Fast Attack Vehicle - w/Shark Mouth
Model Number: 58539
Released
Q3 2012
Drive
RWD
Chassis Description
ABS plastic 'tub'
Body Type
ABS Plastic
Motor
540
Scale
1/10
This version includes a sticker set that is reminiscent of WWII era American warplanes. The included sticker set depicts a shark mouth and air force star markings.
Originally released in 1984, the Fast Attack Vehicle was an R/C buggy that reproduced the look and feel of a special type of a military vehicle.
It features a realistic body and roll cage and offers superior off-road performance.
Specifications
Construction type: assembly kit
Terrain use: multi-purpose
Drive-train: 2WD
Drive type: gearbox
Drive line: dog bone
Differential type: gear
Suspension: fully independent double wishbone
Steering mechanism: bell-crank
Shock damper: friction damper
Shock damper material: plastic
Tire type: rubber
Tire tread: rally block
Body material: ABS Plastic
ESC included:TEU-105BK
LED Light buckets: no
LED lights: no
Motor type: 540-brushed type
Chassis material: plastic
Sticker material: vinyl
Internal gear ratio:
Adjustable camber: fixed
Adjustable toe angles: front only
Adjustable ride height: fixed
Adjustable gear ratio: fixed
Adjustable wheelbase: fixed
Adjustable track width: fixed
Adjustable shock angle: fixed
Anti-squat adjustment: fixed
Droop adjustment: fixed
Special features
Parts for soldier figure and M60 machine gun included.
1150 ball bearings
From the orignal TC entry by RETRO R/C;
The F.A.V as it is affectionately known, was Tamiya's 3rd Military based vehicle - after the XR-311 and the Wild Willy(not including tanks).
The FAV is not a terribly complicated design at all - however it performed VERY well.
The rear suspension is of the trailing link type - with basic coil sprung shock absorbers. The front suspension was quite interesting - as it is also of the trailing link type, again with simple coil over springs doing the work.
If there was one real weak link with the car - it was the differential - the same basic alloy cast gears that were used in the frog. These gears were quite prone to stipping prematurely. The 'dog bones' were also the same type as the Frog/Brat and Lancia - and these also wore out rather quickly.
Overall though, the car was fast - reliable and good looking -particularly when painted in a military theme.
Later, Tamiya released the Wild One - the only other car that used the FAV's chassis platform. The Wild one is considered by many people to be the last of the truly 'realistic' looking cars produced by Tamiya. It is a shame - as the FAV's platform was quite a good handling chassis - accompanied by the typical Tamiya scale realism.
A truly classic car for any enthusiast.