In early 1942 the US Navy requested designs for a larger craft than the existing LCVP capable of landing a light tank. Higgins Industries responded with the LCM2, building the prototype in only 60 hours! 3,400 were built before being superceded by the LCM3 which could carry a 30ton tank, although in practice their usual task was to carry troops (upto 120) or cargo (upto 60,000 Lbs.) to the beach head.

First seeing action in November 1943 at Tarawa, and in every subsequent "island hopping" operation accross the Pacific, they also saw combat in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic theatres, as well as in the Korean war.They were also used by the British who usually dispensed with the two .50cal. MG's fitted to the US vessels.

This model comes with a keel, rudders, propellors, etc but is also available as a waterline model as LCM3W. Unlike the plastic kit manufacturers, we have produced an accurately scaled model of this craft which we believe to be the most accurate to date, even reproducing the ever present "oil canning" effect so prevalent in all the photographs of this craft.

Both British and American crew are available as sets FIG.69 and Fig.70 respectively.