Hi all,
I was wondering how realistic an urban Vietnam-diorama (Saigon, Vung Tau, Hue etc.) would be with a v-100 armored car in a city during the Vietnam-war? I mean was the v-100 used for urban (city) patrols or were these mainly done with m151's? I don't have a clue to be honest.

thanks in advance
Mark

Mark - I'd venture to say it would be common to see both trucks in a urban setting. Though I wasn't there - one of our members "animal" was. If I'm mistaken about it - I'm sure he'll post his thoughts here...

Gunnie

Gunnie is right. The MP's used them in the cities and somtimes we were lucky enough to get one for convoy security. The V-100 were used very effectively when they ran. I have seen them armed with twin 30 cals and 50's and 60's. The ones I saw were painted semi gloss black . "Charlie had a lot of respect for these vehicles. We had one stationed at Cu Chi. Got to ride in that one. They got hot inside when thay were buttoned up. Much preferred my truck.

I recommend the Osprey series book V-100 series Commando for background and utilization of the V-100 armored car. "Armor in Vietnam" by Mesko is also a good aid, with in use photos. As the V-100 was always in short supply, not even counting the losses from mechanical breakdown and combat damage, the luxury of using them for city patrols wasn't happenin'. The M151 series 1/4 ton truck was the mainstay of the MP's, supplemented by support vehicles such as the M37 3/4 ton truck and even a few M715 5/4 ton trucks. Even a few sedans for the deeply entrenched REMFs.

Mark,

One of the executive security officers i work with drove a v-100 in vietnam...promissed to bring me some photos from his album...(for one i'm doing for a gift to him), if any of the photos look like something that might help you w/your dio, i'll ask him if you could be sent a few digital copies...goodluck

Kevin

Hi guys,
thanks a lot for yor reactions!!!
I will be using the v-100 in my diorama. I testfitted the position of the different vehicles (there'll be a bus, a citroen 2cv and a lambretta) and the v-100 and it looked right, i just needed to know if this armored car saw action in the cities.

again; thanks a lot!

Mark

(and, any pictures would be great!!!)

Hi Mark,
I somehow stumbled upon a few interior pics of a V-100 / M706 on the web... Can't remember where to send you a link to, but if you'll email me I'll send 'em to ya!

Chuck