- Yes!
- No!..
Hello all,
This is the second suggestion in a series regarding the Cadillac Gage V-150 armored Car chassis.
Today I would like to suggest the addition of vehicles based on the ‘Standard’ Chassis Version of the Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando 4x4 amphibious armored car, the chassis that was introduced in 1971, based almost directly off of the M706/V-100 Commando.
As you will see in the history section, There were 3 drive train options for this version of the chassis. The primary being the Chrysler 361 V8 Gas engine with 5 speed manual transmission, and a Secondary with a lower powered Diesel engine with 3 speed transmission. And then a later Upgrade to a Cummins 202hp V8 Diesel engine and 4 speed automatic transmission. These Hull/Drive-train combinations will be covered in separate later suggestions in this series, except for the weaker 155hp Diesel combo as I cannot find information on that one. Those later suggestions will have more specifics about the drive trains.
As you may have seen in the general suggestion for the V-150 series of armored car chassis, there are many armament options for this vehicle chassis, which means it could be set up to fill many roles in game.
If you would like to know the full history of the V-150 chassis, please visit the thread listed in the related suggestions section of this post.
The Commando V-150 was introduced by Cadillac Gage, and evaluated by the army in late 1971. The V-150 was originally designed as a product improved version of the M706/V-100 Commando. It mostly used the same base hull as the original M706/V-100. Which incorporated multiple upgrades into the vehicle due to lessons learned during the V-100/M706’s service in Vietnam.
Early V-150’s retained the same 191hp Chrysler 361 V8 Gasoline Engine, and 5 speed manual transmission as the the M706/V-100, and had a 155hp V6 Cummins Diesel with a 3 speed automatic transmission as an optional drive train. V-150’s produced after ~1979 were usually equipped with a 202hp Cummins V-504 V8 Diesel engine and Allison 4 speed automatic transmission.
Versions of this chassis have served with several militaries including the US and Canada. Some purchased by Saudi Arabia even saw use in combat vs Iran.
Click to view Chassis Specifications
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Chassis Version | V-150 / M706 Product Improved |
| Year of Introduction | 1971 |
| Crew to Operate | 3-4 depending on Weapon configuration |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Varies up to ~22,000lbs depending on Config |
| Dimensions | |
| Height (turret) | Varies by Weapon Config |
| Height(over hull) | 78in (1,98m) |
| Width | 89in (2.26m) |
| Length | 224in (5.69m) |
| Wheelbase | 105in (2.66m) |
| Clearance Hull | 24in (61cm) |
| Clearance Differential | 16in (41cm) |
| Armor | |
| Armor Construction | Cadloy High Hardness Steel Armor - Welded |
| Turret | |
| Front | Varies by Config ~9.5mm |
| Sides | Varies by Config ~6.4mm |
| Rear | Varies by Config ~6.4mm |
| Top | Varies by Config ~6.4mm |
| Hull | |
| Upper Front | 9.5mm @ 30° |
| Middle Front | 6.4mm @ 75° |
| Lower Front | 6.4mm @ 35° |
| Upper Sides | 6.4mm @ 30° |
| Lower Sides | 6.4mm @ 20° |
| Upper Rear (Air intake vent) | 6.4mm @ 30° (37°) |
| Lower Rear | 6.4mm @ 37° |
| Roof | 6.4mm @ 90° |
| Floor | 6.4mm @ 90° |
| Automotive Performance | |
| Max Speed Land | Up to 56mph (90.1kph) |
| Max Speed Water | 3mph (4.83kph) |
| Max Gradient Climb | 60.00% |
| Max Side Gradient | 30.00% |
| Max Vertical Obstacle | 24in (61cm) |
| Operating Range Road | Up to 600miles (965km) |
| Operating Range CC | Up to 425miles (684km) |
| HP/Metric Ton | Up to ~21.05hp/ton |
| Engine | |
| Model | Chrysler 361 or Cummins V-504 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline or Diesel |
| Type | V8 |
| Horse Power, Gross | Up to 202hp |
| Torque, Gross | Up to 387ft-lbs |
| Transmission | |
| Type | Manual or Automatic |
| Gears | Varies by Drive-Train |
| Transfer Case | Varied by Drive-Train |
| Wheel Drive | 4x4 |
| Suspension | |
| Solid axle - Front & Rear Semi elliptical Leaf spring - direct Shock absorber per wheel | |
| Axles | |
| Beam Type - Double Reduction - locking differentials | |
| Brakes | |
| 4 wheel Hydraulic - Internal Expanding | |
| Steering | |
| Front Wheel - Rack and Pinion - Power Assist | |
| Fuel System | |
| 2 tanks | |
| 80gal total | |
| Tires | |
| 14.5in x 21in | |
| Commando Special - Run Flat tires | |
| Available Armament | |
| 2 x .30cal M37 MG(turret) | |
| 1 x .30cal M37 & 1x .50cal M2HB(turret) | |
| 2 x 7.62mm M73 MG (turret) | |
| 1 x 7.62mm General Electric Minigun(turret) | |
| 20mm Oerlikon 204GK Autocannon (turret) | |
| 20mm VADS Turret | |
| TOW Missile Carrier | |
| Dragon Missile Carrier(turret) | |
| 90mm MECAR Gun(turret) | |
| 90mm Cockerill Mk3 Gun(turret) | |
| 25mm Bushmaster(turret) | |
| 76mm RO L23A1 (Scorpion Turret) |
Just like vehicles built on other versions of this series of chassis, vehicles based off the standard chassis could fill many roles. And, they could fit in at lower ranks than those built with the later S/ST version of the chassis. Due to slightly lower speed and shorter hull, it’d have a bit less survivability and maneuverability.
As previously stated in the base suggestion, given the number of nations that have used versions of the V-150 chassis, it would be an easy way to introduce very minor nations vehicles to the game.
The Cadillac Gage V-150/LAV-150 armored car chassis series “A Cadillac of armored Cars”
Cadillac Gage V-150S/ST Commando ‘Stretched’ Chassis “Longer… and Faster”
Books:
“Armored Car, A History of American Wheeled Combat Vehicles” By R.P. Hunnicutt, Published by Presidio Press, ISBN: 0-89141-777-X
“Profile, AFV, Weapons #62 - Commando, Twister, and High Mobility Vehicles”, by Christopher F. Foss
https://www.worldhistory.biz/download567/ProfileAFV-WeaponsProfiles62-Commando,TwisterandHighMobilityVehicles.pdf
Documents:
ADA282834 Front End Analysis of Armored Fighting Vehicle Alternatives for the Chemical and Biologically Protected Shelter, June 1994
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA282834.pdf
Manuals:
Manual No 114101, Maintenance Manual For Commando Model V-150 Diesel/Automatic, by Cadillac Gage Company
Websites: Additional information and pictures can be found here
https://old.weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/CC01%20-%20Commando.html
https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Cadillac_Gage_Commando
https://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/US/Cadillac_Gage_Commando_M706.php
https://www.fdi.us.com/static/files/pdf/Cadillac%20Gage%20Flyer%20and%20Descriptions.pdf
http://warwheels.net/LAV150index.html
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/lav-150.htm
http://afvdb.50megs.com/usa/m706.html