LVT(A)-4 Amtank - Tracked Armored Amphibious Fire Support Vehicle

About the LVT(A)-4 Amtank - Tracked Armored Amphibious Fire Support Vehicle:

The LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) was an amphibious tracked vehicle adapted by the US Navy to carry US Marines’ cargo and equipment to shore during beach landings in World War II. The US Marines quickly adopted it as beach assault vehicle, from experience gained during the Tarawa campaign. There was it proven the LVT could traverse obstacles like coral reefs, which had stopped traditional landing craft from reaching the shore.

The original LVTs were not armored and the heaviest weapons they carried were the Browning .50 caliber M2HB. Larger guns were brought to shore on LVTs to provide fire support for ground troops, but it proved to bean awkward and clumsy operation. A more heavily armed and armored assault version of the LVT was called for and the armored LVT(A) was created. The purpose was to provide mobile firepower in support of assaulting Marines and soldier, typically arriving on shore in the original open-top, troop-carrying LVTs.

A new LVT variant with an armored crew compartment and a tank-like turret was envisions and thus the LVT(A) or "Amtank" was born. The original LVA(A)-1 used the turret M3 Stuart light tank, but the 37mm gun proved too small to effectively take out Japanese bunkers and other fortified positions. The LVT(A)-4 was upgraded with a turret based on the M8 Scott 75mm GMC, which carried a far more capable weapon for supporting assault troops. The LVT(A)-4 was also equipped with one bow-mounted .30 caliber MG and various combinations of .30 and .50 caliber machine guns on the open turret for close-in defense. 

LVTs and LVT(A)s were specifically designed for the island-hopping campaign of the Pacific Theater of Operations. The camouflage pattern on this model was inspired by the LVT(A) used by the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion, US Marines in the 1944-1945 campaigns. The versatility of the LVT and LVT(A) were also appreciated and heavily used by the Allies in Europe, where they excelled at river crossings and traversing flooded or marshy areas, which would bog down traditional vehicles.