LVT-1 Aligator 1/72 by US Cast
By the favour of colleague Milan Vins I've got into my hands to recension and later exploitation resin kit of 1st combat used amtrack of U.S. Marines - LVT-1 Aligator from manufacturer US Cast. Model represents first serial version of vehicle with driver compartment's windows farther apart and with armament consists of one machine-gun calibre .303" |
Name | LVT-1 Aligator |
Producer | US Cast, USA |
Packing | Inasmuch as I've gotten this model to disposal "at second hand", I haven't seen an original cover from producer and that's why I can't value it. |
Quality |
Model is very simple, it consists of mere 4 resin cast stocks - complete hull, undercarriage bogies and machine-gun calibre .303". Quality cast stock is inconsistent - in one look there are very pretty represented details ( undercarriage, tracks, etc.), on second parties we can find, especially on lower part of hull, great quantity of short-run castings, sometimes of goodish dimensions, and in the inner parts of undercarriage we can find on the contrary a great pads of resin. For ablation of boils and short-run castings is regarding to their range perhaps best to seal up the whole bottom body with thin laminae of plastic, pads, however, will be necessity to remove by grinding. Further mistake on model is, that some parts ( mudguards, details of tracks ) they are too thin and there is threat of damaging them. The greatest problem at construction of model ( which, however, is common for all resins ) is fact, that model totally lacks the interior of driver's compartment. This what's insignificant at tank, is however serious problem at LVT-1, into which crew compartment it can be a good view by 5 big windows. Here is offer of two options how to remove this inadequacies - "strong characters" they can compartment totally remove and make a new one from plastic laminae and in it create also details of interior ( by photo, however, rather poor ). But much simpler and elegant solution offers here to those, who wants to construct their Aligator in perhaps the most impressive version - as a vehicle engaged in tragic invasion into Betio island in Tarawa atoll. This vehicles had driver's compartment protected by additionally welded iron-clad plates, in which there was cuted out only small and narrow sights. This modification can be managed by even less experienced modeller and result will be absolutely convincing. There remains only to cover entrance door into compartment from transport room - this is possible to perform by imitation of canvas, which can be visible on photos of some vehicles throwed over compartment roof. The one who will decide for construction of this version, will have to give into front part of transport room two machine-gun calibre .5". Shape agreement of model with original is very well, model is faithful copy. |
Type of kit | resin kit |
Instruction sheet | Model don't-contains instruction. Assemblage of part is even without instruction evident. |
Decals | Model don't-contains and decalcomania. Regarding to cammo and marking of vehicle, they are very simple and experienced modeller, for who above all is model dedicated, will not have any problems with them. |
Description + Note |
As I've mentioned above, this model be calculated for experienced modeller, who after removal of circumscribed inadequacies will get in it very impressive and attractive copy into their collections. Another positive of this kit is it's possibility of integration into some attractive diorama from pacific battlefield. |