Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Howitzer, Mark 61-6

LVTH6: General
Date of first acceptance 1957 Total acceptances 210
Manufacturers
  • Ingersoll
  • Pacific Car and Foundry Co.
Crew
7 men:
  • Commander in turret right rear
  • Gunner in turret right front
  • Loader in turret left rear
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Crew chief in hull right front
  • Two ammunition passers in hull
LVTH6: Dimensions
Combat weight (land) 86,600lbs
39,300kg		 Height over AAMG 160.5"
407.8cm
Length 356"
904cm		 Howitzer overhang forward 0"
Width 140.5"
356.9cm		 Tread 116.7"
296.4cm
Ground clearance, sides 11"
28cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 9.1psi
.64kg/cm²
LVTH6: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
105mm Howitzer M49 T172 in turret 151 rounds
(12 ready)		 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 21°/sec +59° to -4.1°
(manual)
.50cal M2HB MG Flexible in turret AA mount 1,050 rounds 360°
(manual)		 -- Manual
.30cal M1919A4E1 MG Coaxial to 105mm howitzer 2,000 rounds 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 21°/sec +59° to -4.1°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Telescope T150E2, periscope M23, and panoramic telescope T149E2 for gunner
Stabilizer
Elevation only
LVTH6: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled homogeneous steel
Maximum .625"
1.59cm		 Minimum .25"
.64cm
Turret
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness
Front 1"
2.5cm
Sides .75"
1.9cm
Top .25"
.64cm
LVTH6: Automotive
Engine Continental LV-1790-1; 12 cylinder, 4 cycle, 90° vee gasoline
Horsepower Net: 704@2,800rpm
Gross: 810@2,800rpm		 Torque Net: 1,440 ft-lb@2,000rpm
Gross: 1,610 ft-lb@2,200rpm		 Fuel capacity 456gal
1,730L
Transmission Allison CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
Steering Mechanical, wobble stick
Brakes Multiple plate, oil cooled
LVTH6: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsilastic 9 pairs of dual/track 5 dual/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
17-tooth rear drive Dual compensating at front of track None
LVTH6: Track
Center guide, single pin, steel with inverted grouser
Width 20.75"
52.71cm		 Pitch 5"
13cm		 Shoes/track 134 Ground contact length 229.25"
582.30cm
LVTH6: Performance
Max level road speed 30mph
48kph		 Max water speed 6.8mph
11kph
Max trench 144"
366cm		 Max grade 60%
Max vertical obstacle 36"
91cm		 Min turning diameter Pivot
Max fording depth Floats Cruising range ~190mi, roads
~57mi, water
~306km, roads
~92km, water

LVTH6 was the armored amphibian version of the LVTP5. The hulls were identical, but the H6 had a turret armed with a 105mm howitzer installed over the cargo compartment. The vehicle commander and loader had their own hatches in the turret. For water operations, the weight of the LVTH6 was reduced to 84,200lbs (38,200kg), and the howitzer ammunition was reduced to 100 rounds. Ground clearance under the center of the vehicle was 17" (43cm).

LVTH6s were modified to become LVTH6A1s, and the most obvious external difference is a large housing behind the turret which contained the modified engine air intake and exhaust system.

Top

                                                                                                         


References

  1. Hunnicutt, R.P. Bradley: A History of American Fighting and Support Vehicles. Navato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999. Reprinted with permission from Bradley, R.P. Hunnicutt ©1999, available from Presidio Press, 505B San Martin Drive, Suite 160, Navato, CA 94945.
  2. FMFM 9-2 Amphibian Vehicles. Washington, DC: Department of the Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps, 17 September 1964.
  3. Research, Investigation and Experimentation in the Field of Amphibian Vehicles. Kalamazoo, MI: Ingersoll Kalamazoo Division, Borg-Warner Corp., Dec 1957.
  4. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
  5. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  6. Estes, Kenneth W. Marines Under Armor. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 2000.
Last updated 6 Jan 2024.
Questions? Comments? Corrections? Email me
© Copyright 2001-24 Chris Conners