Landing Craft Infantry pt 3

Last crawled date: 1 year, 10 months ago

The LCI(L) was originally fitted with gangways to either side of the bow, and they aided in discharging troops relatively quickly, but the layout also meant that the troops were exposed on deck throughout the landing. In 1944 the bow was completely redesigned to include a central ramp with access from inside the forecastle. This layout minimized the troops' exposure on the beach while disembarking.
LCI(L) 402 was the prototype for this design. Several shipyards built numbers of vessels to this design, with small variations throughout. This type of LCI(L) became the preferred type in the US Navy, and most saw long service after WW II. 1068 represents the last group of 31 boats of this type made.
LCFF 399 was originally built as a regular LCI(L) and then converted to a Flotilla Flagship. The conversion involved considerable additional electronic equipment, including radar, sonar, and extensive communications equipment for combined operations. A few other vessels were converted similarly, and a few others were built as flagships from the ground up.
I have shown the development of these craft only in the broadest strokes. My construction program has included 87 ships so far that exemplify the design development in detail, including many conversions, all the weapons, major and minor items of equipment, power plant installations, etc.
Anumber of these vessels were converted or built form the ground up as armed coastal ships - gunships, mortar ships and rocketships, and I am modelling them as well, but of course they will be separate chapters.