan (Jun 1944)
LVT(A)-1 was first used on Kwajalein (Feb 1944)
LVT(A)-2 was first used on New Britain (Dec 1943)
LVT(A)-4 was first used on Saipan (Jun 1944)

Steve

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Tony1955 on May 01, 2019, 07:25:51 pm

Hi Steve,
Thanks for the info. As Ive already built the LVT as an LVT(A)-4 I'd better make it accurate, Id better go for Saipan then.
regards
Tony

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Tony1955 on May 03, 2019, 09:20:30 pm

Were LVT(A)-4s ever painted just grey?

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: ripley on May 03, 2019, 10:43:56 pm

IRC the ones assigned to the Navy were grey/ gray , the USMC ones green & camo

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: Pinky on May 04, 2019, 12:16:33 pm

Quote from: ripley on May 03, 2019, 10:43:56 pm

IRC the ones assigned to the Navy were grey/ gray , the USMC ones green & camo

No, that's not correct.  All amtracs and amtanks were initially painted Ocean Grey.  However, this faded to a light blue and both the Army and Marines complained about it being too conspicuous once the vehicles were ashore. As a result, from May 1944 existing vehicles began to be repainted in Olive Drab and new vehicles were painted this colour in the factory.  In the interim, some units painted camo over the Ocean Grey (usually a sand colour).

LVT(A)-4s on Saipan were painted Ocean Grey (i.e. they went into action before the switchover to OD).  Army vehicles had quite prominent white stars, but Marine vehicles didn't. 

This is from Zaloga and Balin "US Amtracs and Amphibians at War 1941-45".

Title: Re: LVT(A)-4
Post by: ripley on May 04, 2019, 08:20:42 pm

Good to have someone with the correct answer ,Pinky .  I knew I shouldn't of based my answer on Italeri paint diagrams and John Wayne movies    lol