Hi Guys,
I have a question for our Vietnam experts. Were the M706 Commando Vietnam (Hobby Boss 82418) and the M706 Commando Improved (Hobby Boss 82419) both used in Vietnam? And if not, do you know where the Improved Commando might have seen service? Thanks!

HobbyBoss's terminology is not entirely correct. Their "M706 Command Product Improved" kit is a late type V-100 with the improved driver's vision block and smoke grenade launchers (among other things). US Army M706s were never fitted with the smoke grenade launchers to my knowledge (despite some armored vehicle collectors subsequently restoring them with such things fitted). The XM706E1/M706 were, at least from the photographic evidence mid-production V-100s (and in many cases lacked a number of the intended mid-production features like the armored fuel caps). The XM706, like those turned over to the South Vietnamese were early production vehicles. The USAF's XM706E2 (also used by the Royal Lao Army) was also a mid-production type.

The late model V-100s were exported to places like Lebanon, Malaysia, and Guatemala. Most of the features were carried over first to the V-200 and then to the V-150. That most of the recipients of late-production V-100s later purchased V-150s makes it very difficult to discern just how many of one type or the other they generally got without close inspection.

Not so, unless you are talking about the very first prototype V-100s produced by Cadillac Gage as early production. ARVN XM706 clearly have the early style 3 windows with gun ports on each side as seen in this picture and this picture. US Army XM706E1/M706 have only 2 windows and gun ports on each side as seen here.

As to the armored fuel caps, while the XM706E1/M706 were intended to have the armored fuel caps, you can see from the pictures in Osprey's book on the M706 the number of fielded M706s which actually had them. The one in the picture at WarWheels.net appears to be in the minority of vehicles actually fitted with them. The window configuration clearly marks them as mid-production vehicles.

Thanks guys, for clearing that up.

Thanks for pointing that out you are a real friend

So, Kit # 82418 (early production) is the one that will build an accurate, US service M706?

Or do you need to buy # 82419 (late production) and leave off the smoke grenade launchers?

If I understand Joe, the US used mid production vehicles. Which kit do you get to make a Mid production vehicle?

Kit # 82418 is a US Army vehicle in Vietnam. It is a mid-production. What's missing from HobbyBoss's lineup is the early production vehicle for the ARVN.

Thanks Joe.

You get the parts in the Comando Vietnam for the product improved - so no real need to buy both ( - armoured fuel caps, rear turret, smoke launchers, triangular vision block)
Really early models had angled wheel arches, late ones had curved (but angled inside)
There seem to be, as usual, about a dozen variants of the 706 in Vietnam, just because of all the different small modifications or changes, as detailed in the Osprey book...

Steelsoldiers has a couple of restoration projects of the V100 series which are excellent reference points for modellers...
Hope this helps

Is there a review/build log on the Hobby Boss kit? I didn't see any in the review section, and am interested in this kit as my father did a lot of convoy escort with V-100's in support in '71.