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.

As part of the U.S. Military plan of island hopping their way to Tokyo an assault on Makin Atoll, one of the Gilbert Island group was launched on November 20, 1943. The island was defended by a relatively small garrison of 806 men and by November Makin was declared “Taken”. Over the 5 days the Japanese had an estimated 395 killed while the American losses numbered 66 killed and 152 wounded. The largest American loss came off shore when the USS Liscome Bay was torpedoed with the loss of 644 personnel. There were also 10 sailors lost in a turret fire on the battleship USS Mississippi as well as 10 naval shore party and pilots. The American total reached 763 which was almost the number of the entire Japanese garrison.

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 HG4406 LVT-2 AMTRAC Provisional Company 193rd Tank Bttn, Makin (Gilbert Islands), Nov 1943

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.