Reviewed by Felix Bustelo
September 2024
HISTORY
The need for a landing craft capable of putting ashore an armored vehicle or tank became apparent in the years leading up to World War II. The LCVP could transport only small vehicles and at most a 1.5-ton truck. In 1941, the Bureau of Ships made a request to Higgins Industries, the company that designed and built the successful LCVP, to develop a 45-foot tank landing craft. However, the size of tank to be carried soon increased with the M4 Sherman becoming the standard medium tank and a larger 50-foot design was required. This became the Landing Craft, Mechanized or LCM(3). The LCM(3) could carry 60 troops or 60,000 tons of cargo instead of a tank if needed. The LCM(3) had a beam of 14 feet 1 inch with 31-foot cargo well. They were armed with two .50-cal M2 Browning machine guns and had a crew of four. The LCM(3) was first used in the invasion of North Africa. The LCM(3) was eventually eclipsed by the 56-foot long LCM(6).
Black Cat Models LCM(3)
The Black Cat Models LCM(3) is a fully 3D model. The contents come in a clear plastic clamshell box with the print rafts affixed to double-sided tape. 

The 3D printed hull is very nicely done and sits on a printing raft along with the ramp door. During shipping, both parts broke off the thin attachment points holding them to the raft but there was no damage to either part. The hull compares favorably with photos of an LCM(3) in David Doyle’s US Landing Craft of WWII, Vol. 1. The hull has numerous details, such as the manhole covers on the well deck and the inner hull sides, lateral traction strips, hoisting pads and vertical ribs along the outside of the hull. Also printed onto the hull are several mooring posts, hatches, vertical ladder and small cowl vents. Underneath you will see the twin rudders, propellers, propeller shafts and skegs. The printing is very clean with some print lines that are barely visible. These print lines are more pronounced underneath, but they would probably remain more or less out of sight if modeled full hull or not at all if in a seascape. In either case, these should become invisible underneath some paint. The LCM(3) in 1/350 scale measures to about 1.7 inches and the 3D printed hull appears spot on. 

Small 3D Printed Parts
The bow ramp door is also well done, with lateral traction strips on the inner face. The raft with the smaller parts includes the open top pilot house, three shielded .50-cal M2 Browning machine guns, three gunner figures, two pilot figures and three life rings. The pilot house is well detailed with a water-tight door correctly on the starboard side and vision slots all around structure. While it is very difficult to see in the photos I took, there is a helm and console on the inside of the pilot house. The machine guns are also nicely done and detailed. You will only need two machine guns to arm your LCM(3), so it is nice to have an extra one in case of breakage. The crew figures a well done and like the guns, some extras are provided. 
There is no photo-etch included nor needed with this kit. Decals are not provided and there are no assembly instructions available online (they would be too large to fit in the clamshell in any case). However, if you go to the LCM(3) product page on the Black Cat Models website, four different views of a completed model are present to help with the assembly if needed.

CONCLUSIONS
Overall, this is a very well-done kit of an LCM(3). The kit is very well detailed, especially for its miniscule size, and would make a good first 3D printed model. Whether you build it as a standalone model or as part of a vignette or diorama, this kit is highly recommended. 

The LCN(3) is available directly from Black Cat Models or one of the retailers that sell their products.

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