- Yes!
- No!
Hello All,
Today I would like to suggest the addition of the V-150 Commando(Diesel) with the 20mm Oerlikon 204GK Autocannon Turret.
In one of my other suggestions for the V-150 base chassis + Drive-train combinations, someone asked what the rate of fire of the 204GK was, so, you’ll be able to find it here! Note, that the armor angles for the turret are not set in stone, they were estimated using Photoshops line tool and multiple diagrams. This also happens to be one of the versions that I do have solid vehicle weight and other information on.
The history of this variant is pretty straightforward. The 20mm Oerlikon 204GK Autocannon turret was offered as an option with the original Hull/Drive-train combination from 1971, this particular version is a 2-man turret. This version of the vehicle uses the standard V-150 chassis with the Cummins V8-210 8.3L (504ci) Diesel Drive-Train, which was introduced around 1979. This version having the 2 man turret brings the crew total to 4 - Commander, Driver, Gunner, Radio Operator.
It’s unclear as to how many countries have had this variant in service, all the export information I can find so far only lists V-150s as V-150 APC or V-150/90, or ARV. From the pictures I’ve seen, it’s been used by and in Haiti, it was tested by the US Marine Corps and was available as a turret option for the V-150/M706 Product Improved vehicles operated by other branches of the US military.
Click for Vehicle Specs
| General information | |
|---|---|
| Chassis Version | V-150 |
| Year of Introduction | ~1979 |
| Crew to Operate | 4 - Commander, Gunner, Driver, Radio Operator |
| Gross Vehicle Weight | 21,800lb (9888kg) |
| Dimensions | |
| Height (turret) | 100in(2.54m) |
| 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 | 9.5mm @ ~40° (wedge) |
| Sides | 6.4mm @ ~20° |
| Rear | 6.4mm @ ~30° |
| Top | 6.4mm @ 90° |
| 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° |
| Armament | |
| Primary Weapon | 20mm Oerlikon 204 GK (KAA), in 2-man Turret |
| Turret Rotation | 360° @ 60°/s (electric-hydraulic) |
| Elevation Limits | +60° to -8° @ 40°/s (electric-hydraulic) |
| Rate of Fire | 1000rpm |
| Muzzle Velocity | ~1050m/s |
| Ammo Load | 400rnds (200 ready) |
| Stabilizer | None |
| Secondary (Coaxial) | 7.62mm M60E2 or M219 MG |
| Rate of Fire | 500-650rnd/min |
| Ammunition | 400rnds ready |
| Secondary (Anti Air) | 7.62mm M60D MG, AA Mount |
| Rate of Fire | 550-650rnd/min |
| Ammunition | 200rnds ready |
| Secondary Ammo Total | 3200rnds |
| Smoke Launchers | 12 (2 sets of 6 on turret sides) |
| 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% (31°) |
| Max Side Gradient | 30.00% (16.7°) |
| Max Vertical Obstacle | 24in (61cm) |
| Operating Range Road | 500miles (805km) |
| Operating Range CC | 400miles (644km) |
| HP/Metric Ton | 20.42hp/ton |
| Engine | |
| Model | Cummins V8-210 8.3L |
| Fuel type | Diesel |
| Type | V8 |
| Horse Power, Gross | 202bhp @ 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 wheels 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 |
To be honest, this one is a bit tricky. Its armament isn’t overly powerful, and the turret isn’t stabilized. However, it does have a very high rate of fire for the main weapon and decent armor penetration with the AP round. It’s relatively speedy for an armored car, and would even have good off-road performance. It would have similar off-road performance and firepower to the R3-T20, though it would be slightly slower on hard roads, but, it would be more stable in turns, as it’s able to easily handle side slopes of 30% (16.7°). It also has a higher turret traverse and elevation speed than the R3-T20.
However, I also would not like to see a repeat of the issues with the R3-T20 where it would be facing World War 2 vehicles. This would have limited use against most rank 4 or early rank 5 medium/heavy tanks. But, it would tear up most lighter armored vehicles. Especially as you get towards the lower end of Rank 6.
The Cadillac Gage V150 / LAV-150-armored car chassis series “A Cadillac of Armored Cars”
Cadillac Gage V-150 Commando with Cummins V8-210 8.3L Diesel 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
“The Machine Gun, Volume V of V” By George M. Chinn, Published by The United States Military.
https://archive.org/details/TheMachineGunVolume5ByGeorgeMChinn/mode/2up?view=theater
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
http://www.army-guide.com/eng/product.php?prodID=3942&printmode=1