The legacy of the LVT changed for the better with the introduction of the LVT-4 ("Buffalo IV") of 1943. The LVT-4 relocated the powerplant to the front hull just ahead of the crew cab, which retained its position at the forward portion of the vehicle. This kept the rear area of the hull completely free for the transportation of men, equipment and - perhaps most importantly - light vehicles and artillery systems. Access was thoroughly improved with the addition of a rear folding ramp that could be activated from within the confines of vehicle itself. With a rear ramp in place, troops could then readily exit the vehicle under some relative safety using the forward hull of the LTV-4 as an armored shield of sorts. Similarly, JEEPS and towed artillery pieces (up to 57mm in caliber) could be offloaded quickly after the LVT-4 had made landfall. Some 30 combat ready troops could be carried into battle from their US Navy assault motherships. In all, 8,351 LVT-4s left production lines for war, easily making this production mark the decisive LVT model.
At its core, the LVT-4 was largely similar to the LVT-2 before it with the exception of the new layout arrangement and a revised driver's instrument panel as well as additional side pintle mounts for optional machine guns. A later production model, the LVT(A)-4, went on to fit the open-topped turret assembly of the Gun Motor Carriage M8 with its powerful 75mm M2/ M3 main gun effectively evolving the LVT-4 into something akin to an amphibious light tank for fire support duty. This gun system was mounted to the rear of the hull and protected over in armor and proved popular in the island-hopping campaigns of the South Pacific where determined - yet ultimately fanatical - Japanese Army soldiers were a well dug-in foe. 1,890 examples of the LVT(A)-4 were produced through 1944.
The LVT-4(F) "Sea Serpent" was a British conversion of the LVT-4 model to accept a pair of "Wasp" flamethrowers for actions in the Far East Theater. The flamethrowers were seated on flexible mounts at the left and right forward sections of the loading area while a single machine fitting was set in a semi-armored rounded "tub" at the stern. Like all other LVT developments, the gunnery crew and passengers were in the open-topped portion of the vehicle loading area but the LVT-4(F) was nary used by the British Army before the war ended in August of 1945. The British also based their "Amphibian, tracked, 4-Ton GS Neptune" model on the LVT-4 though little production ensued. Similar designs included the "Sealion" amphibious recovery vehicle and the "Turtle", a mobile workshop platform.
The LVT(A)-3 designation was reserved for an armored version of the LVT-4 but these were never sent into production. The LVT-3 "Bushmaster" designation signified a somewhat drastically-altered LVT appearing in 1945. A dual engine arrangement was utilized that mounted the powerplant on side hull sponsons. The rear ramp of the LVT-4 was retained. Development of this model was handled by Borg Warner Corporation of Michigan and saw production reach 2,964 examples before the end of the war and were first utilized in the assault on Okinawa in April of 1945.
The LVT(A)-5 was produced in 269 examples first appearing in 1945. It was essentially an LVT(A)-4 with a fully-powered turret emplacement complete with a gyrostabilized howitzer. Tests carried out by the United States military were used to further prove the adaptability of the LVT-4 chassis with alternative armament arrangements but many of these fell to naught. One such idea attempted to fit rocket launchers along the hull sides.
The British fitted their versions with 1 x 20mm Polsten cannon with 2 x 0.30 caliber Browning machine guns. British LVT4s could also deliver their diminutive "Universal Carrier" tracked armored vehicles as well as 6-pounder towed artillery pieces to the fray. As part of the British Commonwealth, Canada also saw use of the LTV series in their war time inventories - fitting a Ronson flamethrower to the forward hull.
LTVs of all types went on to serve with the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army - many serving in operations throughout the Pacific Theater of War. LTVs were first used by American Marines in the invasion of Guadalcanal and are most closely associated with their actions in World War 2. LTVs did see some operational service in European campaigns - most notably during the Scheldt and Rhine operations of 1944-1945 - but largely remained a mainstay for US Marines in the Pacific. British "Buffalos" were used in the crossing of the Elbe River in late war actions in Europe.
Between 1941 and 1945, over 18,600 LVTs were produced.
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