Amphibian LVT(A)-4 3rd Marine Bttn. "Beach Green 1" WWII 1944 HG4409 1:72

Hobby Master Armor Vehicle Series Amphibian LVT(A)-4 3rd Marine Amtrack Bttn. "Beach Green 1" WWII 1944 HG4409 1:72 1:72 Scale Item: HG4409 A vast improvement over the LVT-1 came with the arrival of the LVT-2 commonly known as the “Water Buffalo” and also as just the “Buffalo”. The new machine was provided with better armor, a newer Continental engine and the same transmission found in M3A1 Stuart tanks all riding on a new suspension. This made it possible for the LVT-2 to carry 6,500 pounds, 2,000 pounds more than the LVT-1. The one flaw with the LVT-2 was the bilge powers were powered by gasoline so when the gasoline ran out the LVT-2 usually foundered. The LVT-2 was manufactured from 1942 until 1945. On July 24, 1945, two days after capturing Saipan, the 4th Marine Division loaded into their LVTs and began the three mile crossing to Tinian. A false assault in the area of Tinian Town drew some defenders away from the actual landing area six miles away. Meanwhile the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion began landings at White Beach 1 and 2 using 96 LVT-2s and 40 LVT-4s. On August 1, 1945 Tinian had been secured and 5 days later the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. September 16, 1942 saw the activation of the 3rd Amphibian Tractor (Amtrac) Battalion that was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division that was also newly activated that day. After training the units left California and sailed to Auckland, New Zealand during February and March 1943. The 3rd AB took part in landings at Bougainville using 124 LVT-1s as well as Guam where they used 193 LVT-2 (Water Buffalos) and LVT-4s. Once again the 3rd AB provided 90 LVT-2s for assaults on Iwo Jima.