Product Details

The battle for Iwo Jima, from February 19 to March 26 1945, was one of the fiercest in the whole of the Pacific Campaign. Capturing the isolated volcanic island and its strategically located airfields resulted in the deaths of more than 6,800 Americans, with another 19,000 wounded. Dragon Armor has released a 1/72 scale model of one of the vehicles that participated in the assault of this island. The vehicle is an American LVT(A)-4 amphibious vehicle. As a modification of the LVT(A)-1, the LVT(A)-4 featured a complete turret and M2 or M3 75mm howitzer taken directly from the M8 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC). A total of 1,890 LVT(A)-4 vehicles were manufactured, with many being used at Iwo Jima in 1945. Its 75mm weapon proved effective in attacking Japanese fortifications during amphibious assaults.

The ready-made model is finished in the markings of the 2nd Armored Amphibian Battalion of the US Marine Corps (USMC). The model is resplendent in a colorful three-color camouflage paint finish. The tactical number ‘A21' is painted in small white letters on the hull side, as by this stage of the war crewmen didn't want to provide conspicuous aiming points for the enemy! The detail on this LVT(A)-4 is quite stunning, including the open-topped turret and a .50-cal machine gun mounted on it. This LVT is the perfect companion to the LVT(A)-1 released earlier by Dragon Armor.