Cadillac Gage Commando
The V-100 Commando is an amphibious APC built by Cadillac Gage.
The V-100 series of vehicles was developed in the early 1960's. The first prototype emerged in 1963, and the production variants entered service in 1964. The Commando was used in Vietnam by the US Army, US Air Force and US-allied forces including the ARVN. It was introduced in Vietnam as the XM706 Commando. The Army version of the armored car was later designated M706. It was also affectionately known as the Duck, or the V.
The vehicle is equipped with four-wheel drive and uses axles similar to the ones used in the M34 series of trucks. The engine is a gasoline-powered 361 cubic inch Chrysler V8, same as in the early gas models of the M113 armored personnel carriers. Its 5-speed manual transmission allows it to traverse relatively rough terrain. The M706 has a road speed of 62 mph, and can travel across water at 3 mph. The armor consists of high hardness alloy steel called Cadaloy, which protects against projectiles up to 7.62 x 51 mm. Partly because of its armor, the M706 has an unloaded mass of over 7 tons. As a result, a common problem with the vehicle is rear axle failure caused by the extreme weight.
The V-100 carries a maximum crew of 12. In road patrol, convoy duty and base defense use by US Military Police, it usually had a crew of two: driver and gunner. ARVN V-100 units had larger crews, including a commander riding shotgun, and a radio operator outside the rear hatch. Standard armament included two or three top-mounted M60 machine guns. Passengers could also use their personal weapons to fire through the vehicle's various gun ports. The V-100 was available in turret and open-top models.
On the modern battlefield, the V-100 is now largely obsolete. However, it remains in service with various smaller forces, such as the Army of Venezuela and the Jamaican Defence Force.
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