Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT)

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:

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):

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):

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:

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:

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 1	LVT (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
MG	6,000	6,000, 6,5005
Side arms
Armor Thickness (mm)	Unarmored5	131 Front: 133 Side: 63	Unarmored5 01	Front: 133 Side: 63
Hull Front, Upper	0	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 side	11	11 single bogie wheel assemblies5	11 single bogie wheel assemblies5	11 single bogie wheel assemblies5
Return rollers each side	2	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

Want to learn about a new vehicle? Select the random picture to learn about the vehicle.

Other LVT Links
Main Page Photos

| | |

---

Web WWIIVehicles