"L.A.R.C.s"
L.A.R.C. - stands for Lighter, Amphibious, Re-Supply, Cargo. Recently some people have
employed poetic license and referred to the L.A.R.C. as meaning Lighter, Amphibious,
Rescue, Craft.
After Word War II, the war analysts recognized that the D.U.K.W. had significant war time value and some shortcomings. They not only wanted to make improvements, but also desired to make the first integrally-designed truck and boat, from the ground up.
They commissioned Borg-Warner to do a 10-year study and to develop a new, state-of-the-art, properly engineered amphibian. During that time, nine prototypes were designed, built and tested. The final result was the only model commissioned for production -- "The L.A.R.C."!
LARC before tour conversion
Less than 1,000 were built. Approximately 550 went to Vietnam and did not return. The U.S. Government is believed to have approximately 85 in full service today and another 135 in a parts resource fleet. Over the years, some were given to coastal communities for search and rescue. Many have met an unknown fate. It is rumored that some were used for target practice and that some were cut up for the aluminum.
THE L.A.R.C. WAS THE LAST WHEELED AMPHIBIAN BUILT BY THE US GOVERNMENT AND IS STILL THE "STATE-OF-THE-ART" WHEELED AMPHIBIAN EMPLOYED BY THE MILITARY TODAY.
LARC ready for tours. (Click on photo to see larger image)
Many firms have converted L.A.R.C.s to passenger vessel use. The first documented conversion
was done in 1994 -1995 in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The LARC has since proven to be amenable to upgrades and improvements. The primary advantages to LARCs are
