After watching a documentary on the battle for the Scheldt, I would like to recreate the use of LVT-4 Water Buffalos crossing dikes and dropping off Commandos behind enemy lines.

Anyone built the Italeri Water Buffalo?

What are your experiences with the kit?

MSW

:-) Hi buddy,

The kit needs some spiffing up. Designed as it is it represents a late French Indo china version, having been based upon the Samur museum item. There is an excellent update feature in the latest issue of Military Modelling on how to tame the beast, written by Bruce Crosby. The only thing I didn't like was he beat me to the punch! Seriously, it's well worth a peek, as the guy knows his stuff. You can select what is appropriate for your need.

BMT,

Jack

I was looking at the kit a little while ago because it just looks cool. I found some reviews on the kit as I usually do before getting one...saves any grief. I decided to wait awhile though as the unbuilts has reached near saturation levels. Here are some of the reviews I've found for it:

http://www.internetmodeler.com/2001/march/first-looks/italeri_LVT-4.htm

This one was translated from German...I hope the incredibly huge address translates as well.
http://216.239.35.120/translate_c?hl=en&u=http://www.panzer-modell.de/berichte/lvt4/lvt4.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3D%2BItaleri%2BWater%2BBuffalo%2BLVT-4%26start%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

Scroll down a little for this review by Cokie Sewell. He states that "out of the box" it will only build into a post-war Italian version.
http://www.geocities.com/qcsms/news/2001/2001_05.html

Is any one of these AMTRACs any better than the other?

For what it's worth - I started both the Water Buffalo and the Alligator kits and I like them. They assemble easily, and are nicely detailed - eventhough time periods and user modifications are a bit confused. The fixes aren't too hard - and if you don't care - the model looks cool just built-up out of the box. They are deceptively big too - park a model Jeep next to one...

The only thing I was really disappointed with are the funky two-piece track runs. I wanted to rob my Cromwell Alligator for a set of tracks, but that wasn't an attractive proposition either. Where oh where is RHPS now...

Gunnie

19K thanks for the websites. They will certainly come in handy when I come to that one on the list of things to be done. I echo the initators question----"who has built this baby?"
DJ

I don't know of anyone or any real "build" reviews of the kit. When I do find one I'll be sure to let you know.

Gunnie, it is a deceptivly big model. I did see a built one with a Willys sitting inside it. Looked real cool. The Alligator is from this kit too...which is another cool looking kit. I'll look around a bit as I recall seeing a build review of that one.

the bolts are missing from the starboard deck. Also, the tracks are available in resin from Accurate armour

HTH

Jack .....be off to the sack!!

Just a side note... I saw that Italeri is releasing the LVT-(A)5. I didn't see an expected date, but several on-line stores are taking pre-orders. My limited research shows this version has the M8
Howitzer stabilized, power traverse turret. Later production (1951) shows add-on curved bow tanks and fairings which extended from bottom of the hull, up over the bow, and back to the top deck. I have no idea what to expect with this version, early or late.
Don
Early version! Here's the pic.
http://www.italeri.com/articolo2.asp?ProCodice=6396&ProDescrizione=LVT%2D+%28A%29+5

Has anyone heard or seen anything from this company "Trakz"?!? These kits are apparently for Italeri's AMTRACs. Correct? Any news or reviews on them? Certainly makes me want to get one...Italeri's kit and these conversions.

These look real nice!

19K--truly amazing as always. The detail set cost more than the model itself. I downloaded the interior description of the vehicles. I also bought the Verlinden after market set to put on her. I have not seen anyone mention the VLS product in this string so I do not know if folks are using it and can comment. I also purchased for use on this one the VLS .30 and .50 machine guns. I am anxious to get started on it, but there is only so much time and so many, many models to do.
DJ

So, let me get this straight, the Italeri kit does not come with any type of interior? I was hoping it had at least a rudimentary interior like the LAV-25 did.

Not for the Driver's Compartment in the case of the Water Buffalo or Alligator. I have Verlinden's set for it, and as usual it is nice and not to difficult to get in there. The same would apply to the Alligator, but with a little more effort required. I planned on adding parts from Verlinden's M5 Stuart Interior for the Turret details to add the the Alligator until I saw the Trakz sets in my Verlinden Newsletter.

Like DJ pointed out above, the Trakz details sets cost more that the kit(s) themselves! I haven't convinced myself that I like the Amtrac/Amtank that much yet I suffer from too many good subjects but not enough time to get them all finished as fast as I'd like like the rest of you guys...

Gunnie

CAREFUL GUYS..........I've heard that certain of the Verlinden parts were off kilter. Check out the Bruce Croby (not Bing!!) Article in the latest issue of Military Modelling Magazine.

CJ

CJ - it's not unusual for a few VP parts to be off kilter! But, that's why we're model builders!

Gunnie

Hi,

For those interested Military Modelling special issue APR/MAY have a very extensive article (22 pages) by Bruce Crosby, where he details all the corrections and details for vehicles used WWI ETO and PTO, including scale drawings to build the POLSTEN gun.

Jose--can you provide a websire for "Military Modelling"?
thanks
DJ

DJ, here it is:

Military Modelling

I've built the waterbuffalo buy italeri while it was a good build it had its flaws.
It had the 1951 bow plane on it and not the the sides to match. The best you could
do is build it late model french for indo chinia.It is typical italeri what detail that is
there is alright but just low cost quality.The cargo has the water racks in it
to keep cargo out of the water but thats it alright oob but nothing more


ponysoldier


The Horse The Gun The Man






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