|
Visit Olive-Drab.com's sister site for
over 7,500 free military vehicle photos! |
M-706 Armored CarThe M-706, also known as the V-100 Commando or XM706E2, was built by Cadillac Gage (now Textron) starting in 1964 for use in Vietnam for reconnaissance, convoy escort, base perimeter defense, and other security duties. It was deployed in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force as well as ARVN and Thai forces, and later found customers in military and police organizations around the world. With up to .25 inch armor and deflecting angled surfaces, the crew was protected from small arms fire, grenades and anti-personnel mines. The Army version utilized a turret with twin .30 cal. machine guns (or one .30 and one .50 cal.) for Military Police and convoy escort duties while the Air Force version had a roof hatch and one or two machine guns on ring or pintle mounts. Many equipment variations were used, such as extra gun ports or mounting a Xenon spotlight on the hatch. The vehicle was powered by a 215 hp, 361 cubic inch Chrysler V8 gasoline engine. With amphibious capability, 4 wheel drive, run flat tires and high ground clearance, it could go where needed. A common problem was drive line failure due to overloading. The replacement for the M-706/V-100 is the M-1117 Armored Security Vehicle (ASV). Textron produced the V-150 upgrade with diesel engine, heavier drive line components and other changes, but it was not adopted by the U.S. military. For additional information on the M-706/V-100 in the form of a review of David Doyle's book Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando Color Walk Around , read this page by Frank Suha.
M-706 Armored Car
|
