Hobby Master Archive

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.

The LVT-2 first saw action at Tarawa when the 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion used 50 of them. The LVT-2 took part in all the major Pacific campaigns up to the invasion of Okinawa. There were 2,963 units produced in seven factories. One of the many battles the LVT-2 was used in was the Battle of Saipan that lasted from June 15, 1944 - July 9, 1944. On June 15th over 300 LVTs landed 8,000 Marines and by the end of hostilities the Americans had landed 71,000 personnel. The Japanese lost almost their entire garrison of at least 30,000 men while the Americans had 2,949 killed and 10,364 wounded.

Specifications for the LVT-2 Crew - 2 / 7 Production Dates - 1942 / 1945 Number Produced - 2,963 Engine - 7-cylinder Continental Model W670-9A, producing 250 hp, now moved to rear of vehicle Fuel Capacity - 140 gallons Transmission - Spicer Gear 5 forward 1 reverse

Speed Land - 20 mph Water - 7.5 mph Range Land - 150 miles Water - 100 miles Weight Empty - 24,250 lbs Loaded - 30,250 lbs Hull Thickness - 14 gauge Dimensions Length - 26 ft 2 in Width - 10 ft 8 in Height - 8 ft 2 in Armament 1 X 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine gun 1 X 7.62 mm (0.3 in) machine gun

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG4404 LVT-2 AMTRAC Unkown Unit Saipan (Mariana Islands), June 1944

True 1/72 scale.

Professionally painted.

Weathered finish.

Great attention to detail.

All markings are Tampoed (pad applied).

Rubber tracks roll.

Extremely heavy metal with a minimum of plastic.

Highly collectable.