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Products mentioned in this Article
--None--
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Gator's Amtracks – Marine Tank Company (USAB06)
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Gator's Amtracks (USAB06)
Marine Tank Company
Includes seven LVT Amphibian Tanks
The LVT(A)1 (37mm) and LVT(A)4 (75mm) gave the the Marines the ability to land tanks capable of knocking out Japanese defences at the same time as infantry.
Check out Gator's Amtracks in the online store here...
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Gung-Ho
The US Marine Corps has had a long and proud history, and the Pacific Campaign of 1941 to 1945 was perhaps its finest hour. They were the tip of the American spear, conducting amphibious assaults from Guadalcanal, through the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian and Guam, and ultimately taking the Japanese posessions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, in preparation to invade mainland Japan itself.
Learn more about Gung-Ho here...
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Amtracs (Amphibious Tractors) were initially designed to provide logistical support, bringing supplies and troops from off-shore onto and beyond the beaches. As the Pacific campaign progressed the ability of these Amtracs to cross coral reefs and shallow water lead Marine commanders to push for the experimental upgrade of these vehicles to include armour plate and machine-guns so that they could deliver troops onto the beach under enemy fire. They proved invaluable and soon the Marines were able to count on Amtracs to deliver troops whenever they would be facing an enemy on the beaches.
The next step was to add a modified M5A1 Stuart turret, creating the LVT(A)1 Amtank, and eventually an M8 Scott turret creating the LVT(A)4 Amtank. These tanks were able to land with the infantry in their traditional LVT Amtracs and provide fire support to suppress the defenders as they approached the beach, and the directly targeting enemy emplacements once on the shore.
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The Amtanks served with distinction from their first landings in February 1944 during the Marshall Islands campaign through to the end of the war and the invasion of Okinawa where 290 Amtanks and 872 Amtracs were involved in the landings. |
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LVT(A)1 (37mm) |
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The LVT(A)1 (37mm) in Flames of War
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Armour |
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Name |
Mobility |
Front |
Side |
Top |
Notes |
Weapon
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Range
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ROF
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Anti-tank
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Firepower |
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LVT(A)1 (37mm) |
Slow Tank |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Amphibious, Co-ax MG, Two side-mounted MG. |
M6 37mm gun |
24"/60cm
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2 |
7 |
4+
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Stabiliser. |
Firing Canister |
8"/20cm |
4 |
1 |
6 |
Canister. |
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LVT(A)4 (75mm) |
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The LVT(A)4 (75mm) in Flames of War
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Armour |
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Name |
Mobility |
Front |
Side |
Top |
Notes |
Weapon
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Range
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ROF
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Anti-tank
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Firepower |
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LVT(A)4 (75mm) |
Slow Tank |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Amphibious, .50 cal AA MG. |
M1A1 75mm howitzer |
16"/40cm
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2 |
6 |
3+
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Smoke. |
Firing bombardments |
64"/160cm |
- |
3 |
6 |
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Gator's Amtracks Contents |
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a. 7x 37mm gun barrels.
b. 7x .50-cal AA machine-guns.
c. 7x LVT(A)4 (75mm) drop-in hull tops.
d. 7x LVT(A)1 (37mm) drop-in hull tops.
e. 7x LVT Amtank hull. |
f. 7x LVT hull machine-guns.
g. 7x LVT(A)4 (75mm) crew sets.
h. 14x LVT(A)1 (37mm) machine-gun turrets.
i. 7x LVT(A)1 (37mm) turrets.
j. 7x LVT(A)4 (75mm) turrets. |
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Assembling the Gator's Amtracks |
There are two different assembly options for the Gators Amtracks Tank Company. The LVT(A)1 (37mm) and the LVT(A)4 (75mm). The hull is the same for both varients, the only difference are the drop-in hull tops. First I will show you how to assemble the hull, then the LVT(A)1 (37mm) and I'll finish off with the LVT(A)4 (75mm). |
Assembling the Hull |
Step 1. Begin (and finish) assembly by glueing the hull machine-gun to the front of the hull. |
Below: Finished LVT hull. |
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Assembling the LVT(A)1 Varient |
Step 1. Begin the LVT(A)1 by glueing the 37mm barrel into the LVT(A)1 turret as shown below. |
Step 2. Next place the finished turret into the LVT(A)1 drop-in hull top. |
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Step 3. Place or glue the machine-gun turrets into the LVT(A)1 drop-in hull top. |
Below: Machine-gun turrets placed into the LVT(A)1 hull top. |
Step 4. Place the hull top into the hull. We suggest not glueing the hull-tops into the hull as you may want to swap between the LVT(A)1 and the LVT(A)4. |
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Below: Assembled LVT(A)1 (37mm). |
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Assembling the LVT(A)4 Varient |
Step 1. Begin the LVT(A)4 by glueing the .50cal AA MG into the LVT(A)4 turret. There is a small lip on the MG that should go over the circle located at the rear of the turret to ensure proper positioning. |
Step 3. Next glue the crew into the turret as shown below. You can also use the third crewman to put behind the .50cal AA MG. |
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Step 3. Then place the LVT(A)4 turret into the drop-in hull top. |
Step 3. To finish, place the LVT(A)4 hull top into the hull. We suggest not glueing the hull-tops into the hull as you may want to swap between the LVT(A)1 and the LVT(A)4. |
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Below: Assembled LVT(A)4 (75mm). |
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Happy modelling!
~ George
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Last Updated On Monday, May 9, 2016 by James at Battlefront
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