All characteristics for LVT(A)-5 without modifications

Weight: 20-tons (18,143-kg)

Length: 26' 1” (7.95-m)

Width: 10' 8” (3.25-m)

Height: 10' 2” (3.11-m)

Crew: 6

Armor:

Hull front: .5” (13-mm)

Turret front: 1” (25-mm)

Weapons:

Primary: 1x 75-mm M3 howitzer

Secondary: 2x .30-cal M1919A4 machine guns

Ammunition:

100x 75-mm

6,000x .30-cal

Engine: 7-cylinder Continental W-670-9A, 250-hp

Power/weight: 12.5-hp/ton

Fuel Capacity: 106-USG (401-l)

Range: 125-miles (201-km) land; 75-miles (120-km) water

Speed: 25-mph (40-km/h) land; 7-mph (11-km/h) water

The vehicle being offered, LVT(A)-5 “Modified” is an extremely rare vehicle with possibly only three left in existence. The interior and exterior are in unrestored condition. The exterior paint is original and still bears some United States Marine Corps (USMC) markings on it. While the exterior paint is rough, most major exterior fittings are still in place. All hatches and doors operate normally. The suspension is in very good condition. The vehicle runs and drives well. While it can be driven using one of its own fuel tanks, it has recently been driven using jump tanks. The driver's compartment needs to be repainted and appears to be nearly complete. All controls function normally. The dashboard is present and intact. Both the driver and co-driver's seats are present. The turret interior is incomplete as it is missing the 75-mm howitzer, howitzer mount, mantlet and its associated fire control equipment.

The LVT(A)-5 was designed as an improved version of the earlier LVT(A)-4. The original LVT(A)-4 was equipped with a 75-mm howitzer armed turret from the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage. Secondary armament was a .50-caliber M2HB machine gun. This was later changed to two .30-caliber M1919A4 machine guns on the turret and a third one mounted in the bow. While the LVT(A)-4 provided a tremendous increase in firepower when compared to its 37-mm cannon armed predecessor, the LVT(A)-1, the LVT(A)-4 lacked power traverse and a stabilizer for the 75-mm howitzer. This was rectified in the LVT(A)-5.

269 LVT(A)-5's were produced in 1945, but the type was too late to see service in World War II. During the early post-war period, the USMC realized that they needed to modernize their amphibious assault forces. The LVT(A)-5 was upgraded by adding an armored roof to the open-top turret and adding adding floatation cells to the front and rear of the vehicle. Additional modifications included reconfiguring the front of the hull superstructure by plating over the driver's vision ports and replacing them with a cupola with multiple vision blocks. Conversions began in 1948 and many were ready in time to see service in the Korean War.

During the Korean War, the LVT(A)-5 Modified were used during the landings at Inchon. When not engaged in amphibious operations, they were used as fire support vehicles for USMC units, especially during the trench warfare that made up the later parts of the war.

After the Korean War, the LVT(A)-5 Modified remained in USMC service until 1957 when it was replaced by the 105-mm howitzer armed LVTH-6.

Transport Cost to Storage: $2,640