LVTP-5
An LVTP-5 on display at the USS Alabama (BB-60) memorial in Mobile, Alabama. The front of the vehicle is facing right in this picture.
TypeArmored personnel carrier
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1956–present
Used bySee Operators
Specifications
Mass37.4 t
Length9.04 m (29 ft 8 in)
Width3.57 m (11 ft 9 in)
Height2.92 m (9 ft 7 in)
Crew3+34 passengers
Armor6-16 mm
Main
armament
.30 caliber MG/105mm howitzer(LVTP-6)
EngineContinental LV-1790-1 V-12 gasoline
704 hp (525 kW)
Power/weight19 hp/tonne
SuspensionTorsilastic
Operational
range
306 km (190 mi) road, 92 km (57 mi) water
Maximum speed 48 km/h (30 mph), in water 11 km/h (6.8 mph)

The LVTP-5 (landing vehicle, tracked, personnel 5) is a family of amphibious armored fighting vehicles used by the Philippine Marine Corps and, formerly, the United States Marine Corps. It was designed by the BorgWarner company and built by FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) along with a few other companies. It was first accepted into service in 1956. Some 1,124 basic units were produced, plus the specialist variants, and many saw action in the Vietnam War.

History

The LVTP-5 was an evolution of the LVT-1 to LVT-4 World War II-era landing vehicle tracked series, but was considerably larger and could carry 30-34 combat-armed troops. A smaller design based on the M59 APC was also produced as the LVT-6, but only a few were built.

The LVTP-5 was replaced in service by the LVT-7 family.

The most common type was the LVTP-5, an armored personnel carrier, with mine-sweeper, command, recovery and fire support variants, the latter mounted a 105 mm howitzer. An anti-aircraft version was prototyped, but never saw service.

As of the mid-2010s, the sole remaining state user of the LVTH-6 was the Philippines, who used four of them for their naval infantry force.[1][2] As of 2013, Philippine LVTH-6s came in a "digital"-style camouflage pattern.[1]

Variants

  • LVTP-5 (landing vehicle tracked, personnel) - armored personnel carrier
  • LVTC-5 (landing vehicle, tracked, command) - command vehicle
  • LVTH-6 (landing vehicle, tracked, howitzer) - fire support variant armed with M49 105 mm howitzer. Two hundred and ten units built.
  • LVTR-1 (landing vehicle, tracked, recovery) - recovery vehicle. Sixty-five units built.
  • LVTE-1 (landing vehicle, tracked, engineer) - mine-sweeper. Forty-one units built.
  • LVTAA-X1 (landing vehicle, tracked, anti aircraft) - anti-aircraft variant, to be fitted with the turret of the M42 Duster. Only prototype built.

Operators

USMC LVTP-5s during a training exercise in 1968
An LVTP-5 on display at Georgia Veterans State Park
LVTH-6 in the Museum of Republic of China Marine Corps
LVTH-6 rear view
Current
Former

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "LVTP-5 (1956)". Tanks Encyclopedia. 2016. Archived from the original on 2017-08-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. 1 2 "Philippine Marine Corps". www.globalsecurity.org.
  3. ↑ Dunham, George R (1990). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: The Bitter End, 1973–1975 (Marine Corps Vietnam Operational Historical Series). History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. pp. 19–20. ISBN 9780160264559.

Further reading

  • David Koller, LVTP5 Landing Vehicle Tracked Personnel 5, 2016, Highgloss Publishing, ISBN 9783033052598.
  • SNL G277
  • Steven Zaloga, Terry Hadler, Michael Badrocke - Amtracs: US Amphibious Assault Vehicles, 1999, Osprey Publishing (New Vanguard 30), ISBN 1-85532-850-X.
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