As a relief from Axis overload, I've been working on the LVT-4 "Water Buffalo" amtrac that brought my dad ashore on Saipan in the 2nd wave of the 4th Marine Div. I am adding the Eduard PE to it, but can't figure out what the gizmo below is, how it should be placed, etc. Can't find it in any photos I've seen of LVT-4s, but most of them are relics in poor shape and something small like this likely would rust off, be broken off, or simply stolen by relic hunters.



I'm grumpy to begin with because the Italeri kit has fit issues, but the Eduard instructions are, as usual, occasionally vague and imprecise about placement. It's one reason I buy Eduard PE last if there is no Lion Roar, Aber or Voyager (in that order). Royal Model is just too pricey for what you get. There is also the problem with Eduard's brass, which is generally thinner and/or more brittle than other manufacturers, and therefore harder to work with.

One exception this go'round has been the brass machine gun barrels which, if properly annealed and wrapped around a forming shape, turn out pretty nifty.

Hello Bill, I am not familiar with the eduard set, does it include the side armor? If it does those are probably the mounting brackets for the armor. The Italeri kit has the armor molded to the sponsons. I don't know if this helps you? Al

Hi guys,
Actually, if I remember correctly, this would end up being inside the LVT in the cargo area and should be just behind the entrance to the driver’s compartment. What this should be is a bracket to hold a step for the machine gunner, a firing platform if you will.
The curved arrow is to remind you to add this to the other side also. The added on armor on the sides would have a couple of brackets to hold it in position and then welded on the seams of the pontoons. Which would normally cover the steps and this specific location for item 20.
I know I have some photos covering this and I’ll see if I can find them when I get home.
Bob

Nope, I'm wrong, I'm thinking of an LVT 2
Al is correct. It is additional armor on the side of the pontoon and would cover the original step so this is supposed to represent a step. Why it looks like it does I have no idea. Not in the manual so it must represent a field modification due to the additional armor.
Sorry, think I'll just keep quiet untill I check first from now on.
Bob

Can see how the armor is but no step

Nope, Al, it does not.

All in all, not a great kit and not a great PE solution.

Hey Bill, look at the photo that Bob posted, particularly just above the bogeys along the bottom edge of the sponson, I think you'll see that those brackets are holding the side armor on. Al

Now I get it, Al was totally right, that one in the middle is just supposed to be cut of not replaced and the numbered 20 items are to replace the brackets holding on the plate. That blue bubble point should be pointing at one of the other items to be cut off.
Bob