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M1040 Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV)

Rockbottomfarm

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I was at Ft. Lewis as a newly minted PV1 in 1984 when I first saw these. At that time I was a Combat Engineer (grunt with tools). I saw those buggies zipping around Yakima and realized I may have picked the wrong job. Thirty-plus years later they still possess an unusually high cool factor. Good luck with the project.
 

mkcoen

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I was at Ft. Lewis as a newly minted PV1 in 1984 when I first saw these. At that time I was a Combat Engineer (grunt with tools). I saw those buggies zipping around Yakima and realized I may have picked the wrong job. Thirty-plus years later they still possess an unusually high cool factor. Good luck with the project.
Don't you just miss Yakima? /sarc
 

signalcorps

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Longwood Fl
I have talked to a couple other Veterans who were there too. The one's who lived in the south west didn't think much about them because they grew up around sand rails flying over dunes. It must have been a sight in Washington State! I will post more photos as I work on it. I think it is going to be a fun ride!
 

Valence

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Waaaaay cool!

I've always wanted one, but with bigger tires, more ground clearance and suspension travel... :roll:

Much work ahead for ya, but you knew that. I hope to see your very detailed restoration thread soon --- or it begin in this one!
 

mkcoen

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I have talked to a couple other Veterans who were there too. The one's who lived in the south west didn't think much about them because they grew up around sand rails flying over dunes. It must have been a sight in Washington State! I will post more photos as I work on it. I think it is going to be a fun ride!
The Yakima Training Center is high mountain desert. Not too many sand dunes but lots of sage brush and loads of Mt St Helens ash. The photos you posted look like they were taken at Ft Lewis rather than Yakima. I wasn't stationed there until '87 and by that time they were a rare sight.
 

signalcorps

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Longwood Fl
They went thru 3 years of testing as a Surrogate for the HTLD program from 1982-1985 at Fort Washington. During that time the Army put every kind of weapon thru tests to see what was the best. They finally decided on the TOW but needed a 3-man crew to support it. They modified the FAV into a 3 man configuration and renamed it the Desert Patrol Vehicle. The Seals used it in Desert Storm and a few are still in use.
 

signalcorps

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Longwood Fl
More versions

Here are few more configurations. Don't know if I would want to be on the multiple rocket launcher version. They also came up with the first attack vehicle that was 100% remote/radio controlled. The operator wore goggles that look like todays VR headset. He could drive the vehicle and fire any weapon they could mount. This was in 1983. The creepy thing was they actually put a robot-looking creature in it with big round eyes. The operator saw thru the robot eyes.
 

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DaninNM

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Auction FAV purchase two days ago.....

I just bought TWO FAVs at gov't eqpt auction on Saturday ...appreciate info on where to get manuals and ops info....one is missing sdome baskets - otherwise complete....need to buy some batteries to see if the engine runs....also need new seats - the sun trashed those!! Are they Beard seats???? already ahve a potential movie rental!!!! daninnm
 

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