Cyber-Hobby are releasing a 1/35 Buffalo LVT(4) in their Orange Box Range. The kit is accompanied by the four US Marine figures from the Iwo Jima 1945 set.

The LVT series was critical to US success in their island hopping campaigns in the Pacific, and 8,351 of the Mk 4 were produced.

A great improvement on the previous versions, the LVT-4 was the first to introduce a rear ramp, which removed the need for the passengers to disembark by leaping over the side. It also featured armour of between 6 and 13 mm, another great improvement on the unarmoured hulls of the previous versions.

The LVT-4 weighed 16.5 tonnes, with dimensions of 7.95 metres long, 3.25 metres wide and 2.49 metres high - it was NOT a small vehicle! Power was supplied by a 7 cylinder Continental radial petrol engine, developing 250 hp. In the personnel transport mode, the LVT-4 could carry 30 passengers, and had a crew of 3.

Speed able to be achieved was 32 km/hr on land and 12 km/hr on water. The LVT-4 was also able to carry a jeep or field piece, and numerous fire support versions were produced. Armament consisted of 2 .50 cal MGs and 2 .30 cal MGs. The British made use of the vehicle also, and called it the Buffalo, using it in large numbers in the 1945 crossing of the Rhine. In British hands, the 2 .50 cal MGs were replaced by a 20 mm Polsten cannon.

If this kit is up to Dragon and Cyber-Hobby's usual standards, those modellers keen on Pacific senarios should already be rubbing their hands in delight. One word of caution - there is currently no evidence one way or t'other as to whether or not this is a genuine new release or a re-box of the Italeri kit.

Of course, I would be cynical if I were to suggest that this release has anything to do with the LVT-4 also recently released by AFV Club, wouldn't I ?