Cadillac Gage Commando | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Role | Armored car |
| Designed | June 1962 |
| Built | 3200+ |
The Cadillac Gage Commando, frequently denoted as the M706 in US military service, was an American armored car designed to be amphibious. It was engineered by Cadillac Gage specifically for the United States Military Police Corps during the Vietnam War as an armed convoy escort vehicle. The Commando was one of the first vehicles to combine the traditionally separate roles of an armored personnel carrier and a conventional armored car, much like the Soviet BTR-40. Its notable height, amphibious capability, and waterproofed engine allowed American crews to fight effectively in the jungles of Vietnam by observing their opponents over thick vegetation and fording the country’s deep rivers
| V-100 Commando Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Vladimir Yakubov |
| Localisation | Ontario Regiment Museum, Oshawa |
| Photos | 81 |
See also:
The Cadillac Gage Commando is a series of armored vehicles that were designed and produced by the American company Cadillac Gage in the 1960s and 1970s. The Commando was originally intended for the US Military Police Corps as an amphibious convoy escort vehicle during the Vietnam War, but it was also adopted by other branches of the US military and by many foreign countries for various roles. The Commando was one of the first vehicles to combine the functions of an armored personnel carrier and an armored car, offering both protection and mobility to its crew and passengers.
The Commando series consisted of three main models: the V-100, the V-150, and the V-200, each with different specifications and configurations. The V-100 was the first and most widely used model, with a Chrysler V8 gasoline engine, a five-speed manual transmission, and a four-wheel drive system. The V-100 had a welded steel hull that could resist small arms fire and shell fragments, and it was equipped with a turret that could mount various weapons, such as machine guns, grenade launchers, or recoilless rifles. The V-100 could carry up to 12 people, including three crew members and nine passengers. The V-100 was also amphibious, with a water jet propulsion system that allowed it to cross rivers and lakes.
The V-150 was a modified version of the V-100, with a heavier armor, a diesel engine, an automatic transmission, and a six-wheel drive system. The V-150 had a larger turret that could accommodate heavier weapons, such as a 90mm cannon or a 20mm autocannon. The V-150 could carry up to 10 people, including three crew members and seven passengers. The V-150 was also amphibious, but with a lower speed and maneuverability in water than the V-100.
The V-200 was a further development of the V-150, with a longer hull, a more powerful diesel engine, an improved suspension system, and an eight-wheel drive system. The V-200 had a spacious turret that could mount various weapons, such as a 105mm howitzer or a TOW missile launcher. The V-200 could carry up to 14 people, including three crew members and 11 passengers. The V-200 was not amphibious, but it had a high ground clearance and excellent off-road performance.
The Cadillac Gage Commando was used in many conflicts around the world, such as the Cambodian Civil War, the Lebanese Civil War, the Gulf War, and the Battle of Marawi. The Commando proved to be a versatile and reliable vehicle that could adapt to different terrains and situations. The Commando was also produced under license by other countries, such as Portugal (Bravia Chaimite) and Indonesia (Pindad Komodo). The Commando was gradually retired from active service in the US military by the 1990s, but it is still used by some countries and organizations today.
Views : 2335
