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LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)

LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
includes two LVT-4 Water Buffalo with passengers & .30 cal, .50 cal or 20mm Polsten MG options.

The Landing Vehicle Tracked or LVT was an amphibious landing craft that first saw service during World War Two with the several different branches of the United States military. The LVT began life as a transport vehicle originally intended to bring supplies ashore, however, its potential as an amphibious assault vehicle was quickly realised.

Check out the LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) in store here...
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
The LVT first saw action as an assault in the Pacific during the landings on Tarawa where they were able to ferry troops ashore despite the coral reef and shallows the LCVP were not able to negotiate. However, a large portion of the vehicles involved in the action were lost and it was concluded that the LVT was too lightly armoured therefore armour kits were soon issued to vehicles that would participate in any form of opposed landings.

Although strongly associated with the fighting in the Pacific, the LVT also served the Allied armies during the campaign in Europe. Taking part in the fighting the clear the Scheldt estuary in the later stages of 1944 and numerous other river crossing operations up until the end of the conflict in Europe.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
The LVT-4 was by far the most abundant version of the vehicle product, with 8351 vehicles delivered by the end of the war. Most were destined for service with US forces but several hundred were shipped to the United Kingdom as part of the Lend-Lease agreement.  Many of the British versions of the LVT-4 were armed with a Polsten 20mm anti-aircraft gun and two .30 cal Browning machine guns. The LVT-4 featured a large ramp door at the rear of the vehicle, this greatly improve the ability to offload cargo whether it be men or supplies vital to the Allied war machine.

Vehicle designed by Tim Adcock
Crew & Passengers designed by Evan Allen
Painted by James Brown & Chris Townley
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Contents of the LVT-4 Water Buffalo Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Description of Components
a. 2x Hull machine-guns.
b. 4x .30 cal machine-guns.
c. 6x .50 cal AA machine-guns.
d. 2x 20mm Polsten machine-guns.
e. 2x Passenger figures with Bren gun.
f. 2x Passenger figures with rifle.
g. 2x Passenger figures with SMG.
h. 2x Passenger figures with rifle.
i. 6x Gunner figures.
j. 2x Right-hand side tracks.
k. 2x Left-hand side tracks.
l. 2x Resin LVT-4 hulls.
Assembling the LVT-4 Water Buffalo
Step 1. Begin assembly of the LVT-4 by attaching the tracks to the sides of the hull. Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Tip: When referring to left or right-hand side in regards to a Flames Of War miniature, the orientation is determined as if looking at the vehicle from the rear.
Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull. Step 2. Next, attach the hull machine-gun to the front of the hull.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Step 3. Attach any additional machine-guns to the hull.
Below: Adding the .50 cal AA machines guns.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Below: Adding the .30 cal machine-guns.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Below: Adding the 20mm Polsten machine-gun. Step 4. Add any gunner figures that might be required.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Below: The gunner figure manning the different machine-gun positions.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Adding Passengers
Below: To securely attach the passenger figures to the inside of the hull, pin them using the figure tab. Step 1. With a pair of side cutters, cut the tab away from one of the figure's feet.

Tip: When deciding which foot to use when creating the pin, select the side with the most contact with the tab.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Step 2. Cut away the rest of the tab leaving a small amount of metal at the base of the figure's foot. Step 3. Use a file to refine the shape so it will fit into the holes that will be drilled inside the hull.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Below: Our figure with the completed pin. Below: All the of passenger figures with their completed pins. Step 4. Next, drill the holes inside of the hull where you intend to place the figures.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Step 5: With a small amount of hobby glue added to the pin and the opposite foot of each figure, secure the passengers to the inside of the hull.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)
Below: More passengers safely secured inside the hull. Below: With the passengers secured inside the LVT-4, our miniature is now ready for painting.
LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26) LVT-4 Water Buffalo (BBX26)

 

 


Last Updated On Friday, November 4, 2022