Hi,
I just received this model and want to put cargo in the back, I've seen them with jeeps, Any ideals, something a little different. I know it was used for the crossing of the Rhine and in the far east. Any other uses, has anyone build this and any thing to watch out for. Thanks

What about a 105mm howitzer ?




Frenchy

Thanks, that is a really great ideal !

Hello John, I built the Italeri LVT and I would strongly recommend using a metal axle for the front drive wheels. The plastic pins used in the kit are definitely not strong enough to take the strain of the track. Drill holes in the back of the drive wheels, glue one end of a steel rod in a wheel, slide it through the hull, trim it to length, and glue on the other drive wheel. There is also a gap where the front of the hull meets the deck. I used a strip of styrene to shim it. I don't know if it is still available, but Verlinden makes a nice detail set for that kit. I used it in mine, it included a full interior and engine compartment. The PE vanes that go in the rear above the tracks are a big improvement over the plastic kit parts. Apparently Italeri used a post-war French example as the basis of its model. The platforms they give you for the cargo compartment weren't used in WW2 LVT's. Early LVT's didn't have the vision blocks for the driver. There was a single opening in front of the driver with a hinged cover. You can build the model either way. Squadron's AMTRACs in Action is a good reference, and Hard Corps Models has several books on building different versions of the AMTRAC. Al

Hi, I am in the middle of building the Italeri LVT series for use in my first Pacific Theater Dios. They are a lot bigger than what I had imagined. Went on a building frenzy with Gators , Buffalos , etc. They seem to go together pretty good although I see what you mean about the slight gap in the front. Now I have to paint them. Saving that for another day . I think that I will use them in an Iwo Jima dio sometime soon. And , Al ,thanks for the tip on the drive wheels . I havn't got to that part yet where you paint and apply the tracks. Right now I am trying to finish my PBR base. Been too long since I started it...........Al V

Hello TaFFY3 and retiredbee 2,
Thank you both for your ideals, I see about the metal rod and the gap. I saw ealier that a company has replacement tracks for the LVT but I haven't gotten that far to think about doing that. I did order the squardon book on LVT's, just waiting for that to come in. Thank you all for the help. I will post a picture when done as soon as I learn how now to post. Well 1 day at a time.

TaFFY3 cool name it has a lot of meaning to it, I noticed in your pofile, you have done the fiqures for the 1/35 pt boat. I also just received my pt 596 in the mail. How did you like the kit? Pictures in the other forums they look great. well thanks alot guys.

You are welcome John, and Alfred, there is a set of resin tracks by Hard Corps Models available, and some one was coming out with a set of metal tracks. I used the kit tracks myself. I used thin wire from Baggie twist ties to join the tracks together. They worked well and are easy to hide. I loved the Italeri PT boat. It went together well and is very detailed. I would strongly recommend replacing the plastic prop shafts with metal rod. I broke mine countless times. The only place I had to use any filler was in blending the raised strake around the lower edge of the hull. The only other trouble I had was in aligning and mounting the mufflers. Italeri should have provided a better, more positive method of mounting them. There are some in-progress photos of my boat on the HVHMG club website(Google HVHMG), in the members gallery under my name. There are also some pictures of my AMTRACs. I will post some photos of the completed PT on our sister site, Model Shipwrights soon. There is a great book about 'TAFFY 3' called "Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors". AL

Taffey3,
I looked at your albums and your work is really gooood !! I really liked the colors of your pt boat. I ordered a extra 40 mm kit and going to install it on the bow. I found a picture of the boat, the crew removed the 2 forward torpedo tubes, so they just had the aft tubes. I also found a picture of a pt boat with a quad 50 cal. on the bow. I'll tell you it had to be a great thing to see that going off at night !!! I just found out that the movie company that filmed Band of Brothers made another movie called Band of Brothers, Pacfic. Its surpose to be released on HBO in march 2010. Go to youtube and check out the trailers, its got LVT's.
And thanks for the heads up on the Taffey3 book, I ordered it. Did you see the Dogfights video on the battle ? If not check it out on youtube. Thanks again, keep in touch, john

Thanks for the kind words John. I've never seen a PT with the quad.50 mount, that would be interesting. ELCO had a quad 20mm mount called the 'Thunderbolt', usually mounted on the stern. It never was as popular as the 40mm though. I've seen the coming attractions for 'The Pacific' and it does look good indeed. I'm looking forward to it. I'll keep an eye out for you on the site and would like to see your work. Al

The model companies better crank up their production of LVTs and anything Pacific theater cause I got a feeling there will be a lot of demand once the series hits. .....maybe some Japaneese figures , artilery etc.......Al........I like the Oerlikon gun on the PT boat. Wish they made just the guns. I would like to do a dio of a battery like the ones on cruisers and battleships, where the guns are placed four or five in a row. Wouldn't mind seeing one of those double twin40 AA mounts.Probably be not too affordable if they did one..........just rambling.....sorry !!!!!!!

Hello Alfred, If you are interested Accurate Armour makes a 20mm naval mount. It is listed in their catalog for about $34.00 US. It is the heavy 'Destroyer mount', not the tripod. This type of mount was used on the stern of the early ELCO boats as well as the Higgins PTs, and all other US warships that mounted the 20mm. There was a fellow who scratch built a beautiful Quad 40mm mount in its tub, with a full crew. I believe it was in FineScale Modeler a few years ago. Al

Hey....thanks for the information Al. I believe that I will look into it. Take care and happy modeling......Al V

It's Friul(model) who will be doing the metal tracks. I think they've dropped their prices, should be able to find them for $30 or so. IMO, a much better option than the crappy Italeri tracks.

Jim

Hello,

I found this over at ARC LVT-2 Amtrac, fast build ALMOST done!!!!

In the non a/c forums

enjoy, john

Last one, gotta go to work

http://www.airdaleamericanhistory.com/WWII--LVT-4-Pg1.html


Thanks, john

You are welcome Alfred, glad to help. May the gods of styrene smile upon you and your endeavors. Al

The gods of styrene have filled up one room and are about halfway done filling up another but thanks for the good will gesture. The gun costs about 40 bucks including mailing . Im sure that I can scratch build more of them once I have an orrigional.........Al