AFV Club LVT-4 Water Buffalo Updates - 1:35 Eduard

[Mike]

LVT-4 Water Buffalo Update Sets (for AFV Club)
1:35 Eduard

The Water Buffalo was the main amphibious troop carrier for the Allies in the Pacific during WWII, and the LVT-4 was the third version into service that gave the 20 troops it could carry the option of dismounting from the rear if under fire. The AFV Club kit has been with us a while now, and is well regarded. Improving the detail with Photo-Etch (PE) parts is always an option however, and that is exactly what Eduard have done with these four sets. Although the ammo box sets could easily be used with any Allied AFV, they have been targeted at this vehicle because it had significant visible stowage for the bow mounted 0.50cal and .303 turrets ammunition, and this isn't provided with the kit.

LVT-4 Interior (36240)
Comprising two sheets of PE brass measuring 9cm x 6.4cm and 9.7cm x 7cm, this set contains fixtures and fittings for the crew area of the Buffalo, including seatbelts, pedals for the driver, brackets for the radio and other parts within the crew cab. Grab handles and detail for the vision blocks are incorporated, as are straps for the air-boxes on the rear engine bulkhead. crew vision blocks are also improved, and the crew weapons are given PE cooling jackets, and ammo box holders and one unpainted box for the 0.50cal.

Stowage boxes to the right of the drivers are improved with more detailed handles, and the top row are replaced entirely with posable doors and detailed equipment boxes that nestle inside them. In the passenger compartment, the missing racks for 0.50cal and 0.303cal ammo boxes are added, with a few simple folds and bracing for the smaller rack that attaches to the sidewall. These are installed on both sides, and make a big difference to the look of the finished vehicle, especially once stocked with plenty of ammo cans, as found below.

LVT-4 Exterior (36234)
The exterior set is larger, consisting of two sheets measuring 14cm x 7cm of bare PE brass. It includes some sizeable parts to replace the front fenders and add detail to the front of the hull in the shape of clasps, retaining lugs and clips for the bow-wave panel. Mesh panels for the upper hull sides are provided, and the opening stowage boxes build into the hull sides are supplied with new laminated lids, dividers and securing stays. The four gun mounts are improved with brackets for the ammo boxes, and the two 0.50cals get new cooling jackets and iron sights. The front mounted 0.50cals can have one of three different types of bullet-shield, from a straight panel to a curved shield that afford better side protection, and finally a tapering box that gives the gunner best protection with flared bullet splash protectors at the sides. All of these options are supplied in the set, with the easiest being the flat panel, then the folded box. The curved shield will require some careful rolling, as it tapers and needs to be symmetrical, so some care will be needed. Each type has all the necessary brackets to secure them to the gun mount, and each of the guns is upgraded with a short cooling jacket, sights and dual grips, for which you will need some short lengths of 0.8mm styrene rod unless you re-use the kit grips.

LVT-4 0.50cal & 0.303cal Ammo Boxes (36248 & 36247)
Both sets come on the same 11.8cm x 7cm sheet size, and are pre-painted in olive green, with stencilling in yellow, containing 20 boxes in an un-folded state. Each box has a pre-etched recess on the rear that is used to trace over with a biro to give the front side the familiar strengthening ribs, so there will be plenty of work before you can begin folding them.

The boxes themselves are made from one cruciform shaped piece which makes up the box and the lid, to which a top handle is added, and a tie-down loop on one end of the larger 0.50cal boxes or on the sides of the smaller 0.303cal boxes. You can choose to build the boxes open or closed, but they will need painting inside, as they weren't made from brass but cheap metal, suitable for stamping and bending to shape much like these scale replicas. The latches are built into the smaller box's lids, and on the side of the larger boxes, to be folded over when posed closed.

0.50cal - 36248




0.303cal - 36247

Review sample courtesy of