Reviewed by Timothy Dike
| Having the ability to move large forces
across the seas was crucial to the success of the Allied forces during
World War two. In heavily defended coastal areas it simply was not possible
to get the large amount of equipment, troops and supplies ashore using
the existing port facilities, especially when these were held by enemy
forces. The military needed the flexibility to put tanks ashore anywhere
there was a beach. The LCT or Landing Craft Tank, was developed to carry
150 tons of supplies right up to the beach. During the war these landing
craft were mass produced at steel plants on both coasts and all up and
down the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio river system. They were then floated
down river to be sent overseas to both theaters of operation. They were
often loaded on top of the larger more sea worthy LST's and delivered to
combat areas. They were unloaded in dramatic fashion by inclining the LST
and sliding the LCT off the side. Located on the WW2
LCT website is an amazing video clip of one such launch.
The LCT's were built in two primary types; the first was the Mk 5 model which had a bow ramp and the wheelhouse at the stern. The Mk 6 was an improved version that also had a stern ramp that allowed the craft to act as a floating causeway one it's cargo was unloaded. This allowed the larger LST's with their deeper draft to unload without beaching. The Mk 6 was also better equipped to defend itself with 2 single 20 mm mounts instead of a the 50 cal mounts of the Mk 5. The LCT's served in virtually every amphibious operation and were a common site after the troops were landed operating as a supply barge to support operations. Some were modified to carry rockets to bombard shore positions, others were converted to minesweepers. The more versatile Mk 6 continued to serve in various roles as LSU's and later LCU's. They were used in Korea and Viet Nam years after they were built, proving just how rugged these little ships were. |
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| Specifications:
LCT Mk 5 Displacement 286 short tons Length 114' 2" (o.a.) Beam 32' 8"; Draft 3' Design Speed 10kts Range 700 nautical miles at 7kts Complement 13 Cargo Capacity 150 short tons Armament 1 single 20 mm AA gun mount, 2 .50 cal. machine guns Armor 2 1/2", wheelhouse, 2" gun shield Propulsion 3 Grey Marine Diesels, 3 propellers, Shaft horsepower 675 per shaft. LCT Mk 6
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| Years ago Skywave produced a number of waterline landing
craft in 1/700 scale. for some reason they left this one out. Loose Cannon
has filled in the gaps in your amphibious forces. They have been producing
a wide variety of ship in 1/700 including Attack transport ships such as
the Haskell Class APA's. Now they have released two new kits of the Mk
5 and Mk 6 LCT's. These are simple kits cast in gray resin and come with
two craft to a set. I don't have a detailed set of plans to compare to
but they certainly look like the amphibious landing craft I have seen.
They are well cast and have very little flash to clean up. The flash was limited to the bottom of the hull making clean up a simple process. The Mk 5 includes a number of vents and rafts, while the Mk 6 has only a bow door ramp and a few misc. parts such as 20 mm guns. Both craft are nicely detailed for such small kits. The gussets bracing the walls are well done and even the hatches and doors are cast on. All you need now is a load of M3 Grant or M4 Sherman tanks. |
click images
to enlarge |
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 Both
list for $15.00 US and are available where ever Loose Cannon products are
sold. Check the Loose Cannon
page for details on these and other kits. |
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