Subject:  
U.S.M.C.
LVTP7A1
Kit Used: Tamiya 1/35

Review & model by:
Jerry Fraske
Pictures: R. Forys







[The beast emerges from the bath]


History:  As early as 1964 the Navy began development of the requirements for a new landing vehicle to replace the LVTP5. The first of the pilots was ready in 1967, and was designated the LVTPX12. The vehicle was accepted and standardized as the Landing Vehicle, Tracked, Personal model 7 or LVTP7, and deliveries started in 1971.



[It was built pretty much out of the box]



As initially produced by FMC, it was powered by a Detroit Diesel 8V53T V8 engine that developed 400 hp at 2800 rpm, and was liquid cooled and turbocharged. This produced a water speed of 8.4mph, and the 180 gallon fuel tank allowed 56 miles of travel. On land, it could reach speeds of 40mph with a 300 mile range, and climb a 70% slope or cross an 8 foot trench on its 21" tracks. The vehicle was armed with a M139 20mm cannon, and had aluminum armor that ranged from 1" to 1 3/4" thick, and carried a crew of 3 plus 25 seated troops.



[View from the chopper] [Note the square recess for the headlights]



In 1983 the Marines had FMC upgrade all vehicles with a Cummins VT400 liquid cooled V8 four stroke turbocharged diesel and a fully automatic transmission. This was designated the LVTP7A1 and is identifiable by the rectangular recess to house the headlight clusters.



[The water was made with acrylic gel medium tinted olive green]


The Kit:  This old Tamiya kit has been around a long time, however it still has a lot of appeal. It is an accurate, very easy to build fun project, with all of the quality you would expect from Tamiya. It was built pretty much out of the box, with no real problems or issues to speak of.



[It was painted in the late '70s- early '80s 4-color jungle scheme camouflage pattern] [This old Tamiya kit still has a lot of appeal]



It was painted in the late '70s- early '80s 4-color "jungle scheme" camouflage pattern using an airbrush and Model Master paint. A dark wash was applied to enhance the details, and the decals came from the kit.


[The crewman is actually a modified Tamiya M3 Stuart tank commander] [It is an accurate, very easy to build fun project]



The crewman is actually a modified Tamiya M3 Stuart tank commander. The base was constructed using a picture frame covered with Celluclay, and the water was made with acrylic gel medium tinted olive green. The vegetation is artificial greenery found at a craft store.



[The vegetation is artificial greenery found at a craft store]