![]() 450 of these armored versions were built. By 1944, shields were added to protect the front gunners, usually equipped with cal.30s (7.62 mm). Heavier, these vehicles reached 2400 pounds when empty, and had their cargo capacity reduced by 1400 pounds, or 18 infantrymen. Self-sealing gasoline tanks were also added. This was a completely up-armored version designed in 1943 ("A" for armor), fitted with additional 0.4 in (10.16 mm) armor plates inside the main compartment, and outside to protect part of the side skirts, nose, and 0.5 in (12.7 mm) on the cab. British vehicles, mostly used in the swamps of the Netherlands and on the north-eastern German border, received Polsten cannons and, sometimes, Wasp flamethrowers. Usually, the armament combination comprised two heavy cal.50 (12.7 mm) M2HBs at the front and two cal.30 (7.62 mm) M1919A4s aft, replaced later by masked M2s. Heavy gun ports were available over the rear of the front cabin, and on each side of the main compartment, manned by infantrymen. The front driver compartment was revised. The main central compartment was left open and could carry 24 infantrymen and their equipment (5,950 lbs cargo capacity). Indeed, sea water corrosion and the crossing of edgy reefs, quickly worn out these pieces. These were the much improved M3A1 powertrain, relocated to the back of the hull, and bolted-on aluminium track grousers (track cleats), designed to improve maintenance in the field. It was designed to have better seaworthiness and, at the same time, better terrain characteristics thanks to two features. It’s the reason why Abbott opted to keep it original, without repainting: it has names scratched in the paneling, the hand-painted symbol of the bull head of the 79th Armored Division, and “all ok” painted on one of the panels.LVT-2 Water Buffalo Amphibious APC (1942-43) USA - 2962 built The LVT-2 Water BuffaloĬompared to the LVT-1, this new model was a real step forward. It is believed that it was used during WWII in the crossing of the Rhine in March 1945 and, according to Abbott, its bodywork still tells some of its now-obscure story. If all goes to plan, this unit – vehicle number 47 – will become Europe’s only drivable Buffalo. I think over the winter we will look at it all and next summer, fingers crossed, it will be driveable.” We have a working engine and a working gearbox. “It runs like a Swiss watch,” Abbott says for the media outlet. It has a new engine, shipped all the way from the United States, and a restored gearbox, but it still needs work on the electronics and replacing some rusted parts. The Buffalo has been on static displays this summer, but Abbott is hoping it will be fully drivable by the next one. Abbott dug up the LVT in the spring of last year, after he was able to track it down with metal detectors on loan from RAF (Royal Air Force).ĭigging up the machine was no easy feat, but getting it cleaned up and restoring it was even more so, even though it had been preserved well under more than 30 feet (9.2 meters) of muddy soil. That LVT is on track to become Europe’s only drivable unit, after a challenging restoration process completed with help from a team of volunteers, Lincolnshire Live reports. One was dug up after 74 years, after a 3-year operation spearheaded by farmer Daniel Abbott. Two were believed to have been washed away, and two fell into holes that had been dug up to keep the water from further flooding dry land. Of these 16 LVTs, 5 floated away, and only one was ever recovered. To keep the water at bay, 16 Buffalo “ tanks” (LVTs, more specifically, or Land Vehicles Tracked) were dispatched to create a dam. In 1947, a large area around Crowland in Lincolnshire, England, was hit by very severe floods, due to a combination of heavy snow and thawing, high tides and rain. This is a happy-ending story, even if didn’t start like one.
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