FIREBASEZ@aol.com wrote:
>
> We are getting a Humber Pig that was imported from the UK. It has an
> additional layer of armor welded to the roof. It this an indication of the
> "up armoring" for Northern Ireland service? It will be put into police
> service under STRICT CONSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES.
>
> There is a yard in my area where some large "tanks" have been doing planter
> duty for at least fifteen years. They said they would never sell them. I went
> by today and most were gone. I asked the owner about them. They are M4A4
> LVT's, modified with a hump in the front armor. They were bought by a British
> collector. One went to a museum, one went to a private collector in the US.
>
> I would be interested in a little background info on these from anyone who is
> familiar with them.
> Byron
Byron
If these are what I think they are they are called LVT(A)4's. These were
standeard ww 2 amtraks built with thin armor plating and turrets mounting a
75mm howitzer. These were used in the pacific in WW2 by marines and army
personnel. They had a crew of six and had a continental gas radial in
them. And of course they are amphibious. These "AMTANKS" were used in
first waves of invasions for fire support. Awhile back a veterans group
was looking for one of these to donate to one of the USMC museums I will
see if I can find a number to put you in contact. A good friend of mine
served in the 1st Armored Amphibious Tractor Battalion, USMC he was a
driver for one of these in the invasion of okinawa. Hope this helps, keep
me posted on what the yard does with these. They are pretty rare!!