- Yes!
- No!..
Hello all,
This is the third in a series of suggestions regarding the Cadillac Gage V-150 armored Car chassis.
Today I would like to suggest the addition of vehicles based on the ‘Stretched’ Chassis Version of the Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando 4x4 amphibious armored car aka the V-150S, which was introduced in 1981.
As you will see in the history section, two Drive-train’s were used with this version of the chassis. The initial version came with the same Cummins V8-210 8.3L Diesel engine and 4-speed automatic transmission combo as the late model ‘Standard’ V-150. However, in 1993 the V-150S was upgraded with a Turbo-Charged Cummins Inline 6 Diesel engine, which put out up to ~276hp Gross (250-260hp Net) and became the V-150ST. These drive train combos will be discussed in more detail in later suggestions of this series.
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 the 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.
In 1981, a new version of the V-150 was introduced and tested, designated the V-150S. The V-150S completely replaced regular V-150 hull production in 1985. This version had a stretched hull, with an 18-inch longer body and wheelbase. It retained the 202hp Cummins V8-210 8.3L used in the later-produced V-150’s. Other improvements in this version included stronger suspension, an improved transfer case, and an improved hydraulic brake system.
In 1993, the V-150S was upgraded with the Cummins 6CTA 8.3 6cyl turbo-charged Diesel engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, this version was designated the V-150ST.
Just like the other versions of the V-150 Chassis, it was used by many countries, including the US military.
Click to view Chassis Specifications
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Chassis Version | V-150S |
| Year of Introduction | 1981 |
| Crew to Operate | 3-4 depending on Weapon configuration |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | Varies up to ~ 24,000lb (10,886kg) |
| Dimensions | |
| Height (turret) | Varies by Weapon Config |
| Height(over hull) | 78in (1,98m) |
| Width | 89in (2.26m) |
| Length | 247in (6.27m) |
| Wheelbase | 123in (3.12m) |
| Clearance Hull | 25.5in (65cm) |
| Clearance Differential | 15in (38.1cm) |
| 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 62mph (99.8kph) |
| Max Speed Water | 3mph (4.83kph) |
| 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 | Up to ~22.96hp/ton |
| Engine | |
| Model | Cummins V8-210 8.3L / Cummins 6CTA 8.3L C260 |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Type | V8 / Inline 6 - Turbo-Charged |
| Horse Power, Gross | Up to ~252hp |
| Torque, Gross | Up to 650ft-lbs |
| Transmission | |
| Type | Automatic |
| Gears | Varies by Drive-Train |
| Transfer Case | Varies 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 stretched chassis could fill many roles. And, they could fit in at mid to higher ranks than those built with the earlier standard version of the chassis. Due to its slightly higher speed and longer hull, it’d have a bit more 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 nation vehicles to the game.
The Cadillac Gage V-150/LAV-150 armored car chassis series “A Cadillac of armored Cars”
Cadillac Gage V-150 ‘Standard’ Chassis “Amphibious 4x4 Speed”
Click to view References used for this suggestion
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