The LST or Landing Ship Tank was and still is one of the most famous of the various types of amphibious warfare ships of World War II. This ingenious craft was designed to discharge its cargo (infantry, armor support, crates, etc.) directly onto the shore and then extract itself. Otherwise known as the “large slow target”, “long slow target”, “large stationary target” (when beached), “green dragon” (in tropical camo), or “manmade whale”, the LST saw hard service from 1942 until 2002, when the very last of these magnificent workhorses was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy. This new book from Osprey Publishing brings much needed, valuable information about this amphibious tank, as there truly are few existing titles available of the subject specifically, which makes this treatise a source of extremely detailed reference information for the LST enthusiast and the modeler alike.
Format
New Vanguard #115 7.25 x 9.75 in. 48 pp 41 Black and White Photographs 8 Full Color Plates Publish date-10, January 2006 14.95 U.S.
Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. LST DEVELOPMENT · British LST Development · American LST Development · LST (2) Construction
III. LST (2) DESCRIPTION · Propulsion · Third Deck · Bow Doors and Ramp · Second Deck · Main Deck · Elevator/Ramp · Deckhouse and Fantail · Armament · Landing Craft
IV. THE LST IN ACTION · Crew and passengers · LST Units · At sea · LCT’s and pontoons · Beaching and retracting
V. LANDING OPERATIONS · The Pacific · Sicily · Normandy
VI. LST AUXILIIARY VARIANTS
VII. THE LST REMEMBERED
VIII. BIBLIOGRAPHY · LST Websites
IX. COLOR PLATE COMMENTARY
X. INDEX
Although only 48 pages in length, this new volume from Osprey Publishing is packed with valuable information, as well as photo’s and color plate illustrations detailing and fully explaining the development, use, and history of the LST. As stated earlier, there aren’t many available titles exclusive to the LST, and all familiar will readily welcome this one with the subject. From the first pages of the introduction, through to the last few pages of this volume pack an informative punch! All aspects of the LST have been covered within these pages, and by the time that the reader reaches the end a much deeper understanding of the vessel overall will be established. The author writes the details in a clear and concise manner, accurately listing all technical information throughout in an easy to understand style and format. Although the balance of the illustrations are black and white photographs, they are clear, well chosen, and to the point for maximum informative value. There are 8 full pages of color plate illustrations in the center of the book that are excellent in both educational and informative matter. The color plates depict and illustrate the following:
Plate A- Beaching Operations, with portable causeway
Plate B- LST Armament
Plate C 1 and C2- LST Variant Plans, early and later
Plate D- Anatomy of an LST (2), which is a dynamite 2-page breakdown of the LST (2), in numbered fashion with cutaway style illustration.
Plate(s) E, F, and G- 12 further variants/camo paint scheme’s of the LST (2) in full color illustrations.
There is an accompanying text chapter broke down into the same title sections that clearly explains the color illustrations, and what is being depicted in each one. The variant plates are extremely important and helpful to the modeler who is choosing to depict a certain version for accuracy of both subject history, and ship design.
Author and Illustrator…
Gordon L. Rottman, who lives in Cypress, Texas, writes this book. Gordon entered the U.S. Army in 1967, and then volunteered for Special Forces, completing his training as a weapons specialist. He then served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam, 1969-1970, subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol, and intelligence assignments. After 26 years in the U.S. service, he is retired and now a freelance writer. Tony Bryan is a freelance illustrator, residing in Dorset, who has a keen interest in military hardware, after working in Engineering for a number of years in Military Research and Development. Besides this volume, Tony has produced works for many books, magazines, and other titles in the New Vanguard Series.
This book comes highly recommended for both historical and informative content & use, and an invaluable point of reference for the military modeler.
Many thanks goes out to Sheeba Madan, Osprey Publishing, New York, for providing us for this early release review sample.
Keep Modeling! Gunny
SUMMARY
In this review we’ll take a closer look at one of Osprey Publishing’s latest additions to it’s New Vanguard Series, “Landing Ship, Tank (LST) 1942-2002
About Mark R. Smith (Gunny) FROM: PENNSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES
I have been building models of all sorts all of my life, concentrating mainly on the coolest one's when I was younger, but now I focus directly on all military subjects, from armor to warships. After years of counting rivets, I put away the calipers, dial indicators, and micrometers and now just ha...