A few days ago I posted a couple of teaser photos on my TOW Jeep thread.
This is what they are from. It’s the Hobbyboss ‘Delta Force FAV’ kit - the FAV bit might be correct but I have my doubts about the D-Boys bit (unless you regard the Chuck Norris extravaganza of the same name as valid research material). None of the Delta buggies I’ve seen photos of seem to match the kit configuration, but I could be wrong of course
Anyhow, the kit makes a good base for the FAVs used by 9ID in the mid 1980s, most notably during Team Spirit ‘86 in South Korea. With my current interest in TOW vehicles, it was an obvious project to pursue.
I started by adding detail to the engine. It’s OK but lacks some detail and all the hoses and wiring. I’m also very dubious about the exhaust system provided in the kit. It doesn’t match in-service vehicles I’ve seen. I haven’t yet decided on how to replicate the spaghetti-like tangle of exhaust pipes, but I’m developing a couple of ideas along the way.
The vehicle s missing a whole section on the lower rear part of the frame (around the engine) and I haven’t tackled that yet.
The cabin roof went, but not before I’d used it as a template for the additional weapons frame seen on the 9ID vehicles. The rear fender stowage trays seem to be unique to the TOW carriers. The HMG and GMG vehicles don’t appear to have them. What is interesting is that both TOW and non-TOW vehicles can be seen with TOW missile racks across the back. The TOW control unit is located in the tray just behind the crew, but I can’t see where the radio would be carried as there isn’t enough space for both the control unit and the VRC 64 - another conundrum to resolve.
I’m fitting the smoke grenade launcher unit - the kit provides the mounting plate but not the four-barrel unit.
The precise location of the TOW mount may actually vary from vehicle to vehicle and the weapons frame varies slightly as well (one at least seems to have more of a ‘roof’ than others). It’s difficult to tell.
Here are the bulk of the reference photos I’ve found online. I am deliberately not using photos of prototypes and restored examples unless I can validate the features against one of the in-service buggies - I long ago learnt to distrust restorations (some of which are actually replicas passed off as genuine). SAS Pink Panther Landies are a minefield of well restored, poorly restored and downright fakes - and I see no reason why the same spread doesn’t exist across other vehicle types too
Saw two of them at Ft Lewis two years ago. One is outside under a roof and the other is inside in a diorama. I might have pics if you’re interested in them. Im out of state now and get home Saturday.
Thanks for all the responses - much to think about. Whilst checking the reference photos last night I realised that one vehicle appears in two different photos - perhaps not surprising given that I think there were only around 20 deployed for Team Spirit ‘86(?)
Check out the non-standard stowage for the spare boots
The lower image shows six FAVs - three coming towards the camera (the third one almost entirely hidden by the nearest FAV, but note the Mk 19 behind the TOW tube) and the other three in the background are facing away from the camera.
What I find interesting is that nearly all of the TOWs appear to be loaded with Missile Simulation Rounds, a pre MILES training aid that simulates the backblast of a launching live round using a small pyrotechnic device about the size of a cherry bomb. The wire attachment lugs and blast chamber are visible in those photos. The MSRs are also weighted to the full weight of a live TOW round, which was around 54 or 56 lbs IIRC.
The top photo is probably the subject of the kit - the louvred plate over the frame and the low-hanging exhaust manifolds below the cyclinder blocks are exactly what the kit provides. However, the bulk of photographed FAVs (where it’s visible) show a simpler exhaust system that runs above the cylinder blocks. Frankly, that makes more sense because if you run them under the blocks they become the lowest part of the vehicle - below the floor level.That’s an accident waiting to happen on an off-roader. I’ve posted some images of what I think the more likely arrnagement is.
Rob - thanks for the idea of using the wire - that has potential I think.
Frenchy - thanks for a great set of images. Some of those are early prototypes (without the side stowage cages).
Stkpusher - yes, I noticed the TOW tubes as well. They seem to be a permanent feature because I can’t recall seeing a TOW FAV without one fitted.
Here’s another curiosity - the FAVs with two aerials often seem to have an additional stowage box sitting on top of the vehicle, just behind the cab - presumably platoon command vehices?.
If you’re interested I have a bunch of photos of the below three decommissioned FAVs from the Russell Military Museum just outside Chicago. They were all in pretty poor shape when I visited back in 2018, but it was cool seeing them in real life.
I also went down a rabbit hole researching FAVs and DPVs a few years back and found low-quality copies of Emerson Electrics’ Operators’, Repair, and Parts manuals for the vehicle; they weren’t as useful as I had hoped, but still interesting. Apparently Emerson partnered with Chenowth to develop the vehicle, which they refer to in the manuals as a Surrogate Fast Attack Vehicle (SFAV).
Anyways, let me know if you’re interested in the RMM vehicle pics and I’ll do a Dropbox or post them to Prime Portal or something.
