LVTP-5A1 Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel

LVTP-5A1 Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel. . In December 1950, the Navy issued a contract to the Ingersoll Products Division of Borg-Warner Corporation to design and develop a new series of amphibious assault vehicles including a basic troop carrier (LVTP-5), an artillery fire support vehicle (LVTH-6), a command and radio vehicle (LVTCR-1), a combat engineer/minefield breaching vehicle (LVTE-1), a recovery vehicle (LVTR-1), and an anti-aircraft vehicle (LVTAA-1). In 1952, production began on the LVTP-5 troop carrier and the LVTH-6 gun vehicle. A total of 1,124 LVTP-5s and 210 LVTH-6s were built up to 1957. Once production was completed, it was decided to convert 58 LVTP-5s into command vehicles, designated LVTP-5 (Cmd)., The LVTP-5's inverted V-shaped bow design allowed for more efficient water operation. This remarkable new amtrac weighed 35 tons unloaded and could carry up to 34 combat-armed troops, nearly twice the complement of previous amtracs. Infantry accessed the craft via a bow ramp. The crew and passenger compartments were located forward in the vehicle with the power plant to the rear. A machine gun cupola was installed at the front of the vehicle between the driver and the commander. The LVTP-5A1 incorporated improvements to the power train and suspension, along with the addition of a box snorkel and top deck ventilators., Due to a lack of contested beach assaults, the LVTP5A1 served as lightly armored troop carrier during the Vietnam War. Because their torsilastic suspensions were designed for beach sand and water, the LVTP-5s were ill suited for prolonged use on land. Since mine detonation would often explode the floor-mounted fuel tanks, Marine personnel preferred to ride on top of the LVTP-5 and take their chances from small arms fire., This LVTP-5A has a Continental LV-1790-1, 12-cylinder engine and an Allison CD-850-4A or 4B transmission, with two forward ranges and one reverse. Other components include lights made by Industrial Lamp Corporation and a ventilation system manufactured by American Airflow Corporation of Chicago., Specifications: , Combat Weight: 79,600 pounds , Armament: .30 caliber machine gun , Crew: 3, (caption) During the Vietnam War, Marines were photographed riding on the top of a LVTP-5A1 on 30 May 1968. These Marines served in the 4th Regiment during fighting around Cua Viet and Dong Ha. (US Marine Corps)