It's starting to look like "Dave's Cadillac Gage Shrine" around here...

I felt I had to add this page because the original page was just getting too darn big. I didn't want to overload people with a 500k page! You can still click on an image to view the full-size version; the images displayed on the page are at 30-50% of the full size.

FAV With M260 VIPER-70 System

OK, so most of you are familiar with the FAV as introduced in the MP module Desert Search. Well, here's the greatest thing ever devised for the FAV, the VIPER-70 system. As you can see, there are two pods atop the FAV shown. These are the M260 seven-tube VIPER 2.75" rocket pods; there are also the M261 19-tube pods available.

The VIPER-70 system comes with a Remote Firing Unit (RFU) which allows the operator to be up to 15m from the pods when they are fired. This unit measures roughly 25x35x33cm and weighs 7.25kg. The RFU is simple to use and durable. When used in combination with the M439C fuse and the multi-purpose submunition warhead in the rockets, the system allows the operator to select the range to the target so the target area is saturated by the rockets.

2.75" (or 70mm, hence the "70" in "VIPER-70") rockets have come a long way since the basic M1 HE model listed in TM 1-1, and besides the multi-purpose submunition warhead other options include chaff, smoke, illumination, and flechette warheads. Those nasty flechette warheads hold 2,500 flechettes by the way. The US Army is/was also developing a guided version of the 2.75" rocket.

The M260 pod weighs 5.7kg empty while the M261 tips the scales at 36.4kg unloaded.

These are two V-100's that have been restored by theMilitary Museum of Texas, who generously allowed me to post these images here. Check them out in person if you're in Houston.

V-100's are almost exactly the same as the V-150 used in the Morrow Project, so you can use these images in your game to help your players visualize things. The image of the V-100 interior is great because so few of these are available in any medium.

Again, the numbering will be off if your browser window is very narrow, but I'm sure you can figure it out. Images shown are 50% of original size; click on image to view full-sized picture.

1. Our story begins with a V-100 body prior to restoration....
2. A beautifully restored V-100. This is the version as commonly used my US Army MP units.
3. This is the kind primarily used by the USAF. Instead of a turret like the Army model, it has a raised "parapet" with hardpoint mounts for machineguns. The top hatch is a large bi-fold type.
4. Front view of the same vehicle.
5. And a great view of the aft side.
6. Side view with the split hatch open
7. Inside a V-100. Surprisingly roomy and unrestricted.

These images are from a rare old General Electric armament department manual I own, "7.62-mm Minigun, Firepower for Today's Army". The photos were taken at a minigun demonstration at Fort Gordon, Georgia on March 25, 1970. Once again, there are some nice shots of the interior, which are hard to come by.

The XM706 was the Army's designation for the V-100. You'll notice the difference between this setup and the V-150 with Vulcan 20mm cannon (image 6) on the previous page. While that vehicle and its weapon system are designed for an AA role, this one clearly is designed for engaging ground targets despite its 45 degree maximum elevation.

These thumbnails are designed for fast loading. The full images run 500 or 600 pixels in maximum size, and are designed for maximun quality and 300dpi resolution. I'm going to dispense with any captions as these seem pretty self-explanatory. The gunner's sight and periscope are seen to good effect in the next-to-last image.