Brick Model of the Month: The Legendary LCVP Higgins Boat

Hello and welcome to this week's blog.

I would like to introduce another new blog idea as suggested by a few of you in last month's Customer Survey. The blog will feature a new model each month and take a deep dive into the history behind the original military vehicle. We used to include the vehicle history on every product page, thanks to a former colleague who researched and wrote them all for us. But that is another job on my list which I never quite get around to. So now I will endeavour to write one a month and then add it to the product page afterwards. Please let me know in the comments if you think this is a good use of my time or if anyone else would like to have a go, let me know! Thank you to the customers who suggested the idea in the survey, I've certainly learned a lot of interesting facts about this month's exciting new model which arrived on Wednesday.

Have a good week.

Warmest wishes,

Zoë

Image source: WikiCommons

In the annals of military history, certain innovations stand out as
game-changers. The LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) Higgins Boat, with
its rugged simplicity and unmatched versatility, is one such marvel. Designed
by Andrew Higgins during World War II, this amphibious landing craft became an
iconic symbol of Allied power, altering the course of the war.

Picture this: It's June 6, 1944, and the beaches of Normandy are the stage
for one of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century—the D-Day landings. As
dawn breaks, LCVPs swarm the coastline, soldiers disembark onto the sands of
Omaha and Utah Beaches. This was the culmination of years of design and
testing, led by the visionary mind of Andrew Higgins.

Higgins, an American entrepreneur with a background in boatbuilding, had a
keen understanding of the challenges posed by amphibious warfare. Drawing
inspiration from Louisiana's shallow-water fishing boats, he conceptualised a
design that combined speed, manoeuvrability, and adaptability. He envisioned a
vessel that could navigate shallow waters, land troops directly onto beaches,
and retract quickly. The result was the LCVP, a 36-foot-long boat with a
distinctive bow ramp that could be lowered to facilitate rapid troop deployment.
This versatility proved invaluable in the unpredictable landscapes of war, from
the sandy shores of Normandy to the dense jungles of the Pacific islands.

Moreover, the LCVP's simplicity of design facilitated mass production on an
unprecedented scale. Various manufacturers produced over 20,000 of these units.
Constructed primarily of plywood and powered by a simple gasoline engine, but equally they did not provide any protection against gunfire. The boat could
carry a 36-person army platoon on board. In the case of transporting a small
vehicle such as an off-road vehicle, it could also accommodate about 12
soldiers or 3.6 tons of cargo. The landing craft reached speeds of up to 12
knots (14 mph, 22 km/h). The boat was also armed with two machine guns operated by two gunners.

In a conflict where every advantage counted, the LCVP Higgins Boat emerged
as a game-changer, tilting the scales of victory in favour of the Allied
forces. Its unique design and unmatched capabilities ensured its place in
military history as a true icon of innovation and ingenuity.

Today, the legacy of the LCVP lives on in museums and memorials around the
world. From the National WWII Museum in New Orleans to the beaches of Normandy.

Higgins died at 66 on August 1, 1952 and was buried in New Orleans. A
national memorial was erected in his hometown, which features a replica
LCVP laid on top of sand and statues of soldiers running out of it –
similar to the scenes during D-Day. An identical monument in his honor
has also been placed at Utah Beach in France.

Image source: WikiCommons

COBI have produced a special D-Day anniversary brick model replica of the Higgins boat made of 715 bricks and in 1:35 scale. The model is 36cm long. It has an opening ramp and a detailed full hull. The model includes movable elements such as two machine guns with covers and a mechanism for lowering and raising the front ramp based on a cable system. There is also a rudder, turbines and an
opening hatch with the outline of the engine underneath. This beautiful model comes with a special brick display stand and a plate with the name of the boat. Also included are two figures depicting an American infantry soldier and a sailor
from the boat crew. A large US flag completes this amazing model.

Pictured below: COBI's first version of the LCVP Higgins Boat from a few years ago. Diorama and photos by Neal H. and and his son Matthew.

I also found this fascinating and funny 12-minute video on the history, design and development of the LCVP by a British writer and sailer.