720th
Nomenclature of the 720th V100 Commando Cars
~ 720th Military Police Battalion Reunion Association Vietnam History Project ~
This Page Last Updated   16 March 2008
18th Bde.
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1967 The 720th MP Battalion received its first V100 Commando Cars, and by 8th of July had them in the field during Operation PADDINGTON.
 

The V100 was developed in 1962 as a private venture by the Cadillac Gage company, the first prototype was completed in the same year. The V100 was tested and evaluated in Vietnam before production began. Over strong objections from the Military who thought the money should go to development of other items of armor the Department of Defense authorized the testing and eventually the purchase of the V100.

       Full scale production of the V100 began in 1964. It was designed for a variety of roles, it could function as an eleven man personnel carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, convoy escort, command or patrol and a riot vehicle.
 
        In all versions, the driver and commander are located at the front of the vehicle, a troop compartment is located at the rear of the vehicle. The engine compartment is located at the left rear of the vehicle
 

     The Commando Car used 1/4 inch armor plate of extreme hardness which gave it ballistic protection against small arms fire up to .30 caliber at point blank range.

     Optional 3/8 inch thick armor on the front and sides gave it protection from small arms fire up to .50 caliber at point blank range. The beveled armor exterior also gave it a deflection advantage when hit with large caliber small arms fire and the dreaded RPG.

< Photo G0788: SGT Johnny King (driver) and PFC George Clegg in 720th MP Battalion, A Company, V100 Trail Boss, on Long Binh Post in 1970. Courtesy of SP/4 Charles R. Smith, A Company, 720th MP Battalion, December 1969 to November 1970.
 
        The V100 was powered by a Chrysler 361 cubic inch V-8 engine producing 210 gross horsepower at 4,000 RPM giving a top speed of 60 miles per hour. A turbo supercharger was offered as an option on the 361 Chrysler engine.
 
        Tires were special run flat 14 x 20's which allowed a range of up to 100 miles after being punctured. The tires allowed speeds of 60 miles per hour at 5 psi, and 35 miles per hour on flat tires.
 
        The V100 was fully amphibious without need for special preparation. It could enter the water at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. It could achieve three and one-half miles per hour in the water solely on the propelling action of the tires alone.
 
        The V100 off-road capabilities were enhanced by a high ground clearance under the hull of 24 inches with ground clearance under the axles being 16 inches. It also offered an angle of approach of 55 degrees and angle of departure of 53 degrees. It also could operate on a 70 degree incline and a 40 percent side slope. A hydraulic winch was fitted for self recovery if necessary.
 
        The V100 offered many different options in armament. By using a universal type mount possible combinations included two 30 caliber 1919A4 machine guns, .30 caliber and .50 caliber M2 combination, 40mm automatic grenade launcher, two 7.62 machine guns, two .223 Stoner machine guns and a 20mm cannon with coaxial machine gun could be fitted.
 
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