LVTP7

I truly hated the M85 .50 caliber machine gun. I had one on my M60A3TTS. I couldn't wait to get back onto an M1A1 and get my Ma Deuce back.

I didn’t know if you had any views of the driver’s station but it was a tad different as well.  Although I do not possess a Data Plate from an LVTP7 I do have one from an LVTPX12 which I would guess would be similar; the data plate was located in the TC station about foot&half below hatch lip.

My ballot would be for a Marine finish.  I’m sure you are familiar with the older camouflage patterns as they carried over into the LVTP7A1 service time.  I have several older magazines and slides that provide a finish that was common on Marine vehicles before the application of multicolor camouflage patterns and look like a throwback to the LVTP5.  Although solid green the large tac-numbers and serial # in yellow along with the red and white steps/mooring cleats make it slightly colorful.

I also have pictures of Thai LVTP7s in a multi-shade green camouflage with the Thai MC emblem painted on the bow if that perks your interest.

Those picture are awesome very clear. I guess I will have to go off the picture I found of that cage. But those turret picture will help out a lot. Also I am still deciding on going foreign or Marine. That should be a hard choice. I am still trying to figure out a camo scheme for the time period the LVTP-7 was in service. I seen desert and green, but the winter camo caught my eye. Thanks again for the pictures

I dug through the references I have unpacked and did not have much luck.  I scanned the only page describing the turret from an early TM and it does not go into much detail.  I also managed to browse through my files and came across images that were taken by the Mobile Training Team that was fortunate enough to get to Brazil and assist with their LVTP7s.  Disregard the engine, it is evident that is not original but the turret appears to be minimally (if at all) modified.  From the stories passed on from older Marines concerning this turret they hated and thought the later Electric-drive was a God-send.  Apparently it was a pain in the butt when the electrics failed and there was a handle to pump to build pressure in the system in order to traverse/elevate turret and weapon but it was a tiring process of pump-turn pump-turn pump-turn as the system bled pressure rapidly when traversing/elevating.

I also came across my Fleet-Wide Training Manual for the transition from the LVTP7 to the LVTP7A1 which had considerably more data/info concerning the turret.  But unfortunately it is not the same as the older hydraulic-electric version.  I only got to play with one of these for a couple days but that M85 could spew some rounds!

I have not found  anything yet. I know the turret is hydraulic, so maybe it as to do with the turret maybe? Do you the nomenclature for that turret?

I dug through my photos and references and although this is in the LVTP7 variant I could not find any clear pictures or explanations.  All the photos were essentially from the exact same perspective as the one you have posted.  The couple photos from other angles I found only had the cage in an extreme corner of the image.

Even digging through couple of the original LVTP7 TMs in my stash provided no assistance.

If you discover the answer be sure to post it and the source.

This photo may show better.

I will dig through some of my stuff and see if I can come across an answer.  Unfortunately I did not take many pictures of the couple LVTP7s I got to tinker with or any of the Thai vehicles when I had the opportunity.  The LVT in the picture is an LVTPX12 and the cage may be a quirk to that variant which never made it to the LVTP7.

Sorry  I thought I had attached the image to the post.

Behind what cage?