LVT-4 Water Buffalo

The L.V.T. tracked vehicles (an acronym for Landing Vehicle Tracked) were developed to equip the United States armed forces, including the Army and the Marine Corps, with a suitable vehicle for amphibious operations capable of providing a good level of protection. Often known as “Amtrak” they were widely used in the Pacific theatre against Japanese forces, as well as in the European theatre during the last year of the war. The LVT-4 represented a significant improvement over the previous version. 

With the redesign, the engine was relocated to a central position, freeing up the rear of the vehicle for the addition of a ramp that allowed for the rapid loading and unloading of light vehicles or small-calibre artillery pieces to support landing troops. It was the most successful version with the highest number of vehicles produced.