LVT Project - British Crew & 20mm Polsten Gun 181121

[Rubicon Models]

This should have been the first of your LVT kits...

Before we start 3D drawings, we will go through all the variants and shortlisted all the common area before we go into the basic chassis design.  Some area had to be compromised to minimise part counts.  The LVT(A)1 and LVT(A)4 had a headstart because there are no interior and have better reference material on hand.  The LVT-4 is more complicated because most existed vehicles are from the Indochina era, not WW2.

I have some top-down photos - I'll see if they scan clearly enough to show the floor.

Thanks!  Most top-down photos we had are Indochina vehicles, not WW2!

[Pinky]

I haven't found an interior photo yet.  I'll keep looking.

The LVT-4 was produced in greater numbers than the other amtracs, but didn't see widespread service till 1945.  The LVT-2 saw more extensive service, and continued to serve alongside LVT-4s.

[Rubicon Models]

The LVT-4 was produced in greater numbers than the other amtracs, but didn't see widespread service till 1945.  The LVT-2 saw more extensive service, and continued to serve alongside LVT-4s.

Unfortunately, the LVT-2 had a different dimension (length-wise) than the other LVTs, making it not compatible with our set of common sprue(s).  Do not want to invest the extra moulds and $$$ to make a different variant as a separate product. 

[ripley]

Most photos I've found showing the interior are packed with troops or a vehicle , not that great for checking out the details  It does look like the LVT 4 had fold down bench seats ( sort of like those on the 2 1/2 ton truck ), Down for troops , folded up for cargo . Squadron / Signal have a couple of books in their In Action series  , Concord has one as well , might be an idea to track them down . Both series have great photos and diagrams on their subjects , usually easy to find and best of all , not expensive

[Pinky]

Unfortunately, the LVT-2 had a different dimension (length-wise) than the other LVTs, making it not compatible with our set of common sprue(s).  Do not want to invest the extra moulds and $$$ to make a different variant as a separate product. 

The LVT-2 was the same length as the LVT(A)-1, which was based on it - 26'1".

[Pinky]

I found this MM article with a lot of notes on building a WW2 era LVT-4:

http://www.militarymodelling.com/news/article/water-buffalo/3629#

[Rubicon Models]

@Pinky - had read that MM article. Thanks!

@ripley - we already have the books you posted.  The fold-down bench seat (to our best understanding) is from the Indochina era, not WW2... and were field upgrades too!

Will also look at the LVT-2 / LVT(A)2 after we finished the LVT-4 prototype.

[Pinky]

The folding wooden slat seats do seem to be a French addition.  They also raised the floor.

Here are some photos of the interior of unmodified (WW2-era) LVT-4s:

[ultravanillasmurf]

I assume you have had a look here (I have to admit to only just downloading it)
http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_LVTs.pdf

Not sure if anything is of use.

[ultravanillasmurf]

In the surviving LVT pdf there is a photograph of an LVT4 and a universal carrier (I think) at the ANZAC Memorial Museum.

[Rubicon Models]

I assume you have had a look here (I have to admit to only just downloading it)
http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_LVTs.pdf

Thanks, UVS... is a great photo reference for us to double check features. Appreciated!

[Pinky]

I see the LVT-4 got a big reception on the FB page.  Going to say I told you so!  Including the Polsten cannon would be a good idea. 

[Rubicon Models]

Thank you all for contributing to the details of the LVT-4 cargo bay.
After much search for photos and cross-references, we have finally
confirmed our speculation regarding the LVT-4 cargo bay details.
This is our best guess of what it should look like...



Enjoy!

[Pinky]

That does seem to be right.  I couldn't find a photo of the grating on the floor (presumably for draining water), so I can't tell if the pattern is correct.  Nor could I work out if those panels along the side walls are folding seats.  They seem too flimsy.

[Rubicon Models]

Nor could I work out if those panels along the side walls are folding seats.  They seem too flimsy.

Already confirmed the folding bench seats are of French origins during the Indochina war.  No worries.