USMC OOB13 corrections/suggestions (v.6)

[Pibwl]

Similar notes, as for US OOB:

01 Light Tank M2A4 - it's a detail, but production began in May 1940 (now 4/40). It has icon 114 of M5A1 - better would be 98 of M3.

02 Light Tank M3 - has a picture 380 of M3A3. Correct is eg. 27704, 27706, 27008, 27709, 27705 or 27707 (last two are probably M3A1)

05 M4A3 (75) - has a picture 384 of M4A1. This is late version with 47° welded hull - correct is 27726. Same for 06 M4A2 (also late version)

12 T30 75mm GMC - picture is T19 105mm

14 M15-A1 MGMC - has picture of M16. M15 were produced from "early 1943" (Halftrack In Action book) (now: 1/42), M15A1 were yet later (it could be just renamed M15).

15 M16 MGMC - produced from 5/43, but I don't know, when Marines received them (now 8/44)

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LVT

16 LVT 2 - according to "Amtracs in action", production of LVT-2 began in early 1943 (now 10/42). Unarmoured variant was manufactured until 3/44 (now ends at 12/43), and was used surely after this date as well.

According to Concord 7032 "US Amtracs and amphibians", only from 5/44 all LVT and LVT(A) gradually began to be repainted olive drab (initially new vehicles) - earlier they were ocean grey, so there could be added earlier units with grey icons. Unarmoured variants and with improvised armour (since 11/43) could be only grey, while armoured ones, from 3/44, could be only olive. Early LVT(A)1 and LVT(A)4 were also grey.

17 LVT(A) 2 - according to both mentioned books, LVT (A) 2 was a name of armoured variant, manufactured for the Army only. However, from 3/44 all LVT-2 were manufactured with cab armour (now it's available from 1/44). Apparently it only concerned cabs and front part - though there was also kits of side armour, that could be welded upon. Rear was apparently unarmoured. They however didn't officially carry (A) designation, and were known as "LVT2 armored cab". Same for 301 LVT 2 and 379 LVT(A) 2 FO

There were also earlier LVT-2 with a makeshift armour of forward part, first used from Tarawa landing (11/43)

LVT(A)2 in such shape, with armoured rear, should be made available to the Army.

19 LVT 4 - ordinary LVT-4 weren't armoured. There were only kits for armouring available, and they were known as LVT-4 (armored cab), but apparently rear was not armoured in any case (they weren't made of armour steel). Same comments for the Army.

Maybe earlier LVT models should have load 2x instead of 12x? - it was difficult to carry guns due to lacking of a rear ramp.

20 2 M29 Weasels - a detail, but a photo shows non-swimming variant (common mistake dating from original SP as well). Swimming variant was named M29C.

21 LVT(A) 1 - it had no .50 AAMG (it's not listed as it armament, neither seen on photos) - it should have .30 CMG instead. It had a stabilized gun. Same for 378 LVT 1 FO

111 LVT 1 - they could carry .50 AAMG, seen on some photos (now it has .30). First LVT unit reached full strength from 2/42, first used in action in 8/42 at Guadalcanal (now 8/41 - a production was only starting then) (formations 77,78 should be changed accordingly)
It could carry 20 soldiers (24). Same comments as for armament and carry capability for unit 300.

- there were also variants with makeshift armour of forward part, used from Tarawa landing (11/43). It could also have more guns (.50 and .30, even seen photos with two .50s and one .30).

114 LVT(A) 4b - so called "LVT(A)4 Marianas model", introduced in a course of Marianas campaign (seen on photos at least from 7/44 - now 9/45).

Michal