The Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) was a class of amphibious vehicles introduced by the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Army during World War II. Originally intended solely as cargo carriers for ship to shore operations, they rapidly evolved into assault troop and fire support vehicles as well. The types were all widely known as amphtrack, amtrak, amtrac etc., a portmanteau of amphibious tractor.

After much deliberation, it was determined that amphibious tracked vehicles were the only solution to this problem. Both the amtrac and the amtank were developed, designed to be able to climb onto a reef from the sea then advance across the rough coral to the beach without exposing the troops inside to small arms fire. The amtracs were responsible for transporting troops ashore where they could continue the assault. The amtanks, on the hand, led the way, firing at the enemy positions the moment naval gunfire and air strikes lifted.

The LVT 1 could carry 18 fully equipped men or 4,500 pounds (2,041 kg) of cargo. Originally intended to carry replenishments from ships ashore, they lacked armor protection and their tracks and suspension were unreliable when used on hard terrain. However, the Marines soon recognized the potential of the LVT as an assault vehicle. Armored versions were introduced as well as fire support versions, dubbed Amtanks, which were fitted with turrets from Stuart series light tanks (LVT(A)-1) and Howitzer Motor Carriage M8s (LVT(A)-4). Among other upgrades were a new powerpack, also borrowed from the Stuarts, and a torsilastic suspension which significantly improved performance on land.

Production continued throughout the war, resulting in 18,621 LVTs delivered. In late 1940s a series of prototypes were built and tested, but none reached production stage due to lack of funding. Realizing that acquisition of new vehicles was unlikely, the Marines modernized some of the LVT-3s and LVT(A)-5s and kept them in service until late 1950s.

The battle for Iwo Jima, from February 19th to March 26th, 1945, was one of the fiercest in the whole of the Pacific Campaign. Capturing the isolated volcanic island and its strategically located airfields resulted in the deaths of more than 6,800 Americans, with another 19,000 wounded. Dragon Armor has released a 1/72 scale model of one of the vehicles that participated in the assault of this island. The vehicle is an American LVT(A)-4 amphibious vehicle. As a modification of the LVT(A)-1, the LVT(A)-4 featured a complete turret and M2 or M3 75mm howitzer taken directly from the M8 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC). A total of 1,890 LVT(A)-4 vehicles were manufactured, with many being used at Iwo Jima in 1945. Its 75mm weapon proved effective in attacking Japanese fortifications during amphibious assaults.

The ready-made model is finished in the markings of the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion of the US Marine Corps (USMC). The model is resplendent in a colorful three-color camouflage paint finish. The tactical number A21 is painted in small white letters on the hull side, as by this stage of the war crewmen didnt want to provide conspicuous aiming points for the enemy! The detail on this LVT(A)-4 is quite stunning, including the open-topped turret and a .50-cal machine gun mounted on it. This LVT is the perfect companion to the LVT(A)-1 released earlier by Dragon Armor. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-1/4-inches
Width: 1-3/4-inches

Release Date: November 2011

Historical Account: "Bloody Iwo" - The Battle of Iwo Jima (February 19th - March 26th, 1945), or Operation Detachment, was a battle in which the United States fought for and captured Iwo Jima from Japan. The U.S. invasion was charged with the mission of capturing the two airfields on Iwo Jima. The battle produced some of the fiercest fighting in the Pacific Campaign of World War II.

The Japanese positions on the island were heavily fortified, with vast bunkers, hidden artillery, and 18 km (11 mi) of underground tunnels. The Americans were covered by extensive naval and air support, capable of putting an enormous amount of firepower onto the Japanese positions. The battle was the first American attack on the Japanese Home Islands, and the Imperial soldiers defended their positions tenaciously. Of the more than 18,000 Japanese soldiers present at the beginning of the battle, only 216 were taken prisoner. The rest were killed or were missing and assumed dead. Despite heavy fighting and casualties on both sides, Japanese defeat was assured from the start. The Americans possessed an overwhelming superiority in arms and numbers. This, coupled with the impossibility of Japanese retreat or reinforcement, ensured that there was no plausible scenario in which the United States could have lost the battle.

The battle was immortalized by Joe Rosenthal's photograph of the raising of the U.S. flag on top of the 166 m (545 ft) Mount Suribachi by five Marines and one Navy Corpsman. The photograph records the second flag-raising on the mountain, which took place on the fifth day of the 35-day battle. The picture became the iconic image of the battle and has been heavily reproduced.

Iwo Jima was also the only U.S. Marine battle where the American casualties exceeded the Japanese, although Japanese combat deaths numbered three times that of the Americans.