Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Mark 11-8

LVT1: General
Date of first acceptance July 1941 Total acceptances 1,225
Manufacturers
  • Roebling
  • Food Machinery Corp.
  • Borg-Warner Corp.
  • Graham-Paige
  • St. Louis Car Co.
Crew
3 men
+ 24 passengers
LVT1: Dimensions
Weight, light 17,300lbs
7,850kg		 Height 97.5"
248cm
Length 258"
655cm		 Width 118"
300cm
Tread 108"
274cm		 Ground clearance 18"
46cm
Ground pressure, zero penetration 139psi
9.76kg/cm²
LVT1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition
Two .30cal M1919 MGs Skate mounts around cargo area 6,000 rounds
LVT1: Armor
None
LVT1: Automotive
Engine Hercules WXLC-3; 6 cylinder, 4 cycle, inline gasoline
Horsepower 146 Fuel capacity 80gal
300L
Transmission Spicer, 3 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Clutch-brake, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical
LVT1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Unsprung None None
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
Rear drive Adjustable blocks at front of track None
LVT1: Track
Width 10.25"
26.04cm		 Pitch 3.26"
8.28cm		 Shoes/track 79 Ground contact length 140"
360cm
LVT1: Performance
Max level road speed 12mph
19kph		 Max water speed 6.1mph
9.8kph
Max trench 64"
160cm		 Max vertical obstacle 18"
46cm
Max grade 38% Angle of approach 46°
Angle of departure 58° Max fording depth Floats
Cruising range ~150mi, roads
~60mi, water
~240km, roads
~100km, water

Developed from a swamp rescue vehicle in use in Florida's Everglades, the main identification point for the LVT1 is that its cab is placed right at the bow of the vehicle. Early versions of the LVT1 had the 3 driver's cab windows spaced farther apart than later versions. The tracks of the LVTs had large grousers attached that propelled the vehicles through the water. The LVT1's tracks incorporated sealed roller bearings which ran in welded molybdenum suspension rails in the bottom of sponsons, and these bearings supported the weight of the vehicle. Adjustable idler blocks mounted on spring-loaded jacks were positioned at the front of the sponsons to take up slack in the track. Each track possessed 316 roller bearings and seventy-nine 3"- (7.6cm-) high, 10.25"- (26.04cm-) wide, curved grouser cleats; when sunk to 4" (10cm) of ground penetration these tracks yielded a ground pressure of 7.8psi (.55kg/cm²). The top run of the tracks was cushioned by rubber mats made from conveyor belt. Since the LVT1 was unarmored, it was most useful as a ship-to-shore cargo ferry, and it could haul 4,500lbs (2,000kg) at a time. LVT1 was unofficially known as Alligator.

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References

  1. Research, Investigation and Experimentation in the Field of Amphibian Vehicles. Kalamazoo, MI: Ingersoll Kalamazoo Division, Borg-Warner Corp., Dec 1957.
  2. Hunnicutt, R.P. Stuart: A History of the American Light Tank, volume 1. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1992. Reprinted with permission from Stuart, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1992, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  3. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  4. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  5. Tank Data, vol. 2. Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD: US Army Ordnance School, Jul 1958.
  6. TM 9-2800 Standard Military Motor Vehicles. Washington, DC: War Dept., 1 Sep 1943.
  7. Alexander, Joseph H. "Marine Corps Armor Operations in World War II." Camp Colt to Desert Storm: The History of U.S. Armored Forces. Eds. George F. Hofmann, Donn A. Starry. USA: University Press of Kentucky, 1999.
  8. Siemers, Cary. "USA's Landing Vehicle Tracked." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 25 Nov 2000. 16 Jan 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/LandingVehicleTracked.htm>.
Last updated 3 Feb 2023.
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© Copyright 2001-23 Chris Conners