Kit, Italeri 6462, LVT2 Amtrac

MRC/ ITALERI


Product Specifications.

6462, LVT2 Amtrac. 1/35th-scale injection-molded styrene kit containing 160 styrene parts, four vinyl parts, one sheet of clear material, four water-slide decal markings schemes and ten pages of instructions in nine steps.


Introduction.

Italeri’s latest version of the US World War Two Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) series will allow the modeler to construct an early variation of the LVT2 as seen (for instance) during the assault on Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll, on November 20, 1943. This kit is based on the previously-released turreted LVT(A)1 and LVT(A)4 hulls, with common parts from the LVT4.


While this new release certainly fills in an important gap in the series (only the LVT1 and LVT3 are missing), it does so in a less than satisfying manner.


Tracks.

Probably the most problematic items in the kit are its tracks. They are provided as two lengths per side in a rather inflexible vinyl. While upon initial inspection they may “look” the part, a closer look will reveal that there is much to be desired. The first things of note are the two ejector pin marks seen between the curved grousers; the only way to deal with them is to add copious amounts of “mud” to the finished model or ignore them. Of course, the best (if expensive) option is to use the tracks from Hard Corps Models, recently reviewed here at ToT.


Suspension System.

The suspension system is riddled with dimensional errors, most probably due to poor research on the part of Italeri’s design team. The idler sprockets are the proper size (20.95-inches), and have 33 teeth as per specifications given in reference 4. The mistake is that the drive sprockets are also the same size (with the same number of teeth on the rim), when they should measure out to 23.49-inches, and have 37 teeth. The road-wheels should measure out to 12-inches, when they are closer to 9-inches, also according to reference 4. The road-wheels are quite plain and can be replaced with appropriately-sized styrene tube; the drive sprocket needs after-market help.


The “Torsilastic” suspension system arms capture the overall look of the prototype rather well, but they all lack some of the smaller details, such as the nuts seen where the wheel bearings were held together. The idler wheel mount has several openings that are properly-shaped, but that are not opened as they should be; these will need careful drill and file work to look better, but Italeri could have easily molded these in the proper configuration. The separate idler tension adjustment screws are nicely-done; the nuts that fasten their brackets to the pontoons are far too small and should be replaced with a larger, hex-shaped part using either Grandt Line castings or hex-shaped styrene rod, sliced “salami” style.


Hull.

The hull is comprised of a separate belly plate, rear plate and two side plates. These fit together nicely and are well-detailed. The roof plate contains the fenders (with nice stiffener and mount details), the upper bow and the engine deck, with separate and nicely-detailed access hatch lid. Fluid filler caps are molded in place as are panel lines. The latter are more reminiscent of the style seen on Matchbox kits, which translates into a certain lack of crispness and finesse. At the bow end, the round, tube-like fitting is a bumper, which in reality was nothing more than a length of pipe. It will need to have its ends drilled out for the proper appearance. Also note that the separate tow point (with a piece of the bumper molded along with it) must be faired in so it resembles a fitting welded to a single piece of pipe. The separate mooring cleats face side-to-side (after holes for them are opened up from below); these could also face fore-to-aft (there are other holes as well), so consult references for your particular build.


The separate rear plate features crisp exhaust port details; the separate tow cable is best discarded. The mount that accepts the tow clevises represents a type seen in photographs; there is no option for the tow hook also seen in this area. The track shrouds are excessively thick. An appliqué armor plate is also provided for the upper section of the bow; check references to see if the vehicle being modeled had this feature.


The crew cabin enclosure is the type seen on the first versions featuring glazed hatch lids on the front face and glazed view ports on the angled side plates. The modeler must cut the windows from a sheet of clear material that is provided to finish these assemblies. An appliqué armor plate is provided for the front face; it has spacers molded on its rear face, but some references show it sitting flush, so refer to photos if modeling a specific “Amtrac”. Head-lamps and guards, boat hooks, lift rings, antenna base, its shroud and other detail parts complete the area.


The outer pontoons feature weld bead details and step openings (two on each side); this is one of several configurations. Molded onto these assemblies are most of the “Torsilastic” suspension units, lower track skids, return roller brackets and rear idler outer mounting bracket. Separate suspension units are also added where appropriate.


Troop/Cargo Compartment.

This area is well-done featuring separate front and rear bulkheads, floor panel and drive shaft with frame. The crew access openings are, well, OPEN; so the bare interior of their compartment will be visible. Separate appliqué armor panels are provided for the inner surfaces, as are two platforms that mount across from the drive shaft frame to the inner hull wall. A multi-part skate rail is provided to mount the included weapons, in this case two .30 cal. M1919A4 Browning light machine-guns and one .50 cal. M2 Browning heavy machine gun. Two-part skate-rail mounts are provided for each weapon, as are separate ammunition boxes, and in the case of the M2, separate hand-grips. These weapons are really not up to today’s standards and are all best replaced.



Molding, Fit and Engineering.

Many of the parts in this kit come directly from the molds used for several previous variants of the LVT from Italeri. These have seen some wear, so there is a bit more flash present than one is used to. Likewise, some of the recessed panel seam details are soft; in one isolated instance a panel line seems to go a bit astray, direction-wise. The two track skids seen between the drive sprocket and the first road-wheel on each side of the pontoons have suffered a bit as well from the age of the molds as they are rough around the edges. The head-lamp guards, as well as the rear track shrouds have overly-thick front edges; I don’t think it would have been too much trouble for the kit’s designers to bevel the edges for a more scale-like appearance. The “wound wire” detail on the tow cable is so soft that the item looks like a very long, wet, tightly-wrapped piece of cloth (think: “wet towel”). There are recessed ejector pin marks on the outer surface of the hull side plate. Luckily, most of them will be hidden after construction.


The tracks are molded in an overly-stiff vinyl, with two lengths for each side; the latter feature means that two joints on each side will have to be “hidden”. All track shoes have two distinct ejector pin marks on each outer face; these are virtually impossible to clean. In addition, the complex shape of the end connectors is simply not conducive to being reproduced in the chosen fashion, or media.


Overall, the parts fit was good or very good, but careful clean-up is essential, especially in the area of the belly-to-hull-side join.


Accuracy and Details.

I have mentioned accuracy and detail issues throughout this review; there’s no sense in beating a dead horse!


Instructions.

These are typical for Italeri and are very clearly-rendered line drawings. They are multi-lingual, and include a parts map; colors are keyed to Testors’ Model Master enamel and acrylic paints.


Decals and Markings Information.

Water-slide decals are given to mark a total of four vehicles, and are printed by Zanchetti-Buccinasco in Italy. They are crisp and since all are white, there are no registration issues. Carrier film is thin, matte and cut close to the design edges. The following vehicles can be marked:

• White 227, unknown unit, Saipan 1944.
• White 48, 193rd Tank Battalion, Makin 1943.
• Unknown unit, New Guinea 1943.
• 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion, Tarawa 1943.

Two schemes are “generic”, while the two that have Tac numbers are not confirmed in the references listed below. On the other hand, while searching for confirmation of what Italeri provides, I found several other interesting schemes; these should keep after-market manufacturers busy!


Conclusion.

This kit is very “old school”, and has some major accuracy and detail issues, most concerning the tracks and running gear. Much work and some after-market wonderment will be needed to make an accurate replica of this still very desirable subject. Additional research and some more work will yield a replica of the modified LVT(A)2 if the modeler wishes to pursue that path. But, overall, what’s in the box disappoints somewhat. And that’s a real shame as the subject matter is very interesting.


Recommended with reservations.


Frank V. “Curley Stooge” De Sisto


References consulted for this review included, but were not limited to, the following books:

1. “LVTs at the Front”, Allied and Axis 8, Ampersand Publishing, by D. Harper & P.Stansell.
2. “Amphibie LVT2 Buffalo”, Steelmasters 20, by H. Cance.
3. “Les Amphibies LVT2 Buffalo Anglais”, Steelmasters 21, by H. Cance.
4. “Stuart, a History of the American Light Tank”, Presidio, by R.P. Hunnicutt.
5. “Across the Reef, the Amphibious Tracked Vehicle at War”, Blandford, by V.J. Croizat.
6. “Amtracks in Action”, Squadron Armor 31, by J. Mesko.
7. “US Amtracks and Amphibians at War 1941-45”, Concord 7032, by S.J. Zaloga & G. Balin.
8. “Armour of the Pacific War”, Osprey Vanguard 35, by S.J. Zaloga.
9. “Amtracs: US Amphibious Assault Vehicles”, Osprey Vanguard 45, by S.J. Zaloga.


Model Rectifier Corp. is the North American distributor of Italeri kits; available from retail and mail order shops.


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