Landing Vehicle, Tracked (Armored), Mark 11-9

LVT(A)1: General
Date of first acceptance 1944 Total acceptances 509
Manufacturer Food Machinery Corp. Crew
6 men:
  • Commander/loader in turret right
  • Gunner in turret left
  • Driver in hull left front
  • Assistant driver in hull right front
  • 2 machine gunners in hull rear
LVT(A)1: Dimensions
Combat weight 32,800lbs
14,900kg		 Height 121"
307cm
Length 313"
795cm		 Gun overhang forward 0"
Width 128"
325cm		 Tread 113.5"
288.3cm
Ground clearance, hard surface 18"
46cm		 Fire height 107"
272cm
Turret ring diameter 46.75"
118.7cm		 Ground pressure, zero penetration 9.1psi
.64kg/cm
LVT(A)1: Armament
Type Mount Ammunition Traverse Max traverse rate Elevation
37mm Gun M6 M44 in turret 104 rounds 360°
(manual and hydraulic)		 24°/sec +25° to -10°
(manual)
.30cal M1919A5 MG Coaxial to 37mm gun 6,000 rounds 360°
(manual hydraulic)		 24°/sec +25° to -10°
(manual)
Two .30cal M1919A4 MG Mark 21 Scarff mounts behind turret 360°
(manual)		 -- +70° to -15°
(manual)
Aiming equipment
Periscope M4 with telescope M40 for gunner
Stabilizer
Elevation only
LVT(A)1: Armor
Assembly
Welding
Hull
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Upper front (cab) .5"
1.3cm		 30°
Middle front .25"
.64cm		 83°
Lower front .25"
.64cm		 35° to 90°
Sides .25"
.64cm		 0°
Pontoons 12-gauge mild steel 0°
Upper rear .25"
.64cm		 0°
Lower rear .25"
.64cm		 60°
Top .25"
.64cm		 90°
Floor 10-gauge mild steel 90°
Turret
Rolled homogeneous steel
Location Thickness Angle from vertical
Gun shield (cast) 2.0"
5.1cm		 0° to 14°
Front .5"
1.3cm		 10°
Sides .5"
1.3cm		 0°
Rear .5"
1.3cm		 0°
Top .25"
.64cm		 75° to 90°
LVT(A)1: Automotive
Engine Continental W-670-9A; 7 cylinder, 4 cycle, static radial gasoline
Horsepower Net: 250@2,400rpm
Gross: 262@2,400rpm		 Torque Net: 584 ft-lb@1,800rpm
Gross: 590 ft-lb@1,700rpm		 Fuel capacity 106gal
401L
Transmission Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Controlled differential, steering levers
Brakes Mechanical, external contracting
LVT(A)1: Suspension
Type Road wheels Track return rollers
Torsilastic 11 independently sprung/track 2/track
Drive sprockets Idlers Shock absorbers
37-alternate-engaged-tooth front drive 33-tooth adjustable sprocket at rear of track None
LVT(A)1: Track
Outside guide, dry pin, steel link, extruded grousers
Width 14.25"
36.20cm		 Pitch 8"
20cm		 Shoes/track 73 Ground contact length 126.5"
321.3cm
LVT(A)1: Performance
Max level road speed 25mph
40kph		 Max water speed 7mph
11kph
Max trench 60"
150cm		 Min turning diameter 30', land
48', water
9m, land
15m, water
Max vertical obstacle 36"
91cm		 Max grade 60%
Angle of approach 35° Angle of departure 30°
Max fording depth Floats Cruising range ~125mi, roads
~75mi, water
~201km, roads
~120km, water

LVT(A)1 used the LVT(A)2's chassis, but with an armored superstructure over the cargo compartment. A turret with a 37mm gun and a coaxial .30cal MG was mounted on the superstructure, and two more .30cal MG mounts were emplaced on either side of the vehicle behind the turret.

Top

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

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. TM 9-775 Landing Vehicle Tracked Mk. I and Mk. II. Washington, DC: War Department, 5 February 1944.
  3. Research, Investigation and Experimentation in the Field of Amphibian Vehicles. Kalamazoo, MI: Ingersoll Kalamazoo Division, Borg-Warner Corp., December 1957.
  4. ORD 9 SNL G-214 List of All Parts for Vehicle, Landing, Tracked (Armored), MK I; LVT (A) (1) (37-mm. Gun) and Vehicle, Landing, Tracked (Armored), MK IV; LVT (A) (4) (75-mm. Howitzer). Washington, DC: Headquarters, Army Service Forces, 10 January 1945.
  5. Catalogue of Standard Ordnance Items, 2nd edition 1944, volume 1. Washington, DC: Office of the Chief of Ordnance Technical Division, 1 June 1945.
  6. Sola, Samuel, Vincent Bobkowski, and Kara Crocker. Weapon Mounts for Secondary Armament. Santa Monica, CA: G. O. Noville & Associates, Inc., April 1957.
  7. Chamberlain, Peter, and Chris Ellis. British and American Tanks of World War Two. Frome, England: Cassell & Co., 2000.
  8. Crismon, Fred W. U.S. Military Tracked Vehicles. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
  9. Siemers, Cary. "USA's Landing Vehicle Tracked." World War II Tanks & Vehicles and Advanced Squad Leader. 25 November 2000. 16 January 2001 <http://www.shadowsfolly.com/WWII/USA/LandingVehicleTracked.htm>.
Last updated 19 Dec 2023.
Questions? Comments? Corrections? Email me
© Copyright 2001-23 Chris Conners