LVT-2 in British service

I'm currently building a 1/35 model of LVT(A)-2 vehicle "3F" during operation Infatuate II. I've got four photos/stills of this vehicle taken in Westkapelle and Flushing but these don't shed much light on the shape of the mg shields of the .30 and .50 caliber Brownings. I wonder if there are any service manuals or drawings depicting these shields. I've got some very nice illustrations of the box-shaped shields used on later LVT-4's (Rhine crossings) but these are not what I'm looking for. I would also be interested in any pics showing the interior of LVT-2 s in British service. I know the "Life" Buffalo pic series of the Canadian troops at Leuth (Holland).




The model I'm working on :



Thanks in advance.

Arjan

 

Hi Arjan,

I have some old stuff on the LVT 4 versions but will have a look to see what there is for the LVT 2's.

Nice work so far with your model. This is what I did with the same LVT 2 kit.

Cheers

Kevin

 

Hi Kevin, really lovely model ! I've noticed that you used the early style engine air intake grid (if that is the correct word) on your model. Any particular reason ? One of the trivial details I fret about is whether the curved rail for the mg guns at the back of the fighting compartment was also fitted to LVT-2s in British service. This rail seems to be absent in these pics of an early LVT-2 :





Regards,

Arjan

 

I think the shields of the .30 caliber Brownings on 3F were simple flat plates but it looks as if there was some curve in the .50 caliber shield. To me it looks like this one but I don't know how to interpret this photo :



Arjan

 

In the mean time I have come to the conclusion that the .50 caliber gun shield of vehicle 3F was flat after all, it had some square slots cut into its right hand side and probably some hooks welded to its front side. The slots do not seem to serve any purpose so perhaps the shield had been fashioned from an existing armoured door or something similar. In these pics 3F is always right behind 3C. On board the LCT :



On dry land :




Arjan

 

Shots of an LVT2 interior, I only have this one which would be of any use:

 

Thanks for the interesting photo ! Judging from the modified engine air intakes this was an LVT (A)-2, the armoured version of the LVT-2. I'm building both these LVT-2 versions as both were used during Infatuate II. Both versions can also be seen in the Life Leuth photos. A pic of my models under construction after having received a first coating of paint, the one in the background is the LVT-2 with unarmoured cab :



My LVT(A)-2 model in more favourable lighting conditions :



These are my favourite LVT-2 pics, both show the armoured version :





Regards,

Arjan

 

Yes, it was an armoured version if I remember the document right. It wasn't used apart form trials equipment. If memory serves it was dated 1945.

 

Hello Arjan,

Nice to see you've started your LVT kit.

Here are a couple more photos showing LVT2 3F of 26 Aslt Sqn RE:


plus a larger version of IWM B11628:

I don't think they are hooks we see here, but the top end of anti craft obstacles beyond:


Michel

 

Thanks Michel, the pics you've posted have a much better resolution than the copies I've got. I think you are quite right about the beach obstacles. Apart from these two LVT-2s I also intend to build two LVT-4s (AFV Club) and two Weasels (old Monogram kits). I will also have to convert some 1/35 British para figures into commandos .

Regards,

Arjan

 

The same photo of 3F in Vlissingen as you posted in your OP, in higher resolution:


Plus yet another view of the same vehicle, in case you did not know it:


Michel

 

Thanks Michel, I do indeed know these pics. They were taken at the Zeilmarkt in Flushing. Fortunately the buildings in the background can still be recognized :




I hope you or another member can help me out with the headgear worn by LVT crew and commandos. Most commandos appear to have worn a beret whereas only a few wore the knitted cap comforter or a helmet. I'm puzzled by the shape of the helmet worn by someone in 3F, to me it looks like a para helmet but since this seems unlikely I wonder if it can be a dispatch rider's helmet :



This pic of the 52nd lowland division also seems to show a dispatch rider, in the top right hand corner someone also seems to be wearing a similarly shaped helmet :




Regards,

Arjan

 

Thanks Owen, I take it one of the figures in this set I've got has this type of helmet :

MiniArt 35121 BRITISH TANK CREW. WINTER UNIFORM

Regards,

Arjan