In Box Review of Trakz 1/35th Scale LVTA2 Detail Set
Kit no. TX-0070
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: Unknown (at least 20 years ago)
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright: Unknown (at least 20 years ago)
HISTORY:
LVT 2 Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Unarmored (Mark II).
The new LVT, named the Water Buffalo, proved very successful and was judged superior when compared to other vehicles. The Water Buffalo's success led to a multi-million dollar contract from the US Marine Corps. FMC built more than 11,000 amphibious landing vehicles, which contributed significantly to the successful completion of the war in the Pacific.
LVT 2's cab was placed a small distance from the bow, and the cab had two windows for the crew. LVT 2, known as Water Buffalo, had a cargo capacity of 5940 lbs (2690kg), and incorporated torsilastic suspension. This suspension involved springing the road wheels on rubber springs.
The track of LVT 2 was made up of two chains, each with a pitch of 4" (10cm), which were attached to each other by steel crossbars and the large propellor-like grousers. LVT 2 also used the engine and transmission of the gasoline-powered light tank M3.
The second generation LVT 2 was developed in 1941 and was in production from 1942 to 1945. The LVT-2 was the basic design for a series of vehicles used during WWII. This family of vehicles included the LVTA1, LVTA2, LVT 4, LVTA4, and LVTA5. A few of the LVTA5s were modified in 1949 and continued in service until the mid 1950s.
These vehicles were powered with 7-cylinder radial aircraft engines built by Continental Motors. These engines developed 220hp, their service life was very short. Major overhaul was scheduled for 100 hours, however few ever lasted that long.
The transmission was a 5 speed, manual shift SPICER that incorporated a manually operated steer differential. This transmission had been developed for the M-3 light tank. As a result, the transmission was too-narrow for the LVT. This problem was overcome by using four final drives.
The internal finals were bolted to the transmission/differential gear case and supported by two mounting yokes. The external final drives were bolted to the hull and powered the drive sprockets.
This generation of LVTs was used through the Okinawa campaign in 1945.
Quantity procurement of LVTs did not halt further development of amphibian tractors. By October 1941, the prototype of LVT’s had put in an appearance, but volume production of the new model was delayed by the entry of the United States into the war.
The cargo space of 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalions' standard LVT(1) Alligator could hold 4,500 pounds, and that of the few newer, larger LVT Buffaloes could contain 6,500 pounds. The LVT’s had only power-driven bilge pumps. When the gasoline supply was exhausted, these failed, and the unfortunate vehicle usually foundered.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: Continental Model W670-9A
No. Cylinders: 7
Speed (land): 20 mph, (water): 7.5 mph
H.P.: 250
Cruising Range: (land) 150 miles, (water) 100 miles
Fuel Capacity: 140 gal
Transmission: Spicer
Gear Configuration: 5 fwd - 1 rev
Weight (empty): 24,250 lbs, (loaded): 30,250 lbs
Length: 26' 2"
Width: 10' 8"
Height: 8' 2"
Hull Thickness: 14 gauge
Track Shoes: 73
Track Adjustment: By Idler and sprocket
Bogie Wheels: 11
Return Rollers: 2
Suspension: Torsilastic
Armor: Bolt-on
Armament: Machine Guns, 30 cal.
Crew: 2 - 7
Ramp: No
Manufacturer: Food Machinery Corp., San Jose, Ca., Food Machinery Corp., Lakeland, Fla., Food Machinery Corp., Riverside, Ca., Graham-Paige Motor Corp., Detroit, MI., Ingersoll Steel & Disc Division -Borg-Warner Corp., Kalamazoo, MI., St. Louis Car Co., St. Louis, Mo.
Total Manufactured: 2,963
MAJOR CAMPAIGNS THAT THE LVT-2 "WATER BUFFALO" PARTICIPATED IN:
TARAWA: D-Day 20 November 1943, Unit Involved: 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (50) LVT-2s
CAPE GLOUCESTER: D-Day 26 December 1943, Unit Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (21) LVT-2s
ROI-NAMUR Northern Kwajalein Atoll: D-Day 31 January 1944, Units Involved: 4th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (100) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (144) LVT-2s.
SAIPAN: D-Day 15 June 1944, Units Involved: 708th Amphibian Tank Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (3) LVT-2s, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (85) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (144) LVT-2s, 534th Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (35) LVT-2s, 715th Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (67) LVT-2s, 773rd Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (98) LVT-2s.
GUAM: D-Day 21 July 1944, Units Involved: 1st Armored Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (8) LVT-2s, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (193) LVT-2s, 4th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (180) LVT-2s.
TINIAN: D-Day 24 July 1944, Units Involved: 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced) comprised of (96) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced) comprised of LVT-2s, 534th Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced), U.S. Army, comprised of LVT-2s, 773rd Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced), U.S. Army, comprised of LVT-2s.
PELELIU: D-Day 15 September 1944, Units Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (120) LVT-2s, 3rd Armored Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of LVT-2s, 6th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (80) LVT-2s, 8th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of LVT-2s.
IWO JIMA: D-Day 19 February 1945, Units Involved: 3rd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (90) LVT-2s, 5th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (94) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (94) LVT-2s, 11th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (93) LVT-2s.
OKINAWA: D-Day 01 April 1945, Unit Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (11) LVT-2s.
LVT 2 Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Unarmored (Mark II).
The new LVT, named the Water Buffalo, proved very successful and was judged superior when compared to other vehicles. The Water Buffalo's success led to a multi-million dollar contract from the US Marine Corps. FMC built more than 11,000 amphibious landing vehicles, which contributed significantly to the successful completion of the war in the Pacific.
LVT 2's cab was placed a small distance from the bow, and the cab had two windows for the crew. LVT 2, known as Water Buffalo, had a cargo capacity of 5940 lbs (2690kg), and incorporated torsilastic suspension. This suspension involved springing the road wheels on rubber springs.
The track of LVT 2 was made up of two chains, each with a pitch of 4" (10cm), which were attached to each other by steel crossbars and the large propellor-like grousers. LVT 2 also used the engine and transmission of the gasoline-powered light tank M3.
The second generation LVT 2 was developed in 1941 and was in production from 1942 to 1945. The LVT-2 was the basic design for a series of vehicles used during WWII. This family of vehicles included the LVTA1, LVTA2, LVT 4, LVTA4, and LVTA5. A few of the LVTA5s were modified in 1949 and continued in service until the mid 1950s.
These vehicles were powered with 7-cylinder radial aircraft engines built by Continental Motors. These engines developed 220hp, their service life was very short. Major overhaul was scheduled for 100 hours, however few ever lasted that long.
The transmission was a 5 speed, manual shift SPICER that incorporated a manually operated steer differential. This transmission had been developed for the M-3 light tank. As a result, the transmission was too-narrow for the LVT. This problem was overcome by using four final drives.
The internal finals were bolted to the transmission/differential gear case and supported by two mounting yokes. The external final drives were bolted to the hull and powered the drive sprockets.
This generation of LVTs was used through the Okinawa campaign in 1945.
Quantity procurement of LVTs did not halt further development of amphibian tractors. By October 1941, the prototype of LVT’s had put in an appearance, but volume production of the new model was delayed by the entry of the United States into the war.
The cargo space of 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalions' standard LVT(1) Alligator could hold 4,500 pounds, and that of the few newer, larger LVT Buffaloes could contain 6,500 pounds. The LVT’s had only power-driven bilge pumps. When the gasoline supply was exhausted, these failed, and the unfortunate vehicle usually foundered.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: Continental Model W670-9A
No. Cylinders: 7
Speed (land): 20 mph, (water): 7.5 mph
H.P.: 250
Cruising Range: (land) 150 miles, (water) 100 miles
Fuel Capacity: 140 gal
Transmission: Spicer
Gear Configuration: 5 fwd - 1 rev
Weight (empty): 24,250 lbs, (loaded): 30,250 lbs
Length: 26' 2"
Width: 10' 8"
Height: 8' 2"
Hull Thickness: 14 gauge
Track Shoes: 73
Track Adjustment: By Idler and sprocket
Bogie Wheels: 11
Return Rollers: 2
Suspension: Torsilastic
Armor: Bolt-on
Armament: Machine Guns, 30 cal.
Crew: 2 - 7
Ramp: No
Manufacturer: Food Machinery Corp., San Jose, Ca., Food Machinery Corp., Lakeland, Fla., Food Machinery Corp., Riverside, Ca., Graham-Paige Motor Corp., Detroit, MI., Ingersoll Steel & Disc Division -Borg-Warner Corp., Kalamazoo, MI., St. Louis Car Co., St. Louis, Mo.
Total Manufactured: 2,963
MAJOR CAMPAIGNS THAT THE LVT-2 "WATER BUFFALO" PARTICIPATED IN:
TARAWA: D-Day 20 November 1943, Unit Involved: 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (50) LVT-2s
CAPE GLOUCESTER: D-Day 26 December 1943, Unit Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (21) LVT-2s
ROI-NAMUR Northern Kwajalein Atoll: D-Day 31 January 1944, Units Involved: 4th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (100) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (144) LVT-2s.
SAIPAN: D-Day 15 June 1944, Units Involved: 708th Amphibian Tank Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (3) LVT-2s, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (85) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (144) LVT-2s, 534th Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (35) LVT-2s, 715th Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (67) LVT-2s, 773rd Amphibian Tractor Bn, U.S. Army, comprised of (98) LVT-2s.
GUAM: D-Day 21 July 1944, Units Involved: 1st Armored Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (8) LVT-2s, 3rd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (193) LVT-2s, 4th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (180) LVT-2s.
TINIAN: D-Day 24 July 1944, Units Involved: 2nd Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced) comprised of (96) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced) comprised of LVT-2s, 534th Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced), U.S. Army, comprised of LVT-2s, 773rd Amphibian Tractor Bn (reinforced), U.S. Army, comprised of LVT-2s.
PELELIU: D-Day 15 September 1944, Units Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (120) LVT-2s, 3rd Armored Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of LVT-2s, 6th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (80) LVT-2s, 8th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of LVT-2s.
IWO JIMA: D-Day 19 February 1945, Units Involved: 3rd Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (90) LVT-2s, 5th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (94) LVT-2s, 10th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (94) LVT-2s, 11th Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (93) LVT-2s.
OKINAWA: D-Day 01 April 1945, Unit Involved: 1st Amphibian Tractor Bn comprised of (11) LVT-2s.
THE KIT:
Trakz Armor Products is a model company is based in Perth, Australia. They make many resin model kits. I have only a few kits by this company and I think I got them from an Australian pen pal years ago. I have 2 of this kit by them, released at different dates: Kits no. TX 0070 & TX 0071.
Both kits are shrink-wrapped into end-opening type boxes. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end-flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
Trakz Armor Products is a model company is based in Perth, Australia. They make many resin model kits. I have only a few kits by this company and I think I got them from an Australian pen pal years ago. I have 2 of this kit by them, released at different dates: Kits no. TX 0070 & TX 0071.
Both kits are shrink-wrapped into end-opening type boxes. I am no fan of this type of box, because invariably parts or the decal sheet will find their way past one of the end-flaps of the box to become lost forever. Give me a tray and lid type box any day of the week.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
Both releases of the kit come in blousy, black, end-opening type boxes, that have a large and small color photos of the parts, that are unpainted and sitting on a workbench.
Kit no. TX 0070 holds 15 chalk-white resin part trees in a zip-locked clear cello bag and the instructions.
Parts consist of 2 gun shields, 2 parts that are holding 4 sandbags each, a tree holding just 2 sandbags, 2 gun support stands, a rolled canvas tarp, a tool box, 2 wall sections, an acetylene tank, with spraying cone (that is missing off the part), 2 small head-light housings and a side beam. (20 parts) and the instruction sheet.
Both releases of the kit come in blousy, black, end-opening type boxes, that have a large and small color photos of the parts, that are unpainted and sitting on a workbench.
Kit no. TX 0070 holds 15 chalk-white resin part trees in a zip-locked clear cello bag and the instructions.
Parts consist of 2 gun shields, 2 parts that are holding 4 sandbags each, a tree holding just 2 sandbags, 2 gun support stands, a rolled canvas tarp, a tool box, 2 wall sections, an acetylene tank, with spraying cone (that is missing off the part), 2 small head-light housings and a side beam. (20 parts) and the instruction sheet.
The instructions consists of a single-sheet printed on one side. In 4 ¾” x 6” format, folded in half to fit the box. It gives assembly instructions in text.
The kit no. TX-0071 holds the same parts, except for the sandbags only consisting of two trees of 3 each. (15 parts)
Detail is excellent.
Recommended.
Detail is excellent.
Recommended.