FORT BELVOIR, Virginia — The Higgins Boat (LCVP) exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army showcases the crucial landing craft of World War II amphibious operations. Designed by Andrew Higgins, these versatile boats carried 36 combat-loaded troops or a jeep with 12 men to beaches across Europe and the Pacific. The display features technical specifications of the craft that became synonymous with Allied amphibious operations.
Photograph by David Coleman. The Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel (LCVP), commonly known as the Higgins boat, represents one of the most significant developments in amphibious warfare technology. Designed by Louisiana boat builder Andrew Higgins, this 36-foot craft could carry 8,100 pounds of cargo while maintaining a speed of 12 knots. The boat's innovative design featured a plywood hull and front-loading ramp, allowing rapid troop deployment and vehicle offloading directly onto beaches. The craft was operated by a three-person crew consisting of a coxswain, engineer, and crewman, and was armed with a .30 caliber machine gun for defense. Key features included a ramp winch system, specialized fenders, and a robust engine compartment. The Higgins boat's versatility and effectiveness made it the most widely used landing craft of World War II, landing more Allied troops on invasion beaches in both Europe and the Pacific than all other landing craft types combined.
Size: 8256px × 5504px
Location: National Museum of the United States Army, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, United States
Photo credit: © David Coleman | Have Camera Will Travel / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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