Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando 1960-71 (New Vanguard) [Paperback]

Richard Lathrop (Author), Jim Laurier (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: New Vanguard | Publication Date: May 25, 2002

Destined to become one of the most influential postwar armored cars, the V-100 Commando was developed by the Cadillac Gage Company in 1962 as a private venture, and the first prototype was completed in the same year. It was designed as a multi-purpose vehicle and could function as an 11-man personnel carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, convoy escort, command or patrol car and a riot vehicle. The V-100 was tested and evaluated in Vietnam before full-scale production began in 1964. It saw widespread use in Vietnam by both US and South Vietnamese forces. This title describes the design, development and operational use of the V-100 Commando, including their continued deployment around the world.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The unrivalled illustrated reference on fighting vehicles, transport and artillery through the ages. Each volume is illustrated throughout, making these books uniquely accessible to history enthusiasts of all ages.

About the Author

Richard Lathrop was born in 1967, received his BA in History from Glassboro State College. He has always had an interest in military subjects and enjoys collecting and restoring military vehicles. He is married and lives in New Jersey. John McDonald has worked for more than 24 years in the production and maintenance of combat vehicles and their weapon systems. His experience includes thirteen years as a Worldwide Armored Vehicle Consultant and Overseas Co-production Manager.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (May 25, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841764159
• ISBN-13: 978-1841764153
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,964 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From website to print in Osprey, October 20, 2004

By 

reader6 "afpmuseum" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando 1960-71 (New Vanguard) (Paperback)

"What started as a website project on the V100 Commando history by Richard Lathrop, the book Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando 1960-71,is the first that presents the history of the V100. Starting as a privately funded prototype design that was patented in late 1962. Continuing with its first military customer, the Republic of South Vietnam Army used it in combat. And the US Army would follow later, recognizing the need for protection and firepower in a mobile package for its Military Police. The US Air Force would order a different version for its needs to protect its aircraft and bases from enemy infiltrators."

There are 39 Black & White photos and 7 pages color illustrations in this latest Osprey, New Vanguard edition.
These images show the changes to the basic V-100 vehicle as improvements were made from lessons learned in combat.

The first photos are Cadillac Gage's first armored vehicle design that was called the "Peacemaker" built on a Dodge W-300 frame, that did not go beyond the prototype stage. These are followed by design patent drawings of the "Commando" vehicle, and photographs of the early production prototypes. One photograph is at Aberdeen Proving Ground and several more of another vehicle that that I had photographed on display the Fort McCoy Museum in Wisconsin in 2001.

The following photos would show the differences in production vehicles that were sent to Vietnam. Later subtle changes in detail to the vehicles can be seen in more photographs and explained in the text.

The V-100 has an inherent amphibious ability and this is show in several photographs of the Guatemalan vehicles in a lake. Other than two photographs of the V-100 with a prototype 40mm grenade launcher turret that are laid out in reverse,(the negative is reversed) the photographs in the book provide an examples of the V-100 that would be of interest to vehicle historians and modelers alike.

In a future publication it would be nice to see more photographs of the V-100s that were operated by the US Air Force, though there are several that are can be viewed on the internet. Perhaps the next installment would feature the V-100s in service after 1971, several are still in service with U.S. police forces, and the development of the V150 and other variants that were produced and exported to other countries in the world.

Osprey's "Cadillac Gage V-100 Commando 1960-71" is definitely a book for those interested in US Armored vehicles, Vietnam, and the origins of the US Army Military Police new vehicle the M1117 Guardian. To paraphrase a coincidence mentioned in the book,"...the first US Military Police to receive the M1117 was the 720th Military Police Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas. Almost 30 years to the day they received the XM706, ...the M1117 mission requirements mirrored that of the V-100."
Reviewed by Franz Tinio-Lopez, June 2002.