Research Help for Italeri LTV(a)-1

Thanks for the picks and info!

The Verlinden sets are difficult to come by, they may be a good startign point but leave something to be desired as far as finess in detail goes.  Crew seats are wrong as is the engine (9-cylinder 985 provided, should be a 7-cylinder 670). 

Tiger Model Designs has some excellent detail parts for the M3/M5 turret that are easily applied to an LVTA1 turret, and not too costly.

Another book that is readily available is Periscope Film LLC's TM 9-775, essentially a reprint of the original Technical Manual.  I come across them on eBay for between $17 - $20.   

The link is to my PhotoBucket album of photos of the LVTA1 at the WWII Korea LVT Museum taken several years back.

http://s10.photobucket.com/user/deattilio/library/LVT%20Museum/LVTA1

The LVT turret was trunkated in the rear due to clearance required for the rear machine gunners.

The Verlinden set for the (A)1 is rarer than the proverbial hen's teeth.  I've been collecting bits for an (A)1 and an (A)4 for a couple of years and I've never seen one.

If you can still get hold of them, I suggest these books.

Project LVT's: Amtanks, vol 1 by David E Harper.  Published by Letterman Publications, modelmecca.com.  Vol 1 covers the "Amtanks", vol 2 covers the  LVT2 and (A)2.  These are modelling build books, although using the old Trakz conversions.  Some useful real vehicle photos, but not a lot on interiors. 

Letterman also published a separate set of exterior line drawings for these vehicles.  I got copies of both books and the plans on eBay.

The Osprey New Vanguard book on USMC Amtracs isn't much use.  Lots of history but not modelling-oriented.

Squadron-Signal do at least one "In Action" book on LVT's.  I don't have a copy. so I can't comment on its usefulness.  It is definitely still available.

I know the (A)1 turret was not identical to the M5 turret, but it was very very similar. How different would an M5 interior be, accepting no co-ax MG and ammo stowage?

The engine compartment and drivers compartments will be common on 3 of the 4 types... only the troop and fighting compartments are different on those... for another idea of the turret interior, look at the Academy M3A1 kit or perhaps the AFV Club M3A3/M5 kits.

I just found that out...been looking for an hour. Looking at the (a) 4 on Ebay. At least it give me some idea of what the insides look like.

Thanks Everybody!

Of course Stik all 3 detail sets are discontinued. Only the LVT2 and LVT(a)4 detail sets can be found on Ebay.

You can probably get away with the (a)4 set and use the Trakz detail set to get a little creative.

i just used a simple search... nothing too specific:

verlinden 1/35 lvt 

Thanks Stik! All I could find were LTV (a)-4s. I see why my niece and nephew make fun of me for using Bing!

Ok I'm not senile yet... A quick google shows they do a set for each version of the Italeri LVTs... -2, (a)1, -4, -4A...

stikpusher

I thought verlinden did an interior set for that kit. 

How much are you looking to detail? The turret interior? The machine gunner positions? The drivers compartment? All of the above?

 

Stik the Verlinden set was for the LVT A-4 I believe.

This web page has some pics of the interior and vehcile specs

http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/lvta1.html

coot

I thought verlinden did an interior set for that kit. 

How much are you looking to detail? The turret interior? The machine gunner positions? The drivers compartment? All of the above?