Tracked troop carrier LTV
The LTV (Landing Vehicle Tracked) tracked vehicle, also commonly known as the Amtrak (AMTRACK - AMphibious TRACKtor - floating tractor) - is a whole family of amphibious tracked unarmored and armored carriers, as well as fire support vehicles or floating tanksthat were created in the United States during the 1930s and during the Second World War.
The multipurpose transporter, which gave life to the entire family of these combat vehicles, was created by D. Roebling in 1935-1937. In 1938-1941, by the order of the US Navy, Robbling developed a military version of this conveyor, which was produced in various versions in 1941-1945. Over the years of the Second World War, more than 18,5 thousand of these tracked amphibious assault vehicles were released. So, from 1941 to 1945. US businesses have launched 15 498 unarmored floating transporters, from 1943 to 1945 year - 450 armored transporters, 509 amphibious tanks and 2159 fire support vehicles.
Tracked amphibious assault vehicles LTV and other military equipment based on them were widely used by the US Army and Marine Corps from 1942 in the battles of World War II. First of all, this technique was used in the Pacific in battles with the Japanese. On a much smaller scale, these amphibians were used in Europe, for example, during the Italian campaign, as well as battles in Western Europe, but not during Operation Overlord, but only to overcome inland water barriers (when crossing the Rhine). LTV also managed to take part in the Korean War, but by the middle of the 1950-s had been completely decommissioned. They were replaced by floating amphibious armored personnel carriers of the new generation LVT-5. At the same time, LVT cars in significant quantities were exported to the Allied Americans of the country, in some they served up to the 1970-s.
The multipurpose transporter, which gave life to the entire family of these combat vehicles, was created by D. Roebling in 1935-1937. In 1938-1941, by the order of the US Navy, Robbling developed a military version of this conveyor, which was produced in various versions in 1941-1945. Over the years of the Second World War, more than 18,5 thousand of these tracked amphibious assault vehicles were released. So, from 1941 to 1945. US businesses have launched 15 498 unarmored floating transporters, from 1943 to 1945 year - 450 armored transporters, 509 amphibious tanks and 2159 fire support vehicles.
Tracked amphibious assault vehicles LTV and other military equipment based on them were widely used by the US Army and Marine Corps from 1942 in the battles of World War II. First of all, this technique was used in the Pacific in battles with the Japanese. On a much smaller scale, these amphibians were used in Europe, for example, during the Italian campaign, as well as battles in Western Europe, but not during Operation Overlord, but only to overcome inland water barriers (when crossing the Rhine). LTV also managed to take part in the Korean War, but by the middle of the 1950-s had been completely decommissioned. They were replaced by floating amphibious armored personnel carriers of the new generation LVT-5. At the same time, LVT cars in significant quantities were exported to the Allied Americans of the country, in some they served up to the 1970-s.
One of the first prototypes of LTV
Tracked Amphibious Vehicle LTV
For amphibious operations at the Pacific theater of war in the USA, floating LVT (1942), LVT (1943), LVT (1) and LVT (2) LVT four main modifications were created and launched into mass production in the US in 3-4. All of them were unarmored or partially armored vehicles, the movement of which on the water surface was ensured by rewinding tracks. To support and fire support paratroopers based on the LVT (2) and LVT (4) transporters, American designers created the LVT (A) (1) and LVT (A) (4) amphibious tanks.
The development process of LVT amphibious tracked vehicles seriously accelerated the events of World War II. At the same time, amphibious tanks, created on the basis of conveyors, were similar in design to the undercarriage, hull, buoyancy, components and assemblies used to floating conveyors. The difference was only in the availability of armor and artillery weapons (cannon or howitzer) mounted in the turret, as well as the layout of the main components and assemblies. For example, if in floating transporters, due to the presence of a folding stern, the power plant was located in the front, then on all lightweight amphibious tanks the engines were in the stern.
The hulls of amphibious transporters were designed in such a way as to facilitate their movement by water as much as possible. At the same time, of all the floating conveyors, only LVT (A) 2 had a reservation. Cases of all other conveyors were made of ordinary steel unarmoured sheets. Floating conveyors could not have any weapons or were armed with several machine guns. Their capacity, including the three crew members, reached 24-27 people. The carrying capacity of tracked amphibious assault vehicles ranged from 11 to 16,5 tons. The ground pressure was at the level of 0,5-0,6 kg / cm.
The development process of LVT amphibious tracked vehicles seriously accelerated the events of World War II. At the same time, amphibious tanks, created on the basis of conveyors, were similar in design to the undercarriage, hull, buoyancy, components and assemblies used to floating conveyors. The difference was only in the availability of armor and artillery weapons (cannon or howitzer) mounted in the turret, as well as the layout of the main components and assemblies. For example, if in floating transporters, due to the presence of a folding stern, the power plant was located in the front, then on all lightweight amphibious tanks the engines were in the stern.
The hulls of amphibious transporters were designed in such a way as to facilitate their movement by water as much as possible. At the same time, of all the floating conveyors, only LVT (A) 2 had a reservation. Cases of all other conveyors were made of ordinary steel unarmoured sheets. Floating conveyors could not have any weapons or were armed with several machine guns. Their capacity, including the three crew members, reached 24-27 people. The carrying capacity of tracked amphibious assault vehicles ranged from 11 to 16,5 tons. The ground pressure was at the level of 0,5-0,6 kg / cm.
LVT (1)
The hulls of amphibious tanks, created on the basis of the LVT amphibious assault vehicles, were created using the electric welding method; they were made of armor plates with a thickness from 6,3 mm to 12,7 mm. The LVT (A) series floating tanks could be armed with an 37-mm cannon or an 75-mm howitzer mounted in an open turret, and several machine guns. Crews of amphibious tanks consisted of 6 people, their combat mass ranged from 14 to 18 tons. To ensure reliable buoyancy, metal pontoons were attached to the sides of the hulls of all amphibious tanks for almost the entire length of them. On the outside, they provided for the presence of rectangular cutouts designed for ease of embarkation and disembarkation of the crew. Inside, these pontoons were divided by partitions into separate compartments. The need to ensure sufficient displacement and deployment on board the landing made the LVT quite cumbersome. The length of the conveyors was about 8 meters, width - 3,3 meters, height - 3 meters.
Powertrain amphibious transporters consisted of the main clutch, 5-speed gearbox, double differential, which was used as a steering mechanism, as well as final gears. The main feature of the American transporters and light amphibious tanks was the absence of rudders and the propeller. The movement of amphibians both on the water surface and on land was carried out with the help of caterpillars, whose tracks, having a width of 360 mm, were equipped with sharply protruding removable blades. The driver could turn the car using braking or stopping one of the tracks.
Powertrain amphibious transporters consisted of the main clutch, 5-speed gearbox, double differential, which was used as a steering mechanism, as well as final gears. The main feature of the American transporters and light amphibious tanks was the absence of rudders and the propeller. The movement of amphibians both on the water surface and on land was carried out with the help of caterpillars, whose tracks, having a width of 360 mm, were equipped with sharply protruding removable blades. The driver could turn the car using braking or stopping one of the tracks.
LVT (2)
The LVT (1) and LVT (2) tracked amphibious assault vehicles, manufactured in 1942, are open-top, unarmored conveyors. Between themselves, they differed in combat weight, dimensions (in length), power plant and carrying capacity. Their mass was 11,1 and 12,5 tons, respectively, the power of 146 engines. with. and 250 l. with., carrying capacity from 2 to 3 tons, maximum speed on land 20 km / h and 32 km / h, cruising range 360 and 320 kilometers on land and 100 and 95 kilometers on water. On these models of conveyors engines were installed in the stern. With the power transmission (transmission), located in the nose, they were connected with a propeller shaft, which ran along the entire machine.
The first LVT transporters (1) were armed with two 7,62-mm machine guns. But even before the battle for Tarawa, a number of transporters were equipped with two large-caliber 12,7-mm machine guns and, in addition, 7,62-mm machine guns at the stern. They did not have reservations, and their thin body practically did not play any protective role. Conveyors showed good throughput when driving on sandy surfaces, but had certain problems in overcoming hard-surface areas. The correct operation of the first conveyors was often problematic, and the cars of the first releases suffered from fairly frequent breakdowns. Crews and paratroopers almost tested the machine directly in combat conditions.
The first LVT transporters (1) were armed with two 7,62-mm machine guns. But even before the battle for Tarawa, a number of transporters were equipped with two large-caliber 12,7-mm machine guns and, in addition, 7,62-mm machine guns at the stern. They did not have reservations, and their thin body practically did not play any protective role. Conveyors showed good throughput when driving on sandy surfaces, but had certain problems in overcoming hard-surface areas. The correct operation of the first conveyors was often problematic, and the cars of the first releases suffered from fairly frequent breakdowns. Crews and paratroopers almost tested the machine directly in combat conditions.
LVT (3)
The second version of the LVT (2) transporter was distinguished by the presence of an improved transmission, which they decided to take from the light tank M3A1, as well as the new chassis, which made driving on a solid surface more confident than LVT (1). The LVT (2) transporters were armed with four machine guns, while the upper part of their hull was armored, which led to an increase in mass to 12,5 tons and a reduction in carrying capacity to 2,36 tons. Also, this version of the conveyor received a radio station.
For the most part, LVT (3) transporters were not armored and differed from the LVT (2) transporter mainly with a new power plant, which consisted of two Cadillac automobile engines, which had somewhat lower power (220 hp) and were in communication with the appearance of a folding ramp in front of the landing vehicle. The armament of the LVT transporters (3) consisted of two 7,62-mm machine guns, the weight was 11 tons, carrying capacity - 3,6 tons, the maximum speed on land was 37 km / h, and on the water - 12 km / h. In 1949, all LVT transporters (3) were equipped with a roof, receiving a new designation LVT (3) c.
For the most part, LVT (3) transporters were not armored and differed from the LVT (2) transporter mainly with a new power plant, which consisted of two Cadillac automobile engines, which had somewhat lower power (220 hp) and were in communication with the appearance of a folding ramp in front of the landing vehicle. The armament of the LVT transporters (3) consisted of two 7,62-mm machine guns, the weight was 11 tons, carrying capacity - 3,6 tons, the maximum speed on land was 37 km / h, and on the water - 12 km / h. In 1949, all LVT transporters (3) were equipped with a roof, receiving a new designation LVT (3) c.
LVT (4)
The LVT floating conveyor (4) was an improved version of the LVT (2). Its capacity has grown to 4-s tons, and its capacity - to 30 people. The star-mounted Continental engine installed on it was the same as on the LVT (2) transporter and was located in front of the combat vehicle. Armament was represented by 4 machine gun caliber 7,62-mm. The aft hull detail as well as on the LVT (3) conveyor was made folding. The raising and lowering of the aft ramp was carried out with the help of a winch. The cab was covered with removable armor plates, for this reason the mass increased to 16,5 tons, the speed of movement over land fell to 24 km / h, and by water - to 11 km / h. The power reserve of the LVT (4) conveyor was 240 and 160 kilometers, respectively.
LVT (A) 1 and LVT (A) 4 Tanks
The LVT (A) 1 lightweight tank, unlike the LVT2 transporter, on the basis of which it was created, had a closed, fully armored hull and a rotating turret, which was borrowed from the lightweight MXXUMX tank. An 3-mm cannon and an 37-mm machine gun coupled to it were installed in the turret. 7,62-mm gun received a gyroscopic stabilizer in the vertical plane of guidance. As an additional weapon, two anti-aircraft machine guns were installed on the amphibious tank, located in the rear part of the hull (behind the turret). Machine guns were installed in the turret. The maximum thickness of the armor of the LVT (A) 37 lightweight tank was 1-mm.
The aft hatches on the tank were intended for embarkation and disembarkation of the crew and landing force, as well as for loading various cargoes. The layout of components and assemblies in the floating tank remained the same as on the LVT2 conveyor, that is, the engine was located in the stern. Due to the short period of design work and the excellent organization of production, Borg Warner was able to quickly produce 509 amphibious LVT (A) 1 tanks in a short time. The mass of the combat vehicle was 15 tons, the crew - 6 people. The 250-strong engine provided the 32 km / h on land and 12 km / h on the water to a lightweight floating tank.
The aft hatches on the tank were intended for embarkation and disembarkation of the crew and landing force, as well as for loading various cargoes. The layout of components and assemblies in the floating tank remained the same as on the LVT2 conveyor, that is, the engine was located in the stern. Due to the short period of design work and the excellent organization of production, Borg Warner was able to quickly produce 509 amphibious LVT (A) 1 tanks in a short time. The mass of the combat vehicle was 15 tons, the crew - 6 people. The 250-strong engine provided the 32 km / h on land and 12 km / h on the water to a lightweight floating tank.
LVT (A) 1
The LVT (A) 4 tank was designed based on the LVT amphibious transporter (4). The open turret installed on it, which was borrowed from the M8 self-propelled unit, had a short-barreled 75-mm howitzer, whose initial velocity of the projectile was 381 m / s, and the firing range was 8680 meters. In addition to the howitzer, the light amphibious tank was armed with 3 machine guns, two of which were installed in an open turret in special installations, and another one in a ball mount located in the front sheet of the turret box. The hull of the LVT (A) 4 light amphibious tank was armored, the maximum armor thickness of the turret was 25,4 mm, and the hull 13 mm. The weight of the amphibious tank in comparison with the predecessor LVT (A) 1 increased immediately to 18 tons. The ground speed dropped to 24 km / h, and by water to 11 km.
The layout of the main units of the power plant and transmission in a light floating tank LVT (A) 4 differed from the layout on the landing conveyor LVT (4), namely: the engine compartment was in the back, it was located the same engine as the LVT (4) who developed power 250 l. with. Light tank received a radio station. A total of about 1890 light tanks of LVT (A) 4 amphibious tanks were released. The following modification of this combat vehicle - LVT (A) 5 differed only in the presence of an electric drive of the rotation of the turret and stabilized by a howitzer. This version of the light tank was released in a series of 269 units.
An attempt to strengthen the armament of a light amphibious tank LVT (A) 4 led to the development of a modification of the combat vehicle with a turret from the M24 tank. In January, 1945, the first prototype was ready, which differed from its predecessor and the new hull superstructure. The improved tank proved to be quite confident in the tests, but due to the end of the Second World War it did not set out for mass production.
The layout of the main units of the power plant and transmission in a light floating tank LVT (A) 4 differed from the layout on the landing conveyor LVT (4), namely: the engine compartment was in the back, it was located the same engine as the LVT (4) who developed power 250 l. with. Light tank received a radio station. A total of about 1890 light tanks of LVT (A) 4 amphibious tanks were released. The following modification of this combat vehicle - LVT (A) 5 differed only in the presence of an electric drive of the rotation of the turret and stabilized by a howitzer. This version of the light tank was released in a series of 269 units.
An attempt to strengthen the armament of a light amphibious tank LVT (A) 4 led to the development of a modification of the combat vehicle with a turret from the M24 tank. In January, 1945, the first prototype was ready, which differed from its predecessor and the new hull superstructure. The improved tank proved to be quite confident in the tests, but due to the end of the Second World War it did not set out for mass production.
LVT (A) 4
During the years of the Second World War, in the United States, about 18,5 thousand tracked amphibious assault vehicles were produced. They were especially used in the Pacific. In this case, light floating tanks LVT, in essence, played the role of self-propelled artillery, supporting the paratroopers with their fire. Due to poor booking, large size and limited maneuverability on land, these combat vehicles could not be successfully used in combat operations conducted by ground forces. Mainly, transporters and tanks at their base were used in amphibious operations to capture and hold bridgeheads on the seashore.
In the 1944-1945, a number of amphibious tracked vehicles were used by the Allies in Europe, in particular, they were used in Germany when crossing the Rhine River in March of the 1945 of the year. Organizationally, these combat vehicles were consolidated into battalions of floating armored personnel carriers and tanks. After the end of the Second World War in the United States, work continued on the creation of new tracked amphibious vehicles for the Marine Corps units.
Along with this, in the armament of some companies and battalions of floating transporters of armored troops, as well as in the USCM, LVT transporters (4) and LVT / A (4) and LVT (5) amphibious tanks continued to remain as limited standard combat vehicles. They managed to take part in the hostilities in Korea, in particular during the landing of the amphibious assault forces in September 1950. In addition, they were used when crossing the river. A large number of tracked floating transporters were later dismissed from the US Army and transferred to the armies of the allied capitalist states, including France and the United Kingdom.
In the 1944-1945, a number of amphibious tracked vehicles were used by the Allies in Europe, in particular, they were used in Germany when crossing the Rhine River in March of the 1945 of the year. Organizationally, these combat vehicles were consolidated into battalions of floating armored personnel carriers and tanks. After the end of the Second World War in the United States, work continued on the creation of new tracked amphibious vehicles for the Marine Corps units.
Along with this, in the armament of some companies and battalions of floating transporters of armored troops, as well as in the USCM, LVT transporters (4) and LVT / A (4) and LVT (5) amphibious tanks continued to remain as limited standard combat vehicles. They managed to take part in the hostilities in Korea, in particular during the landing of the amphibious assault forces in September 1950. In addition, they were used when crossing the river. A large number of tracked floating transporters were later dismissed from the US Army and transferred to the armies of the allied capitalist states, including France and the United Kingdom.
Information sources:
http://pro-tank.ru/bronetehnika-usa/plavaush-tanki/160-plav-lvt
http://all-tanks.ru/content/gusenichnaya-desantnaya-mashina-lvt
http://www.telenir.net/transport_i_aviacija/bronetankovaja_tehnika_armii_kapitalisticheskih_gosudarstv/p17.php
http://litresp.ru/chitat/ru/Н/nersesyan-mihail-grigorjevich/bronetankovaya-tehnika-armij-kapitalisticheskih-gosudarstv/17
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