HELLER LCVP LANDING CRAFT 1/72
The Normandy Landings - biggest naval operation of all times, which assembled more than 5000 different types of ships - could not have taken place without the Landing Craft Vehicle and Personal. There were roughly made little vessels and their shape clearly showed what they were precisely destined for: to run aground on the beaches and quickly land the assault forces using the front mobile ramp, before going back to sea as quickly as possible to collect troops and/or supplies. Manufactured in wood and plywood, 36 feet long, equipped with a large armoured steel ramp tilting forward and with powerful engines, the L.C.V.P. - also known as Higgins Boot, who was the designer and the manufacturer - could either convey a platoon of 36 equipped men, or a jeep and 12 men. Over 23 000 units in different versions were manufactured by the Americans between 1942 and 1945.
Length: 11 m
Width: 3,29 m.
Maximum drought: 1,96 M.
Curb weight: 8,5t.
Gross weight: 12,4t. Engine: 225 HP 6 cylinder diesel Gray Marine.
Speed when fully loaded: 9 to 12 knots.
Armament: 2 12,7 mm machine guns.
Crew: pilot, mechanic and sailor.
Capacity: 36 equipped men, or a 2700 kg vehicle, or 3700 kg of supplies.
Cruising range: around 200 km at a speed of 9 knots. |
