Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Mark 11-5
LVT1: General
Date of first acceptance July 1941 Total acceptances 1225
Manufacturers
  • Roebling
  • Food Machinery Corp.
  • Borg-Warner Corp.
  • Graham-Paige
  • St. Louis Car Co.
Crew
3 men
+ 24 passengers
LVT1: Dimensions
Combat weight 32,500lbs
14,700kg		 Height 97.5"
248cm
Length 258"
655cm		 Width 118"
300cm
LVT1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition
Two .30cal M1919 MGs Skate mounts around cargo area 6000 rounds
LVT1: Armor
None
LVT1: Automotive
Engine Hercules WXLC-3; 6 cylinder
Horsepower 146 Fuel capacity 80gal
300L
Transmission Spicer
Steering Steering levers
LVT1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Unsprung 11/track 2/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
Front drive Adjustable at rear of track None
LVT1: Track
Width 10.25"
26.04cm
LVT1: Performance
Max level road speed 12mph
19kph		 Max water speed 6.1mph
9.8kph
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. Since the LVT1 was unarmored, it was most useful as a ship-to-shore cargo ferry, and it could haul 4500lbs (2000kg) at a time. LVT1 was unofficially known as Alligator.

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References

  1. 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.

  2. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.

  3. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.

  4. 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.

  5. 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 22 Mar 2001.

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© Copyright 2001 Chris Conners