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gary sausmikat
79 articles

LVT-2, Tarawa

November 12, 2024 · in Diorama · · 28 · 287
This article is part of a series:
  1. Wingnut Wings Albatros D.V
  2. Hiding From the Jabos!
  3. 1/35, AFV Club, Stuart M5A1 (early), USMC.
  4. Pzkfw IV Ausf D, 1/35, Tamiya
  5. Saturday, Dec 6th, 1941…
  6. A Day at the Museum…
  7. 10th Mountain, M-29 Weasel
  8. Comrades!
  9. “Let me at ’em”
  10. P-40E Diorama
  11. "Forward To Destiny"
  12. “PATROL”…Empire of Japan Group Build, Type 97 Chi-Ha.
  13. "Luftwaffe Group Build Vignette"
  14. HETZER: Tamiya 1/48
  15. U.S. M20 Vignette
  16. "Down but Not Out", USMC Piper NE-1
  17. WC-54 Ambulance Vignette: “War and a Piece”
  18. LVT-4, RCAMC
  19. LVT-2, Tarawa

Hi All,

A depicting the USMC, 2nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, in an , invading the island of Betio during the Tarawa invasion.
The kit was easy to build, minimal parts, with no issues. I did add some minor detail; machine gun rails/mounts, tie downs and armor plate to the driver's cab front.
Starting with a fun kit to build, this was an enjoyable project, and I am pleased with the results.
Thanks for stopping by. As always...KEEP IT FUN!

Kit:
Models, , LVT-2/LVT-(A)-2, Water Buffalo, No. 280067
Diorama:
Groundwork is Celuclay, sand, dirt and ground vegetation from my diorama supply stash.
Palm tree trunks were made from Sculpey Clay.
Water is clear, 2 part, epoxy resin lightly tinted with Woodland Scenics aqua tint.
Figures:
Rubicon Models, 1/56, USMC Infantry (LVT with HMG) Set 1, No. 284099
Rubicon Models, 1/56, USMC Infantry (LVT with HMG) Set 2, No. 284100
The two onboard machine gun operators were kit bashed, to get the poses I wanted.
The Marine on land was out of the box.

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome 1  2 

20 additional images. Click to enlarge.


28 responses

  1. Excellent work and great photos.

  2. Another wonderful diorama, Gary!

  3. Fantastic subject, Gary! And so well composed. No dead space. Love the trees and the water. Excellent stuff!

  4. This diorama does look great as well, Gary @gwskat

  5. Nice work and great result. First wave - before the lagoon turned red.

  6. Very nicely done Gary, @gwskat. It is a great looking vignette, I really like the beach and palms on the shore as the men and machine land. Nice work on the water too, I am researching on doing a water scene too, and looking at my options.

  7. An action filled dio! Looks great!

  8. gary sausmikat (@gwskat)
    Your dioramas are always excellent, and this one is no exception. I like everything about this one. You my friend have some serious skills... Two thumbs up !

    Some years ago when I worked at the Fire Department, My crew and I ran a medical call on an elderly gentleman's wife, when I noticed some pictures from the WW2 era hanging on the walls inside of his home. I struck up a conversation with him before we left, since the ambulance crew had already transported his wife to the hospital non emergency.

    It was then that I found out that he had operated these LVT's, (and also the Higgins style landing craft), in the Pacific Theater. He was the driver, and I think the official naval term for his position might have been called a coxswain ? I'm not sure about that part. Then he started naming off some of the places that he had made landings on, when he dropped off Marines on the shore line, while making numerous trips in a single day. He told me that one time his Higgins Boat sank just as he made it back to the LST after dropping off the Marines on the beach. Luckily his boat was empty when it sank, as it was the first wave, and they were not returning the wounded to the ship yet.

    I replied back to him that he was lucky to have survived. He agreed. This is indeed the greatest generation.

    We had a really good conversation, one veteran to another, and I thanked him for his service for our country and the world. This diorama is a fitting tribute to the birthday of the Marine Corps, which was only a few days ago.

    You can bet I will be clicking on several of the various "like" buttons.

    Well done !

  9. That’s really well done, Gary.

  10. Wow, this looks great, Gary @gwskat! So much detail!

  11. Well done, Gary (@gwskat). When I first looked at the photos, I was sure this was done in 1/35. The detail on the vehicle is really nice, especially the conversions. The camo on the figures is very good and must have been interesting to do. This must be a really good way to get some really great vehicles and dioramas in a small amount of shelf space.

  12. Excellent work..really enjoyed looking at this, along with the rest of your dioramas!

  13. Great Diorama!

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