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Fabrique National Model AS 24

Built by Belgium’s Fabrique National, the Model AS 24 was an airdeliverable, motorized folding combat trike which came complete with its own trailer. In addition to operational use in the Congo, the country of Peru is said to have also used the AS 24.

Specs:

Passengers: 4 including Driver
Weight: 374 lb (170 kg)
Cargo: 770 lb (350 kg) of men and equipment.
Height: 2 ft 10 in (85 cm)
Engine: 15 hp (11 kW) Two-cylinder, two-stroke, 15 cubic inch (0.245 litres, 245cc) model FN 24
Speed: 60 mph (97 km/h)

 

Can you image driving that thung at 60mph? I can see how it could catch some air.

The US Army even evaluated the vehicle in 1963 but didn’t adopt it.

Although other commercial three wheelers were adopted by specialists units such as USAF CCT, eventually they were abandoned due to safety concerns of roll overs, particularly during turns.  

If you want to see how to configure the AS 24 once it had successfully parachuted safely to the ground, check out this video.

Thanks to Jon S for the tip.

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This entry was posted on Monday, March 16th, 2015 at 05:05 and is filed under International, Mobility, Parachuting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

16 Responses to “Fabrique National Model AS 24”

  1. Buckaroomedic says:
    March 16, 2015 at 06:21

    OK, that guy in the video has way too many nice road-going toys.

  2. Jon, OPT says:
    March 16, 2015 at 07:30

    Nice post, I figured if anyone knew about this it would be you guys. Never heard of this until I saw that site.

    Jon, OPT

  3. Ray says:
    March 16, 2015 at 09:54

    Why didnt they try tadpole trike? ( 2 front wheels and one rear wheel) Stability problem solved. Even VW is testing them.

    • SSD says:
      March 16, 2015 at 11:31

      Because it was the 60s.

    • straps says:
      March 16, 2015 at 23:06

      Tadpole used to force you to decide whether the vehicle would be stable and comfortable OR easy to steer. Modern materials and manufacturing no longer require a compromise–ESPECIALLY on an off-road vehicle.

  4. Ray says:
    March 16, 2015 at 09:57

    Nevermind, it would’ve been pretty tough to fold it like that

  5. Dev says:
    March 16, 2015 at 10:38

    Look at that guy’s face as he catches some air!

  6. Bill says:
    March 16, 2015 at 13:46

    Those 3-wheeled trikes killed slightly more rednecks than the 4 wheeled ones have here. IIRC the Consumer Product Safety Council made them go away, along with my other favorite toy, Lawn Darts.

  7. Haji says:
    March 16, 2015 at 14:17

    Such a vehicle would be good for picking up girls in Minsk.

  8. Riceball says:
    March 16, 2015 at 17:55

    This trike reminds of something between a German kettenkrad and a Bren carrier from WW II, just more compact.

  9. bozo says:
    March 17, 2015 at 14:41

    lol – 770 lbs of cargo (+374 vehicle weight) on a 15hp 2-stroke? Beats the hell outta walkin’ I reckon!!