- Yes
- No
Hello all, today I would like to suggest the addition of vehicles based on the Cadillac Gage V-150/LAV-150 series of 4x4 armored car chassis. Out of the early Cadillac Gage Commando models, this series was the most popular, and the most widely produced.
There are effectively 4 drive train versions of the chassis series that were produced over its production run, which started in 1971. The original V-150 chassis with either the Chrysler Gasoline or Cummins Diesel, the V-150S chassis which is a stretched/long version of the original chassis, and the LAV/V-150ST, which is a V-150S chassis upgraded with a Cummins turbo-charged diesel engine.
Due to the way the suggestion rules work, there will be a separate suggestion for each chassis version, and then a separate suggestion for each chassis and drive train combination. These further suggestions will provide more detailed information, where available, about the drive trains in their tables. They will be linked in the related suggestions section when they are finished and approved.
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. However multiple upgrades were incorporated into the vehicle due to lessons learned during the V-100/M706’s service in Vietnam. Upgrades included heavier axles, improved leaf springs incorporated into the original suspension, the payload was increased from 3000lbs(1360kg) to 5000lbs(2268kg), and a second front vision block was added for the drivers position.
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. Later V-150’s were produced with a 202hp Cummins V-504 V8 Diesel engine and Allison 4 speed automatic transmission. The last version of the V-150, the LAV-150ST, was upgraded with a 250hp Cummins 6CTA 8.3 V6 Diesel engine and 6 speed automatic transmission.
As previously stated, the Product improved M706 aka V-150 Commando entered service in 1971, the 202hp Cummins V8 Diesel engine upgrade became available around 1979. In 1981, a new version of the V-150 was tested, designated the V-150S. This version had a stretched hull, with an 18in longer body and wheelbase. It retained the 202hp Cummins V8 used in the later produced V-150’s. Other improvements in this version included stronger suspension, an improved transfer case, and 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 Allison automatic transmission, this version was designated the V-150ST. In 1994, from what I can find, the designation of the series was changed from V-150 to LAV-150.
The Cadillac Gage V-150 series has several armament options available to it, which will be listed in the specifications section. Individual suggestions will or should eventually be made for each armament and hull version combination option. This series of vehicles has served with the US military, as well as the militaries of Chad, Sudan, Singapore, Somalia, Muscat, Oman, Brazil, Canada, and several others.
Click here for General Spec Table
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Years of Production | 1971 to 2000 |
| Number produced | Over 3,000 |
| Crew to Operate | 3 or 4 |
| Construction | Cadloy High Hardness Steel Armor, Welded |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | ~20,000lb (9071kg) to ~24,000lb (10,886kg) |
| Dimensions | |
| Height (turret) | Varies by Armament |
| Height(over hull) | 78in (1,98m) |
| Width | 89in (2.26m) |
| Length | 224in (5.69m) to 247in (6.27m) |
| Wheelbase | 105in (2.66m) to 123in (3.12m) |
| Clearance Hull | 24in (61cm) to 25.5in (65cm) |
| Clearance Differential | 15in (38.1cm) to 16in (41cm) |
| Performance | |
| Max Speed Land | 55mph (88.5kph) to 62mph (99.8kph) Forward |
| Max Speed Water | 3mph (4.83kph) |
| Max Gradient Climb | 60.00% |
| Max Side Gradient | 30.00% |
| Max Vertical Obstacle | 24in (61cm) |
| Operating Range Road | 500 to 600miles (805 to 965km) |
| Operating Range CC | 400 to 425miles (644 to 684km) |
| HP/Metric Ton | 18.56 to 22.96hp/ton |
| Engine | |
| Model | Varies from Chrysler to Cummins |
| Fuel type | Gasoline on early model, Diesel on later models |
| Type | V8 to Inline 6 |
| Horse Power, Gross | 191 to 250hp |
| Torque, Gross | 325 to 650ft-lbs |
| Transmission | |
| Type | Manual on early model, Automatic on later |
| Gears | 4 to 6 forward 1 reverse |
| Transfer Case | 1 or 2 gears depending on Drive-Train |
| Wheel Drive | 4x4 |
| Suspension | |
| Solid axle with Front & Rear Semi elliptical Leaf spring and direct Shock absorber per wheel | |
| Axles | |
| Beam Type, Double Reduction with 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 Options | |
| 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) | |
Vehicles built on this series of chassis could fill many roles at many ranks in the game. From small high speed tank destroyer, to light scout/support vehicle, to speedy SPAAG. Also, 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.
Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando ‘Standard’ Chassis “Amphibious 4x4 Speed”
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