Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT)

Image: LVT (44K)

After the 1935 Labor Day hurricane that hit Florida, John A. Roebling developed a hurricane rescue vehicle. He finished a prototype in 1937. The U.S. Marine Corps became interesting in the vehicles, after seeing it in the a 1937 issue of Life magainze.1 Roebling built an aluminum hulled prototype in 1939. In 1940 Roebling was contracted to build an all steel vehicle for the US Navy and US Marines. He worked with the Food Machinery and Chemical Corp to manufacture the vehicles he had named Alligator. 200 (3001) were ordered in November 1940. In July 1941 the first production model (LVT-1) was completed.

Donald Reeling introduced the Alligator in 1935 to be used in the Florida Everglades.4 This was followed by an improved version in 1940.4 The US Marine Corps ordered them with steel and a more powerful engine.4

The US Marine Corps adopted its improved version using mild steel armor at Tarawa in November 1943. 500 built. Manufactured by Food Machinery Co.

LVT-1:

USA's Landing Vehicle Tracked 1, LVT 1
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Could hold 24 men with packs and rifles or 4,500 pounds. Machine gun rails are provided on sides and rear. Arc welded sheet steel construction. Track was basically an unsprung track fixed the the hull. This worked well in water or soft ground but not hard ground. The driver's cab had 3 windows, the center could be opened for ventilation or used as an escape hatch.

Were first used at Guadalcanal in August 1942 and last used in beach assaults at Tarawa5 in November 1943.

LVT(A)(1):

USA's LVTA-1
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Had a M3 light tank turret mounted.1 Gun used a gyrostabilizer.1 Also had "manholes" at rear with .30 cal MGs installed.5 These were quite dangerous and were later removed.5 There were periscopes for the crew to see out.1 The engine was installed between the crew and the cargo compartment in the rear.1

When exiting the vehicle the passengers would have to go over the side as there were no doors in the back.1

The 37 mm gun fired a 1.9 lb shell at a muzzle velocity of 2,900'/sec.5

The Marines would replaced the 37 mm gun with the E7 flamethrower.

Many of these were used at Bougainville and New Georgia.

LVT(2):

USA's LVT-2
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Prototype called T24. In early 1942 the LVT-2 was introduced and produced at Food Machinery and Chemical Corps Riverside, California facility so it wouldn't interfere with LVT-1 construction.

Had new suspension with 11 bogie wheels per track which were sprung on Torsilastic rubber springs which improved track life and use on harder ground. Construction of sheet steel. Machine gun rails were mounted all around vehicle. Two escape/ventilation hatches in the front which open downward.

First used at Tarawa in November 1943. It was mostly used as a cargo carrier as it didn't have armor to protect passengers.

LVT(A)(2):

Similar to (2) but with armor plate. Called the "Water Buffalo". Carried 18 troops or a cargo of 5,900 lb1 (2,041 kg1). 450 built by Roebling and Ford.

LVT(4):

The (A)(2) modified with a ramp operated by a hand winch. The engine was placed behind the driver's cab. Carry 30 troops or light vehicles or field guns. First used at Saipan in mid 1944. Mount on each side for a .30 or .50 cal MG.

Used in Europe by US Army.

Britain received 500 via lend lease. Used them in Northern Italy and at the Rhine crossing in 1945.

LVT(A) 4:

USA's LVT(A)4
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Had open topped turret from M8 Motor Carriage.5 Late in 1943 some had the Canadian built Ronson flamethrower replacing the 75 mm gun. The Marines also tried mounting T45 (2 banks of 10 rockets)1 or T54 (20 183 mm rockets)1 rocket launchers on its side.1

The 75 mm howitzer fired a 18 lb HE shell at a muzzle velocity of 1,250'/sec.5

It was primarily used by US Army and Marines in the Pacific.

LVT(A) 5:

USA's LVTA 5
Aberdeen Tank Museum

Power traverse for turret. The turret was also covered.5 The 75 mm gun had a gyrostabilizer.5

The 75 mm howitzer fired a 18 lb HE shell at a muzzle velocity of 1,250'/sec.5

Didn't appear during war, but did in Korea.5

LVT, Buffalo:

British version of LVT 4. Had Polsten 20 mm and 2 .30 cal Browning MGs.

LVT 3 "Bushmaster":

Developed by Borg Warner Corporation similarly to the LVT 4. Engines were mounted in side sponson which allowed a loading ramp to be put in the rear which was raised and lowered by a hand-operated winch and had rubber seals around it. On board it carried wooden plugs to plug holes and some spare parts for on the spot repairs. Had improved hydraulic automatic transmission. The driver and co-driver were in a cab in front of the cargo area.

Produced in 1944 and first used at Okinawa in April 1945.

 LVT 1LVT (A)(1)LVT (2)LVT (A)(2)
Crew 35 31 (24 passengers)1
55
61,5
2 + 72
3, 45
Physical Characteristics    
Weight 21,800 lb5, 32,500 lb 30,000 lb5, 32,800 lb
14.6 tons1, 14.8 tons3
14,878 kg1
30,900 lb, 31,200 lb5
10.8 tons1, 11,000 kg1
Unloaded: 11,000 kg2, 24,250 lb2
Loaded: 13,721 kg2, 30,250 lb2
32,000 lb, 32,200 lb5
14.4 tons3
Length w/gun 21' 6"5 26' 1"1,5
7.95 m1,3
21' 6"2, 26' 1"1,5, 26' 11"
7.95 m1, 7.975 m2
26' 1"5, 26' 11"
7.95 m3
Length w/o gun    
Height 8' 1"5, 8' 1.5" 8' 1"5, 10' 1"1
3.01 m1, 3.25 m3
8' 1"1,5, 8' 2.5"2
2.5 m2, 2.69 m1
8' 1"5
2.46 m3
Width 9' 10"5 10' 8"1,5
3.25 m1,3
10' 8"1,2,5
3.25 m1,2
10' 8"5
3.25 m3
Width over tracks        
Ground clearance 18"5 18"5 18"5 18"5
Ground contact length 140"5 126.5"5 126.5"5 126.5"5
Ground pressure 13.9 psi5 8.7 psi, 9.8 psi5 9.8 psi5 9.8 psi5
Turret ring diameter    
Armament    
Main .50 cal HB M2 MG5 37 mm M3
37 mm1,3
37 mm M6, gyrostabilized5
12.7 mm (.50 cal) MG1,2
.50 cal HB M2 MG5
.50 cal HB M2 MG5
Secondary    
MG 2: .30 cal MG
.30 cal M1919A4 MG5
.50 cal AA, 2: .30 cal
12.7 mm (.50 cal) MG1
3: 7.62 mm (.30 cal) MG1
3: .30 cal M1919A4 MG, coaxial, ring mount by turret5
3: 7.62 mm (.30 cal) MG1
7.62 mm (.30 cal) MG2
.30 cal M1919A4 MG5
USMC: 3: .30 cal M1919A4 MG5
.30 cal M1919A4 MG5
USMC: 3: .30 cal M1919A4 MG5
Side arms    
Quantity    
Main  104, 1235   
Secondary    
MG6,000 6,000, 6,5005   
Side arms    
Armor Thickness (mm) Unarmored5 131
Front: 133
Side: 63
Unarmored5
01
Front: 133
Side: 63
Hull Front, Upper0 0.5"@0°5   0.5"@0°5
Hull Front, Lower      
Hull Sides, Upper  0.25"@0°5   0.25"@0°5
Hull Sides, Lower      
Hull Rear  0.25"@0°5   0.25"@0°5
Hull Top    
Hull Bottom    
Turret Front  1.75"@0°5   
Turret Sides  1.25"@0°5   
Turret Rear    
Turret Top    
Engine (Make / Model) Hercules WXLC-3
Hercules WXLC35
Continental W970-9A1,5 Wright W670
Continental W970-9A1,2,5
Wright W670
Continental W970-9A5
Bore / stroke        
Cooling Water5 Air5 Air5 Air5
Cylinders 65 R-75 R-75 R-75
Capacity        
Net HP 1465 2503,5 2502,5 2503,5
Power to weight ratio        
Compression ratio        
Transmission (Type) 3 forward, 1 reverse5 Synchromesh5
5 forward, 1 reverse5
Synchromesh5
5 forward, 1 reverse5
Synchromesh5
5 forward, 1 reverse5
Steering Clutch brake5 Controlled differential5 Controlled differential5 Controlled differential5
Steering ratio        
Starter        
Electrical system        
Ignition        
Fuel (Type) Gasoline5 Gasoline5 Gasoline2,5 Gasoline5
Octane        
Quantity 80 gallons5 140 gallons5 110 gallons5 104 gallons5
Road consumption 1.9 mpg5 1 mpg5 1 mpg5 1 mpg5
Cross country consumption        
Performance    
Traverse  360°5
Hydraulic
Power or hand5
  
Max speed 12 mph5
Water: 6.1 mph5
20 mph5, 25 mph1
40 kph1,3
water: 7 mph1, 7.5 mph5, 10 kph3, 11 kph1
20 mph1,2,5
32 kph1,2
water: 7.5 mph2,5, 8 mph1, 12 kph2 13 kph1
20 mph5
40 kph3
water: 7.5 mph5, 10 kph3
Cross country speed     
Road radius 150 miles5
Water: 60 miles5
125-150 miles, 125 miles1, 150 miles5
201 km1
water: 50-75 miles, 75 miles5
150 miles1,2,5
241 km2, 242 km1
Water: 50 miles5, 100 miles2, 161 km2
150 miles5
Water: 50 miles5
Cross country radius        
Turning radius    
Elevation limits  -10° to +20°5   
Fording depth    
Trench crossing 5' 4"5 5'5 5'5 5'5
Vertical obstacle 1' 6"5 3'5 3'5 3'5
Climbing ability 30° slope5 30° slope5 30° slope5 30° slope5
Suspension (Type) Unsprung, rollers in track ride in guides on sponson5 Torsilastic springs5 Torsilastic springs5 Torsilastic springs5
Wheels each side11 11 single bogie wheel assemblies5 11 single bogie wheel assemblies5 11 single bogie wheel assemblies5
Return rollers each side2 25 25 25
Tracks (Type) Link-Belt roller chains connected by aluminum cleats5 Steel, twin chains with "W" shaped grousers5 Steel, twin chains with "W" shaped grousers5 Steel, twin chains with "W" shaped grousers5
Length    
Width 10"5, 10.25" 14.25"5 14.25"5 14.25"5
Diameter        
Number of links 795 735 735 735
Pitch 3.26"5 4 1/8"5 4 1/8"5 4 1/8"5
Tire tread   Rubber5 Rubber5 Rubber5
Track centers/tread  113.5"5 113.5"5 113.5"5
Production
1941
72
1942
851
1943
302
USMC
540
US Army
485
Lend-Lease
200
1,2254
1941: Food Machinery Corp.5
1942
3
1943
288
1944
219
USMC
181, 182
US Army
328
1944-: 509
1942: Food Machinery & Chemical Corp.5
1943
1,540
1944
1,422
USMC
1,355, 1,507
US Army
1,407, 1,456
Lend-Lease
100
2,9632
1942-: 2,963
1942: Food Machinery & Chemical Corp.5
1943
200
1944
250
USMC
250
US Army
200, 450
  LVT (4) LVT (A)(4) LVT 3 LVT(A)(5)
Crew 34 61,5, (30 passengers)1 32 65
Physical Characteristics        
Weight Unloaded: 23,350 lb4, 10,600 kg4
36,400 lb
39,460 lb5
10.98 tons1, 18 tons3
11,156 kg1
38,600 lb
Unloaded: 12,065 kg2, 26,600 lb2
Loaded: 17,509 kg2, 38,600 lb2
20 tons5
Length w/gun 26' 1", 26.1'4
8 m4
26' 2"1,5
7.9 m1, 7.95 m3
26' 1"2
7.95 m2
26' 2"5
Length w/o gun        
Height 8' 1", 8.2'4
2.5 m4
10' 2.5"5, 10' 3"1
2.09 m1, 3.07 m3
9' 11"2
3.023 m2
10' 2.5"5
Width 10.6'4, 10' 8"
3.2 m4
10' 8"1,5
3.25 m1,3
10' 8"2
3.25 m2
10' 8"5
Width over tracks        
Ground clearance   18"5   18"5
Ground contact length   126.5"5   126.5"5
Ground pressure 8.4 psi4
0.6 (kg/cm2)4
9.9 psi5   9.9 psi5
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main   75 mm M2 or M3
75 mm1,3
75 mm Howitzer M35
12.7 mm MG2 75 mm Howitzer M35
Secondary        
MG 1 or 2: 0.3" M1919A4 MG4, OR
1 or 2: 0.5" M2 MG4
.50 cal MG AA
.50 cal HB M2 MG5
3: .30 cal M1919A4 MG, bow, 2 in flexible mounts on each side of turret5
2: 7.62 mm MG2 .50 cal HB M2 MG5
3: .30 cal M1919A4, mounts on each side and rear of turret5
Side arms        
Quantity        
Main   755, 100   755
Secondary        
MG   .50 cal: 4205
.30 cal: 6,0005
  .50 cal: 4205
.30 cal: 6,0005
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm)   131
Front: 133
Side: 63
   
Hull Front, Upper   0.5"@0°5   0.5"@0°5
Hull Front, Lower        
Hull Sides, Upper   0.25"@0°5   0.5"@0°5
Hull Sides, Lower        
Hull Rear   0.25"@0°5   0.25"@0°5
Hull Top        
Hull Bottom        
Turret Front   1.5"@0°5   1.5"@0°5
Turret Sides   1"@0°5   1"@0°5
Turret Rear        
Turret Top        
Engine (Make / Model) Wright W670
Continental4
Wright W6701
Continental W670-9A5
2: Cadillac2 Continental W670-9A5
Bore / stroke        
Cooling Air4 Air5   Air5
Cylinders 74 R-75   R-75
Capacity        
Net HP 200@1,800 rpm4 2503,5 220 total2 2505
Power to weight ratio 15.4 hp/ton4      
Compression ratio        
Transmission (Type)   Spicer synchromesh5
5 forward, 1 reverse5
Hydraulic 5 forward, 1 reverse5
Steering   Controlled differential5   Controlled differential5
Steering ratio        
Starter        
Electrical system        
Ignition        
Fuel (Type) Gasoline4 Gasoline5 Gasoline2 Gasoline5
Octane        
Quantity   140 gallons5   140 gallons5
Road consumption   1 mpg5
Water: 0.7 mpg5
  1 mpg5
Cross country consumption        
Performance        
Traverse   360°5
Manual5
  360°5
Hand and manual5
Max speed 20 mph, 25 mph4
40 kph4
Water: 5.4 kt4, 7.5 mph
20 mph, 25 mph1,5
40 kph1,3
Water: 7 mph5, 7.5 mph, 10 kph3
17 mph2, 27.3 kph2
Water: 6 mph2, 9.7 kph2
15 mph5
Water: 7-8 mph5
Cross country speed        
Road radius 150 miles4
242 km4
Water: 75 miles4, 121 km4
150 miles5, 300 miles1
483 km1
Water: 100 miles5
150 miles2, 241 km2
Water: 75 miles2, 120.7 km
150 miles5
Water: 100 miles5
Cross country radius        
Turning radius        
Elevation limits        
Fording depth        
Trench crossing   5'5   5'5
Vertical obstacle   3'5   3'5
Climbing ability   30° slope5   30° slope5
Suspension (Type)   Torsilastic springs5   Torsilastic springs5
Wheels each side 11 11 single bogie wheel assemblies5 11 11 single bogie wheel assemblies5
Return rollers each side 2 25 3 25
Tracks (Type)   Steel, twin chains with "W" shaped grousers5   Steel, twin chains with "W" shaped grousers5
Length        
Width   14.25"5   14.25"5
Diameter        
Number of links   735   735
Pitch   4 1/8"5   4 1/8"5
Tire tread   Rubber5   Rubber5
Track centers/tread   113.5"5   113.5"5
Production
1943
11
1944
4,980
1945 3,360
USMC
1,765
US Army
6,083
Lend-Lease
503
8,4384, 8,3482
1943-1945: 8,343
1944
1,489
1945
401
USMC
533
US Army
1,307
Lend-Lease
50
1944-1945: 1,890
1944: Food Machinery & Chemical Corp.5
1943
1
1944
733
1945 2,230
USMC
2,962
US Army
2
1945: 2,6922
1945: Food Machinery and Chemical Corp.5

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  3. Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
  4. Battle Winning Tanks, Aircraft & Warships of World War II, David Miller, 2000
  5. Tank Data 2, Aberdeen Proving Grounds Series, E. J. Hoffschmidt and W. H. Tantum IV, 1969
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