Landing Ship Medium (LSM) 40mm version

Kit to build one model of one 1/350 Landing Ship Medium (LSM) 40mm version.
Includes 3D printed parts, photoetch fret, decals and brass parts.

The design of the Landing Ship, Medium (LSM) was based on experiences from the Landing Craft, Tank (LCT) and Landing Ship, Tank (LST). Sized between the LST and Landing Craft, Infantry (LCI), it shared some features from both. The LSM had bow doors and ramp similar to LST and LCT and a tower-style pilot house/conning tower similar to LCI, but placed offset to the starboard amidships.
The original design for the LSM had six 20mm Oerlikons fitted with two mounted in tubs at the bow, two amidships and two at the stern. The early vessels were built to this design, but it was later decided to replace the bow 20mm guns with a single 40mm Bofors for future production.
Some ships were refitted while others retained the original configuration. Later in the war, LSMs were fitted with a twin 40mm Bofors. A variant of the LSM was the LSM(R), designed for close-in support for amphibious landings.
These were fitted continuously fed 5-inch rocket launchers, 5-inch/38 gun mount and increased 40mm and 20mm armament.
A total of 558 LSM and LSM(R) were built during World War II, most serving in the Pacifc Theater and some serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Many were sold to foreign navies after the war and some were converted to commercial and merchant use.