- Yes!
- No!
Hello all,
This is the fifth suggestion in a series regarding the Cadillac Gage V-150 Armored Car Chassis. Don’t worry, there are only 2 more to go, those cover the 2 engine options on the S version of the chassis.
Today I would like to suggest the addition of vehicles based on the drive-train version of the V-150 Commando that was introduced around 1979. This version still uses the ‘standard’ chassis, but the key differences are, the drive-train has been changed to a Cummins V8 Diesel engine, 4 speed automatic transmission, and 2 speed transfer case, and the tires have also been upgraded by this time. This suggestion will have detailed specs on the Drive-train.
As stated in the other suggestions, there are a lot of Armament options available for this chassis.
If I haven’t already made a suggestion for a given weapon config with this Chassis/Drive-Train combo, please feel free to do so, and you have my permission to use any information I’ve collected and posted here.
For full chassis history, visit the Chassis Series suggestion linked in the Related Suggestions section.
This drive-train version of the Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando was introduced around 1979. I haven’t been able to find any solid information on introduction date, however, the Cadillac Gage maintenance manual for this particular hull + drive-train combination is dated 1979…
This version still used the base ‘standard’ V-150 Commando Chassis. But, instead of using the original Chrysler Military 361 Gas engine drive-train carried over from the V-100/M706, it’s been upgraded with a more powerful Diesel engine, among other drive-train changes. The new engine, was the Cummins V504 V8 Diesel engine, with an output of 202bhp. The new transmission was an Allison AT-540 4 speed automatic, connected to a 2 speed 4 wheel drive transfer case, the axles were still double reduction single speed. Another upgrade that was introduced around the same time, was the change from the original 14x20in 12ply tires, to newer 14.5in x 21in Commando Special Run flat tires.
As is the case with all versions of the V-150, it has served with the United States, and Several other militaries.
Click for Chassis + Drive-Train Specs
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Chassis Version | V-150 / M706 Product Improved |
| Year of Introduction | 1979 |
| Crew to Operate | 3-4, Varies by weapon configuration |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Varies ~ 22,000lb (9980kg) |
| Dimensions | |
| Height (turret) | Varies by weapon configuration |
| Height(over hull) | 78in (1,98m) |
| Width | 89in (2.26m) |
| Length | 224in (5.69m) |
| Wheelbase | 105in (2.66m) |
| Clearance Hull | 25.5in (64.7cm) |
| Clearance Differential | 15in (38.1cm) |
| Angle of Approach | 55° |
| Angle of Departure | 53° |
| 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 | 56mph (90.1kph) Forward – 11mph (17.7kph) Reverse |
| Turn Radius Land | 26ft (7.9m) |
| Max Speed Water | 3mph (4.83kph) |
| Turn Radius Water | 29ft (8.84m) |
| Max Gradient Climb | 60.00% |
| Max Side Gradient | 30.00% |
| Max Vertical Obstacle | 24in (61cm) |
| Operating Range Road | 500miles (805km) |
| Operating Range CC | 400miles (644km) |
| HP/Metric Ton | ~20.24hp/ton |
| Engine | |
| Model | Cummins V8-210 8.3L |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Type | V8 |
| Horse Power, Gross | 202 @ 3300rpm |
| Torque, Gross | 387ft-lbs @ 1900rpm |
| Transmission | |
| Model | Allison AT-540 |
| Type | Automatic |
| Gears | 4 forward 1 reverse |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st | 3.45 : 1 |
| 2nd | 2.25 : 1 |
| 3rd | 1.41 : 1 |
| 4th | 1.00 : 1 |
| Reverse | 5.02 : 1 |
| Transfer Case (Ratio) | 2 Speed – Hi / Lo (0.98:1 / 1.75:1) |
| Wheel Drive | 4x4 |
| Suspension | |
| Solid axle - Front & Rear Semi elliptical Leaf spring - direct Shock absorber per wheel | |
| Axles | |
| Beam Type - Double Reduction - locking differentials – Ratio (8 : 43.1) | |
| 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) |
Governed Road Speed Table
Being the second drive-train used with the V-150 chassis, it is slightly faster. At first glance, it appears to have a slightly lower power to weight ratio. However, due to the 2 speed transfer case, it should be able to handle that weight better while accelerating. Plus, as we all know in game, Diesel is less flammable than Gasoline. Meaning this model, would have slightly better survivability than the base model, and as such, could be placed at slightly higher BR’s or ranks than those based on the base model. Otherwise, this is still a great multirole chassis.
The Cadillac Gage V150 / LAV-150-armored car chassis series “A Cadillac of Armored Cars”
Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando ‘Standard’ Chassis “Amphibious 4x4 Speed”
Cadillac Gage V-150 Armored Car with Chrysler Military 361 Gas V8 Drive-Train
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
“A Compendium of Armament and Military Hardware” By Christopher Chant, Published by Routledge & Kegan Paul Inc., ISBN: 0-7102-0720-4
https://archive.org/details/compendiumofarma0000chan/mode/2up
Periodicals:
The Marine Corps Gazette, December 1980 Issue, page 40.
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Marine_Corps_Gazette/mIIvDCmBl6sC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Cadillac+Gage+V-150+Commando&pg=RA10-PA42&printsec=frontcover
Manuals:
Manual No 114101, Maintenance Manual For Commando Model V-150 Diesel/Automatic, by Cadillac Gage Company, 1979
https://www.scribd.com/doc/70735832/MANUAL-NO-114101-V-150#
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