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

[DRG]

.... on the list.......

[Pibwl]

Supplement:
02 M3 - it has radio chance 3x, while #108 M3 Stuart (used from the same date) and #266 M3 have 6x. Also their name format is inconsistent (as I see, the only difference between 02 and 108 is, that 108 is HE-oriented and rarer).

03 M5A1 - combat debut with USMC was in 2/44 (Roi-Namur Atoll) (now: from 6/43), earlier M3A1 were used ("Stuart in action")

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103 M3 75mm GMC - photo is T19 105mm halftrack - correct is 27738. They were called SPM by the Marines (self-propelled mount), according to Concord "US Tank Destroyers in combat 1941-45" and "U.S. Tank Destroyers in action"

105 Dodge T214 WC53 - it should rather be named WC51 (on a picture) - WC53 was carryall with closed body, built in a small number.

116 M3A3 - according to "Stuart In Action", M3A3 was used by the US forces for training only (most went abroad). AFAIK not used in combat by the Marines either.

192 1.1in AA Gun - has a picture of Flak 2cm, could be quadruple 32083. Did it exist on single mounts at all?


200 M4A2 (Early) - picture is M4A1.
More correct are 385, 16506 (Chinese?), 27720, 27721 (both French markings?)

201 M4 (Early) - picture is M4A1. More correct are 385, 16506 (Chinese?), 27717 (M4).
I would suggest to call it just "M4", as it was basic model.

202 M4 (Late) - picture is M4A1 (it should be M4 with composite hull)

209 MHarrington T16 - correct form is Herrington. Maybe a better name is M-H T16? (as #264)

243 M3A3 Recon - M3A3 was used only for training by US forces, and a picture is M3 recce. But I've never seen a photo of turretless M3/M3A1 used as a recce vehicle. M3A3 were quite common in this role - but in other allied armies. On the other hand, on a Pacific theatre, M3 with a gun was a valuable tank until the end, as a fire support vehicle, and it would make no sense to turn them into turretless recce vehicles.
If it is removed, a change in formations will be needed.

264 M-H CTL-3 - it was a turretless tank (now it seems to have a turret), with a crew of 2(3). Seems to be used until 1943 guarding Samoa - http://www.marmon-herrington.webs.com/tank.html#ctl-3 , http://www.marmon-herrington.webs.com/usmc.html

266 M3 - I suggest to rename it M3A1, which was a main model used by the Marines - it had a debute in 9/42 at Guadalcanal (now 4/42), used "well into 1944" (now 9/43) ("Stuart in action")

344 T30 75mm GMC - picture is T19 105mm (as #12)

351-355 PBJ-1D Mitchell - better picture for attack variants with a full nose is 267

365 GPA Amphib Jeep - it rather isn't known to carry a machine gun - I've never seen a photo with it.

(367, 372, 375 - Jeep with AAMG could get own picture...)

(377 Maxson AA jeep - maybe a better picture is a trailer 19032, instead of a plain jeep (the same for Army OOB #140))

381, 386 75mm M1916 FG - photo is Russian M1902 gun

There was also used M6 Fargo in 1943-1944 in small numbers (Concord "US Tank Destroyers in combat 1941-45")

That's all as for now.

Michal

[Pibwl]

One more interesting addition: the Marines used M4A2 tanks with wooden planks on sides, with concrete filler, to counter magnetic mines. According to "U.S.Armor Camouflage and Markings World War 2" [Squadron - Signal 6090], first used at Tarawa (11/43)