While the first Allied soldiers landed in Normandy via parachute during the night of the 5th and 6th of June 1944, the vast majority of the liberating Allied troops would have to come via the sea, landing on Normandy's beaches under heavy fire and fighting their way inland. The Normandy landings were the largest seaborne invasion in history, with nearly 5,000 landing and assault craft, 289 escort vessels, and 277 minesweepers participating. The Allies had various different types of landing craft for getting men ashore. Some were very large like the Landing Ship Tank (LST), some much smaller like the small amphibious DUKW but it was the Higgins LCVP (Landing Craft, Vehicle, Personnel) which proved to be one of the most important types used. Employed to transport the majority of US Personnel, as well as many British troops when they were used by the Royal Navy, they were vital because they could very quickly offload men and small vehicles, such as Jeeps, while under fire. Overall D-day was a success, thanks in no small part to the work of boats like these and their crews. ** Flammable items will have to be sent using a courier. Please note surcharge areas may incur an extra charge see Postage Scale 1:72 Skill 2 Number of Parts 179 Dimensions (mm) L340 x W240 Age Suitability 8+