M1040 Fast Attack Vehicle (FAV)

[signalcorps]

My new project. A 1982 Chenowth Fast Attack Vehicle. Bought it as a basket case from a museum up north. It is the real thing from Fort Lewis Washington. Several parts missing and just getting started on it. Need a 50 cal for the top! Hope to have it ready for next rally.

 

[Gunzy]

Cool. But I think they carried M60s not a n M2.

 

[signalcorps]

They carried both. They also had versions with 30mm canon and TOW missile! I have a M60 for the 2nd crew mount already.

 

[signalcorps]

Versions of FAV

They had one with a MK19 Granade launcher too.

 

[Special T]

Wow that's a score!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

 

[Rockbottomfarm]

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]

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]

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]

Waaaaay cool!

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

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[dmetalmiki]

There are so many versions of those, in so many armies, You will derive much pleasure from the restoration and use.

 

[signalcorps]

As my Dad used to say "It'll be a Hoot"

 

[ODFever]

Great...now I WANT A M1040!!!

 

[signalcorps]

I have updated my Fast Attack Vehicle website. Added a bunch of photos, documents ans stories.

www.fastattackvehicle.com

 

[signalcorps]

It's all done now.
I got it registered as a Former Military Vehicle and never have to pay for tag renewal again.

 

[DaninNM]

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

 

[signalcorps]

goto my website. www.fastattackvehicle.com
All the manuals and docs are there.

 

[CARNAC]

I saw them at Ft Lewis summer of '85. I think I posted the photos about a year ago or so.