[[Image:Tracked landing vehicles (LVTs) approach Iwo Jima;fig14.jpg|thumb|300px|LVTs, jam-packed with U.S. 4th Marine Division troops, Battle of Iwo Jima, 19 February 1945.]] The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) was an amphibious armoured vehicle used by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Army during World War II. It was also known as Amphtrack, amtrak, amptrack, from the contraction of amphibious tractor, ==Development== The LVT had its origins in a civilian hurricane rescue vehicle called the ''Alligator'' invented by Donald Roebling in 1937. The United States Marine Corps, which had been developing amphibious warfare doctrines based on the ideas of Lieutenant Colonel Earl Hancock Ellis and others, soon became interested in the machine after learning about it through an article Life magazine. Designed by John A. Roebling (originally as a hurricane rescue vehicle), the first LVTs could hold 24 men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. They were first used in landings on battle of Guadalcanal in August 1942. Many types were produced with different armament, capacity and other features. In the course of World War II, about 18,000 were built. Improvement and experimentation continued throughout the war, especially in the areas of suspension (vehicle) and power plant. Later models included turreted tank-like vehicles with a light cannon or flamethrower, and a special cargo model with a loading ramp. ==Variants== ===LVT 1=== The first military model was called the LVT 1, short for "Landing Vehicle, Tracked" and was introduced in 1941. Steaming at a respectable six knot (speed) in the water and travelling twelve mph on land, it could deliver 24 fully-equipped assault troops to the beach, and supply supporting fire from two Browning Model 1919 machine gun. It was not armoured per se, but its steel hull offered some protection from shrapnel and small-arms fire. Troops exited from rear doors on dry land, instead of using a ramp in the front at the water's edge as on other landing craft of the era. There were some problems when the tracks encountered especially tough surfaces like coral, although they performed well on sand. Proper maintenance of the new-fangled machine was often an issue, as few Marines were trained to work on it, and early models suffered frequent breakdowns. ===LVT A1=== *M3 tank light tank turret ===LVT 2=== *Improved suspension ===LVT 2 (A) === *Armoured version of LVT 2 known as "Water Buffalo" *Capacity 18 troops *450 built *LVT 3 "Bushmaster" (also used in Vietnam War) *LVT 4 ===LVT A4=== Stuart_tank#HMC_M8 turret on LVT 4 ===LVT A5=== *Powered turret ===LVT "Buffalo"=== *British version of LVT 4 *Polsten 20 mm and 2 x .30 cal Browning MG ==Combat history== The LVT 1 first saw action at Battle of Guadalcanal and was last used in the assault on Battle of Tarawa. Japanese artillery disabled half of the tractors by the end of the day. Still, the amphtracks proved their worth by successfully ferrying men across the coral reef and through the shallows to the beach. Marines who arrived in LCVP Higgins boats, on the other hand, could not cross the reef and had to wade through chest-deep or higher water while being raked by Japanese machine guns; casualties were horrific and many who did make it to the beach alive had lost their rifle and other essential gear. The "alligator" was clearly a good idea that worked, but improvements such as added armor were needed to make it more effective. ==Modern descendents== Many of the world's militaries employ more modern versions of the amphtrack. One of the latest is the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, slated to replace the Amphibious Assault Vehicle in 2008. (Incidentally, the AAV is manufactured by United Defense, formerly a division of FMC—Food Machinery Corporation. Originally a manufacturer of insecticide spray pumps and other farm equipment, the company was pressed into service to build the first order of 200 LVT1's, and eventually became a defense contractor). ==External inks== *[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1987/RRW.htm Origins of the Amphtrack] *[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ WW2 Vehicles] Armored fighting vehiclesAmphibious vehicles
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Words begining with Landing_Vehicle_Tracked:
Landing_Vehicle_Tracked
Landing Vehicle Tracked
[[Image:Tracked landing vehicles (LVTs) approach Iwo Jima;fig14.jpg|thumb|300px|LVTs, jam-packed with U.S. 4th Marine Division troops, Battle of Iwo Jima, 19 February 1945.]] The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) was an amphibious armoured vehicle used by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Army during World War II. It was also known as Amphtrack, amtrak, amptrack, from the contraction of amphibious tractor, ==Development== The LVT had its origins in a civilian hurricane rescue vehicle called the ''Alligator'' invented by Donald Roebling in 1937. The United States Marine Corps, which had been developing amphibious warfare doctrines based on the ideas of Lieutenant Colonel Earl Hancock Ellis and others, soon became interested in the machine after learning about it through an article Life magazine. Designed by John A. Roebling (originally as a hurricane rescue vehicle), the first LVTs could hold 24 men or 4,500 pounds (2,000 kg) of cargo. They were first used in landings on battle of Guadalcanal in August 1942. Many types were produced with different armament, capacity and other features. In the course of World War II, about 18,000 were built. Improvement and experimentation continued throughout the war, especially in the areas of suspension (vehicle) and power plant. Later models included turreted tank-like vehicles with a light cannon or flamethrower, and a special cargo model with a loading ramp. ==Variants== ===LVT 1=== The first military model was called the LVT 1, short for "Landing Vehicle, Tracked" and was introduced in 1941. Steaming at a respectable six knot (speed) in the water and travelling twelve mph on land, it could deliver 24 fully-equipped assault troops to the beach, and supply supporting fire from two Browning Model 1919 machine gun. It was not armoured per se, but its steel hull offered some protection from shrapnel and small-arms fire. Troops exited from rear doors on dry land, instead of using a ramp in the front at the water's edge as on other landing craft of the era. There were some problems when the tracks encountered especially tough surfaces like coral, although they performed well on sand. Proper maintenance of the new-fangled machine was often an issue, as few Marines were trained to work on it, and early models suffered frequent breakdowns. ===LVT A1=== *M3 tank light tank turret ===LVT 2=== *Improved suspension ===LVT 2 (A) === *Armoured version of LVT 2 known as "Water Buffalo" *Capacity 18 troops *450 built *LVT 3 "Bushmaster" (also used in Vietnam War) *LVT 4 ===LVT A4=== Stuart_tank#HMC_M8 turret on LVT 4 ===LVT A5=== *Powered turret ===LVT "Buffalo"=== *British version of LVT 4 *Polsten 20 mm and 2 x .30 cal Browning MG ==Combat history== The LVT 1 first saw action at Battle of Guadalcanal and was last used in the assault on Battle of Tarawa. Japanese artillery disabled half of the tractors by the end of the day. Still, the amphtracks proved their worth by successfully ferrying men across the coral reef and through the shallows to the beach. Marines who arrived in LCVP Higgins boats, on the other hand, could not cross the reef and had to wade through chest-deep or higher water while being raked by Japanese machine guns; casualties were horrific and many who did make it to the beach alive had lost their rifle and other essential gear. The "alligator" was clearly a good idea that worked, but improvements such as added armor were needed to make it more effective. ==Modern descendents== Many of the world's militaries employ more modern versions of the amphtrack. One of the latest is the United States Marine Corps Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle, slated to replace the Amphibious Assault Vehicle in 2008. (Incidentally, the AAV is manufactured by United Defense, formerly a division of FMC—Food Machinery Corporation. Originally a manufacturer of insecticide spray pumps and other farm equipment, the company was pressed into service to build the first order of 200 LVT1's, and eventually became a defense contractor). ==External inks== *[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1987/RRW.htm Origins of the Amphtrack] *[http://www.wwiivehicles.com/ WW2 Vehicles] Armored fighting vehiclesAmphibious vehicles
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L
LA | LB | LC | LD | LE | LF | LG | LH | LI | LJ | LK | LM | LN | LO | LP | LR | LS | LT | LU | LW | LX | LY | LZ |Words begining with Landing_Vehicle_Tracked:
Landing_Vehicle_Tracked
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