Author Topic: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support  (Read 6132 times)

Offline Buzzbomb

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LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« on: September 25, 2020, 07:41:02 AM »
So the oneth of October you say.

I think I have a plan that may or may not involve an LVT-4.
Given I have built the AFV Club LVT... Excellent and I have an Italeri LVT ... not quite so excellent in the stash.
Now could be the time.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2020, 11:49:00 AM by buzzbomb »

Offline apophenia

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Re: I have an idea. I think
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2020, 02:55:50 AM »
Hmmm ... 'LVT(A)-6'?  An improved armed-AMTRAC with M18 Hellcat turret?
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Offline jcf

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Re: I have an idea. I think
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2020, 03:33:30 AM »
Hmmm ... 'LVT(A)-6'?  An improved armed-AMTRAC with M18 Hellcat turret?

And extra flotation tanks mounted on the side that can also function as spaced armour?
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Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #3 on: October 02, 2020, 11:53:20 AM »
I want to float this idea  ;D

LVT-4 with the 4.2 inch Heavy Mortar.  The Navy mounted 3 on a Landing craft, so I could not see any reason one would not work on an LVT.
On a rotating platform to give "on the beach" close support for HE and  Smoke cover with a slightly heavier hit than the 75mm LVT-4 (A) vehicles



Well that's the plan anyway.

Offline finsrin

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #4 on: October 02, 2020, 12:16:51 PM »
Like concept  :smiley:
If there was a Japan '46, beach fire support would be super important.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #5 on: October 02, 2020, 12:36:21 PM »
There was something similar done with the 4.2"/107mm mortar on the LSM landing ships.  A framework was built on the deck and a couple layers of sandbags were placed inside of this framework to absorb the recoil forces of the mortar against the deck.  The intention was to allow the Army 4.2" mortar crews to provide a "rolling mortar barrage" as the LSM headed to the beach.  As to what that barrage would contain, as far as the types of shells, I would hazard to guess that as the beach got closer they would probably switch to smoke to obscure the area directly ahead of the LSM.  Results were sketchy on whether it was a sound idea or just something to keep the guys involved with the landing something to do while waiting to hit the beach. 

Your idea to mount the M30 4.2"/107mm mortar in the AMTRAC is a good idea.  I had thought of something similar but was hoping for a turreted mortar that had a breech loading feature. 

If you do proceed with this project try and build a framework for the mortar with sandbags inside of the framework as was done on the LSM.  It would be nice if you had some kind of ready ammunition rack on either side of the mortar.  The M7 Priest has some ammunition racks that would be idea for that purpose. 
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Offline Robomog

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #6 on: October 02, 2020, 05:24:35 PM »
Like concept  :smiley:
If there was a Japan '46, beach fire support would be super important.

Totally agree, interesting to see how this one progresses

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Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #7 on: October 02, 2020, 11:52:12 PM »
Another option would be to take the M107 Mortar Carrier parts for the M30 Mortar and make it fit the AMTRAC.  Of course that all depends on having a Tamiya M106 in the stash...
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #8 on: October 03, 2020, 11:21:31 AM »
Well that has gone together surprisingly quickly. The Italeri LVT is pretty basic as far as construction goes. Mortar.. 10 Minutes flat.
Jeff, you had pretty much read my mind as to what I planned to do once I got to that stage, which in itself is a bit scary ;)

Basics of the  "Mounting Base, Mortar, LVT, Demountable. With 75 degree adjustment - sliding"
Still a bit to flesh out on that. Scavenged out some Priest Ammo bins (That was the really scary bit Jeff ) from the spares mountain.




I actually found the floor part of the Tamiya M21 81mm Halftrack Mortar Carrier during the scavenging activity. But decided that although it might have done just as well, the ammo was too undersize.

So that is the easy bit done. Now to make it look convincing.


Offline finsrin

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #9 on: October 03, 2020, 11:56:36 AM »
Looks convincing as in-work OOB RW build !

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #10 on: October 03, 2020, 01:12:57 PM »
Well that has gone together surprisingly quickly. The Italeri LVT is pretty basic as far as construction goes. Mortar.. 10 Minutes flat. 
Jeff, you had pretty much read my mind as to what I planned to do once I got to that stage, which in itself is a bit scary ;)

Basics of the  "Mounting Base, Mortar, LVT, Demountable. With 75 degree adjustment - sliding"
Still a bit to flesh out on that. Scavenged out some Priest Ammo bins (That was the really scary bit Jeff ) from the spares mountain.

<SNIP>
<snip>

I actually found the floor part of the Tamiya M21 81mm Halftrack Mortar Carrier during the scavenging activity. But decided that although it might have done just as well, the ammo was too undersize.

So that is the easy bit done. Now to make it look convincing.

Wow!  I am surprised at how that came out looking almost like what I was imagining.  At first glance I thought you had found the M30 mount for the M106 mortar carrier but realized my eyes had not taken in the whole image.  Definitely looks good and will look better with a few tweeks to the ready ammunition rack.  I suspect that you could do pretty much the same thing with the 81mm mortar from the Tamiya  M21 Half-Track Mortar Carrier.  Surprisingly, that is one kit I have never acquired since it was out of my area of interest.  But it may have to be acquired just to see how well the 81mm mortar bits fit in an AMTRAC.  :smiley:
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #11 on: October 05, 2020, 07:12:27 AM »
Thanks Team.
First up, Jeff, a rough look at the Halftrack Mortar base option.
Quite doable, but a few things other than the ammo being too small were not right for me such as it would block access to the Cab.


Added in a rotatable front mount. Even added a foot pedal to lock in place


I see the mortar as demountable as well so that it can be moved in land with the troops as required. The mounting platform will also have lifting eyes so it too, can be removed if required.

Revised Ammo Stowage layout to offer less obstacle to the side MG positions. Still tossing the .50 vs .30. But the .50 do look chunkier.


As this is an "On the Beach" vehicle, I am now looking at raised armour superstructure to give some crew protection to snipers. Probably fold down for when not required


Almost there really. Now only the paintshow mojo to work on

Offline apophenia

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #12 on: October 05, 2020, 09:42:37 AM »
Oh, that is looking good!  :smiley: :smiley:
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Offline Old Wombat

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #13 on: October 05, 2020, 03:27:25 PM »
Excellent work, mate!
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Offline LemonJello

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #14 on: October 05, 2020, 10:13:42 PM »
Looks like it means business.  I'm liking this one a lot.

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2020, 04:33:17 PM »
Thanks gang !

So just another day in uber lockdown in Melbourne, so hammered out the LVT.

Last of the mods, the raised superstructure. Which can be folded down if needs arise.


Paint went on yesterday, today was decals and slight weathering and some paint jiggery pokery.


More to follow

Offline Buzzbomb

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2020, 04:34:54 PM »
More pix.
Could not post them all in a single post. Probably due to size. Who knew that size matters ?



Cobbled together a crew as well. Probably short one dude, might find a suitable one at some stage


All up, came out all right, pretty much how I envisaged it, which is a nice refreshing change.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2020, 05:16:49 PM »
Dog's dangly bits, BT! :smiley:
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Offline Steve Blazo

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #18 on: October 07, 2020, 07:52:14 PM »
Nice build, great colors and well done weathering !!   :smiley:
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Offline LemonJello

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #19 on: October 07, 2020, 08:39:42 PM »
Well done! I like the subtle weathering and the crew in action.

Offline Dr. YoKai

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #20 on: October 07, 2020, 11:05:07 PM »
 Really nice work on the folding armor panels, and a great build overall.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #21 on: October 07, 2020, 11:15:29 PM »
Wow!  Did not expect to see this project finished so soon.  Definitely a great concept and execution!
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Offline Jonesthetank

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #22 on: October 07, 2020, 11:37:53 PM »
Superb!

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #23 on: October 08, 2020, 03:37:21 AM »
 :smiley:
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Offline Frank3k

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #24 on: October 08, 2020, 05:34:07 AM »
Wow - his would work in both WWII and Vietnam. The weathering looks great and the .50 cals came out pretty good.

Offline apophenia

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #25 on: October 08, 2020, 07:45:40 AM »
Wow! Fast work and totally convincing  :smiley:

Dog's dangly bits, BT! :smiley:

Like he said. Gentle weathering is perfect for a vehicle delivered just in time for the invasion  :smiley: :smiley:
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Offline jcf

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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #26 on: October 09, 2020, 07:51:52 AM »
Wow - his would work in both WWII and Vietnam. The weathering looks great and the .50 cals came out pretty good.

 :smiley:
It looks like something the French would have come up with during their Indochina War.
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Re: LVT-4 Heavy Mortar Close Fire Support
« Reply #27 on: October 10, 2020, 01:50:04 AM »
Great idea and execution !
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