V100 Restoration Project

[commando-72]

Hello everyone. I've been watching this site for many months and I'm way overdue in introducing myself and sharing information on my project V100. If there's interest, I've got tons of pictures that I'd be happy to post.

Derrick
Edmonds, WA

 

[powerhouseduece]

alot of thease guys are picture nuts so you might as well post them!!! the v100 looks awesome

 

[Offroadfabworks]

OOOOOOoo welcome to the site.. And dont worry about asking if we wanta see pics. GET TO POSTING!!! alot of use love the V100...

It looks good so far.

 

[commando-72]

OK, here are some pictures of the hulk/hull. There's some serious damage that required a lot of cutting and welding. There was a 120mm impact to the front right quarter and a dozen or so 25mm entry and exit wounds that played havoc with the brittle Cad-Aloy armor plate. What a mess!

Derrick

 

[M813rc]

Cool, yet another V100 being brought back to life!! And an early dual side-window one at that. Looks like she took a beating on the range, but repairable. It pains me to think of these being used as targets.
Welcome to the site Derrick, keep us posted on your progress. More pictures!

Cheers

 

[commando-72]

Here's a shot after sand blasting. Looks much better. Now it's time to dye trace all the cracks in the armor and start cutting!

 

[ida34]

Nice

 

[commando-72]

Here are just a few of the holes/cracks to be dealt with.

 

[M813rc]

Derrick, what is the history on your vehicle?

Cheers

 

[Alredneck]

looking good but a long way to go keep up the good fight!

 

[commando-72]

Here's what I've found out about my vehicles history so far....

The bumper markings identify it as 89MPGP (89th MP Group) 92P (92nd MP Battalion) 188P (188th MP Company) X-46. After its reassignment, 720P (720th MP Battalion) B-46 (B Company vehicle #46).

"In July 1970 when the 188th MP Company and B Company, 720th MP Battalion were redesignated and switched assignments in IV Corps Tactical Zone in the Mekong Delta Region, the Armored Commando Car V100 X-46 became B-46. With B Company it served as a backup vehicle for highway security and convoy escort. Its history after the 720th MP Battalion left Vietnam in August 1972 is unknown. Somehow it eventually made it back to the U.S. and was believed to have been used as a range target and supposedly purchased as scrap along with a sister V100 that's now in Texas".
__________________________

Here are pics of the completed repair on the two exit wounds on the left side. I used 4130 CM steel and bent the radius to match. After some primer, I can't even tell where I cut and welded the patches. It's perfect.

 

[Offroadfabworks]

very nice work. Looks like she will come back to life better then new.

 

[commando-72]

Thank you. That's the plan! More pictures tomorrow...

D.

 

[goldneagle]

Nice job man, keep up the good work!

MORE PICTURES PLEASE!!!!

 

[roger-wilco-66]

Great images! It's good that one of the range targets is saved, expecially one with such a rich history. You have a real jewel here.
I'm amazed that the armored hull is so brittle. Can you weld those longer cracks or do you patch it completely?

Mark

 

[M813rc]

You do super work, that looks great. I think I may know where the "sister vehicle in Texas" is...

Here is a picture from the 720th.

Cheers

 

[maddawg308]

FANTASTIC! Another V-100 is getting saved! Even the range targets are getting saved, now.

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a question - I have seen several guys purchase tanks and armor that has been used as range targets in the past. Where do they get these? I never see DRMO or GL auctions for range targets, yet they must come out somehow.

 

[commando-72]

Great images! It's good that one of the range targets is saved, expecially one with such a rich history. You have a real jewel here.
I'm amazed that the armored hull is so brittle. Can you weld those longer cracks or do you patch it completely?

Mark

Mark, I was amazed too. Cadalloy is very hard stuff. The harder the metal the more brittle it becomes. On some scrap material, I took a carbide center punch and a 5 lbs sledge hammer and gave it a mighty wallop. There was absolutely no evidence of any kind surface blemish. For the long crack on the rear right quarter of the vehicle, I welded it instead of cutting out a huge chunck. I dye traced where the crack ended, torched a hole to stop it and then welded it right up from both sides. I've attached some pic.. Here too, after some paint, you can't see the repair.

 

[powerhouseduece]

 

[commando-72]

FANTASTIC! Another V-100 is getting saved! Even the range targets are getting saved, now.

Not to hijack the thread, but I have a question - I have seen several guys purchase tanks and armor that has been used as range targets in the past. Where do they get these? I never see DRMO or GL auctions for range targets, yet they must come out somehow.

I'm not sure how they get to market (and maybe I don't want to know) I do know however, there were at least 3-4 prior owners of my hull. Anything could have happened. Perhaps it just mysteriously vanished from the range one day....