This 1/72 model is the LVT(A)-4. With US Marine Corps (USMC) forces continuing their bloody island hopping campaign across the Pacific during WWII, there was a need for an amphibious vehicle mounting a heavier gun than the 37mm gun hitherto mounted on the LVT(A)-1. Introduced in March 1944 as a modification of the aforementioned vehicle, the LVT(A)-4 featured a complete turret and M2 or M3 75mm howitzer taken directly from the M8 Gun Motor Carriage (GMC). Because of the heavier weight of the new turret, the machine gun positions had to be deleted, although one .50-cal machine gun remained on a ring mount above the rear of the turret. A total of 100 75mm rounds were carried within the amphibious vehicle. A total of 1,890 LVT(A)-4 vehicles were manufactured, with its first combat use being at Saipan in June 1944. The heavier weapon proved a lot more effective in attacking Japanese fortifications during amphibious assaults. Dragon?s new model of this amphibious fire support vehicle is just as immaculate as the previous LVT(A)-1. The new turret is beautifully rendered, and the open-topped unit with its mounted 75mm gun is filled with detail. The suspension system is molded intricately and fits onto the single-piece lower hull to greatly ease what could be an otherwise troublesome assembly step. Now with this new vehicle, modelers have even more choice regarding which US Pacific diorama or beach invasion scene to build. Paint colors needed: Flat Black, Steel, Tan, Wood Brown, Red Brown, and FS34087 Olive Drab.