The airborne troops need different equipment, while special requirements are imposed on such vehicles. Equipment for this type of troops should be able to drop parachute while maintaining the required characteristics. One of the most original projects for a light vehicle for paratroopers was created in the early sixties by the Belgian company Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal (FN). The troops were offered the AS 24 landing tricycle.
Currently, FN is known primarily for its small arms, produced in several factories in Belgium and abroad. However, there were other products in the list of manufactured products earlier. FN motorcycles have been on the market for several decades. Over time, the production of such equipment was curtailed, but before that, Belgian engineers managed to create several interesting samples of civil and military use.
Belgian paratroopers at AS 24 dj during the fighting in the Congo. Photo G503.com
The project, designated AS 24, has been in development since the late fifties and was completed in 1960. The purpose of the work was to create a promising light vehicle suitable for use by airborne troops. The project was based on several main ideas. So, the promising transport had to be distinguished by its simplicity of design, use existing serial units, show high running characteristics and be able to transport both people and goods. In addition, the new machine was to be transported by existing military transport aircraft and parachuted.
The analysis of the existing requirements and the use of the existing experience allowed the specialists of the FN company to quickly form the general appearance of the new airborne vehicle. It was proposed to build the vehicle according to the tricycle scheme and equip the existing model with the engine. It should be noted that back in the mid-thirties, the Belgian company applied a similar approach in the Tricar project, however, for some reason, all its advantages were never fully realized. At the same time, however, at the end of the fifties there was no talk of direct borrowing of ideas from the old project.
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General view of one of the surviving tricycles. Photo by Military1.be [/center]
The result of the design work was the appearance of a light transport vehicle of an unusual design with a number of characteristic features. Also, for joint use with the AS 24 tricycle, an additional vehicle was created in the form of a towed bogie. The proposed machine could be used as a vehicle for transporting people or goods. In addition, the use of technology as a carrier of light weapons was not ruled out.
FN's previous military tricycle project involved the use of the front of an existing motorcycle, complemented by new units in the form of a cargo platform and a rear axle. In the AS 24 project, a different machine architecture was proposed that solved the assigned tasks, but reduced the number of ready-made units used. For example, all the structural elements of the structure had to be developed from scratch, although their structure was simplified as much as possible to facilitate the machine and reduce the cost of production.
Front frame, steering wheel and pedals. Photo Barnfinds.com
One of the elements that gave the FN AS 24 tricycle its recognizable appearance was the front frame, which served as a support for the front wheel and some controls. The prototype of the machine received a frame of a relatively complex shape: an assembly with a horizontal lower, rounded side and curved upper parts was bent from a pipe of appropriate length. There was a set of struts and other additional parts inside the frame.
Subsequently, the frame design was simplified. Its main element was an oval tubular part, to which additional pipes were attached. So, on the left side of the frame, near the driver's workplace, there was a vertical stand, to the middle of which a horizontal part in the form of a semicircular pipe was attached. On the right, inside the frame, there was a strut of great length, also connected to a curved horizontal part. To the upper part of the frame, from the side of the crew, there was a curved tube with fasteners for installing the steering column and other units.
Museum specimen, front view. Photo Wikimedia Commons
In the center of the lower tube of the frame, there was a mount for installing a single front wheel. Directly on the frame was installed a bushing swinging around a vertical axis with a wheel bearing. The wheel had the ability to rotate freely. To control the machine along the course, a relatively simple "pinion-rack" steering mechanism was proposed. The control gear was attached to the shaft using a cardan gear connected to the steering column. The latter was located at an angle to the vertical and rose above the frame, and was also equipped with a steering wheel. The rack of the mechanism provided rotation of the wheel hub around the vertical axis. All front wheel steering mechanisms were located on the left half of the frame.
Two rectangular beams were attached to the lower part of the front frame, running along the axis of the machine. It should be noted that these details only reached the crew seat: such a feature of the power elements was associated with the need to reduce the dimensions of the landing vehicle. With the help of simple devices in the form of casings and clamps, the beams of the front frame were connected to the beams of the rear of the machine. The latter were located slightly higher.
One of the options for your own body. Photo Military1.be
The rear part of the AS 24 tricycle, which contained the power plant and transmission, was also distinguished by its simplicity of design. On the longitudinal beams located at the bottom of the machine, there were two rectangular side frames made of a similar metal profile. At the back, the longitudinal beams were connected by a transverse piece of the required width. Also in this part of the machine there were several additional beams and racks necessary for the installation of one or another equipment.
On the starboard side of the rear frame was the FN Type 24 motorcycle engine. It was a two-stroke, two-cylinder boxer engine with a displacement of 245 cc, capable of developing power up to 15 hp. Under the engine there was a gearbox connected to the rear drive axle. The transmission of torque from the gearbox to the drive axle was carried out using a chain. The exhaust of both cylinders was diverted through a common pipe and fed to a muffler located under the rear cross-beam of the frame. It was proposed to control the power plant using three pedals located on the lower part of the front frame and a lever at the driver's workplace. The communication of the controls with the units of the machine was carried out using several bowden cables. So, the cables from the pedals passed through the left front beam, after which they went out and were fixed on other structural elements. A kickstarter lever was used to start the engine. The fuel tank with a capacity of 10, 5 liters had a cylindrical shape and was placed at the left side just above the engine.
Tricycle with a trailer. Photo Barnfinds.com
The AS 24 tricycle received a rear drive axle of a fairly simple design. Bearings were installed on rigid frame mountings for mounting the wheel axle. No shock absorbers were provided. Both wheels were placed on a single axle with a common drive from the engine. An interesting feature of the chassis of a promising car was the use of three identical wheels of a characteristic appearance. To improve cross-country ability, wheels with a metal disc and rubber tires of increased width were used. It was assumed that such a design of the wheels would increase the cross-country ability on various landscapes. To protect the crew and cargo from splashes and mud, all three wheels received relatively simple fenders. The front was covered with a rigid metal wing of a semicircular shape, and the rear ones received a lightweight structure of tarpaulin and its holding rods.
Machine with a loaded trailer. Photo Wikimedia Commons
The driver and passengers of the landing vehicle were asked to be placed on a common seat that occupied its entire width. In front of the rear longitudinal beams were placed fasteners for installing a bench seat with a backrest. Interestingly, different series of tricycles received different seats. Some cars were equipped with products in the form of a metal frame with a tarpaulin stretched over it, while others received soft "sofas" with leatherette upholstery. Regardless of the materials, the seat could be folded when the machine was transferred to the landing position.
According to reports, a number of Belgian FN AS 24 vehicles received additional funds for the transport of goods. On the vertical rear frames, a cargo area of small length could be mounted, on which it was possible to place one or another small size and corresponding weight. At the same time, the use of such a body required the appropriate placement of the fuel tank. Thus, vehicles with a tank higher than the vertical frame struts cannot carry the cargo area.
Trailer, rear view. You can consider the elements of the wheeled chassis. Photo Barnfinds.com
As a more convenient means of transporting goods, a single-axle towed trailer of the most simple design was proposed. The base of the trailer was a frame formed by several metal profiles. It included three longitudinal and two transverse beams. From below, a wooden flooring was attached to such power elements, and from above they were equipped with fences of small height. On the bottom of the platform, two parts of a complex shape were installed, which served as a support for two wheels, similar to those used on the tricycle itself. In front of the trailer there was a tow bar and support to maintain an acceptable position in the absence of a tug. At the rear, the trailer had its own loop for attaching another similar vehicle, so that one AS 24 machine could tow several platforms with a load.
A light transport vehicle of a new type was supposed to have the ability to parachute landing, which made special demands on dimensions and weight. In addition, the authors of the project took measures aimed at further reducing the size of equipment during the landing. To transfer the AS 24 tricycle to the landing position, it was necessary to remove the control lever from the seat, and also release its own mounts. After that, the seat was folded with a hinge and laid on the rear frame. Then it was required to open the fasteners connecting the longitudinal beams, after which the front of the car moved back. By performing this procedure, it was possible to shorten the length of the tricycle by about one and a half times, which made it easier to equip it with a parachute system and then drop it from military transport aircraft. After arriving at the indicated place, the machine was transferred to the working position: the front part was extended and secured in place, after which the seat and the lever were installed.
FN AS 24 folded. Photo Maxmatic.com
The cargo trailer could also be taken apart. At the same time, the wheels and parts for their fastening, as well as the towing beam and support, were removed from the platform. The removed wheels and other devices were fixed to the platform. When a tricycle with a trailer was jointly dropped on the same platform, it was possible to position the vehicle itself. It took no more than a few minutes to transfer the equipment to the working position.
The FN AS 24 transport vehicle turned out to be quite compact. Its width did not exceed 1.5 m, and its height was only 85 cm. Its curb weight was 170 kg. On itself, the tricycle could carry a payload weighing 370 kg in the form of several soldiers or some kind of cargo. The towed trailer made it possible to carry another 250 kg. The width of the single seat of the car made it possible to take on board up to four people, including the driver. However, passengers did not have to rely on much comfort, since the car had a hard seat of limited width and was not equipped with any springs. Tests have shown that the proposed tricycle can reach speeds of up to 100 km / h.
The tricycle and trailer are prepared for a parachute drop. Photo Carrosserie-kayedjian.fr
In the early sixties, the Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal company built a new type of experimental equipment, which was soon put out for testing. During the checks, the tricycles of the first version confirmed the calculated characteristics, although some features of the car needed improvements. In particular, before the start of mass production, the AS 24 received an updated front frame of a less complex shape. Based on the results of the modifications, the vehicle for the landing was recommended for mass production and adoption.
Over the course of several years of serial production, FN has built and handed over to the customer 460 units of new equipment. All these vehicles were transferred to the Belgian airborne troops. In accordance with the order of the Belgian military department, the AS 24 tricycles were produced in various configurations, corresponding to a particular role. Most of the cars were vehicles for the transport of soldiers and goods. Fewer tricycles were equipped with mounts for installing radio stations, designed to ensure proper command and control of troops. It was also proposed to use such a technique as a light mobile means of transporting calculations of machine guns and anti-tank missile systems. Regardless of their role on the battlefield or in the rear, all vehicles retained the ability to land by landing or parachute.
The car is being tested. Photo G503.com
In the early seventies, the FN AS 24 tricycle could become the subject of an export contract. In 1973, one of the machines was handed over to the United States for testing and evaluation. The unusual vehicle passed all the necessary checks, but did not interest the potential customer. In the future, none of the foreign countries showed interest in such technology, which is why Belgium remained its only operator.
From the moment the first production samples were received, the Belgian paratroopers began active exploitation of the new equipment. During the first years, it was conducted only for the purpose of training personnel and as part of various training activities. Subsequently, AS 24 were first used in a real armed conflict. Since the early sixties, there has been a civil war in the Congo. In November 1964, the so-called. the Simba rebels, by then controlling Stanleyville, took about 1,800 white residents hostage, planning to use them as a means to their ends. To solve this problem, Brussels decided to use amphibious troops.
All four places are occupied by fighters. Photo Schwimmwagen.free.fr
On November 24, Operation Red Dragon kicked off with the capture of Stanleyville Airport by a battalion of paratroopers. Having occupied the airport, the paratroopers ensured the arrival of new units, including those with heavy weapons. The units participating in the operation were armed with a large number of different equipment, including the FN AS 24 tricycles. The latter were used by the airborne troops for the rapid transfer of personnel and weapons to designated areas. Operation Red Dragon ended on November 27 with partial success. The Belgian paratroopers lost two people killed and 12 wounded. 24 hostages were killed by the enemy, the rest were released and taken out of the danger zone. At the same time, during the operation, the real characteristics of the three-wheeled vehicle were confirmed.
The operation of the landing tricycles continued for several decades. Only by the end of the seventies, the Belgian military department was able to begin a full replacement of such equipment with other models. It was now proposed to use cars of existing models with the required characteristics as new light multi-purpose vehicles for the landing. Such machines had significant advantages over the existing tricycles, which affected the further fate of the latter.
Tricycle on the track. Photo Maxmatic.com
Over time, all FN AS 24 vehicles, once considered successful and promising vehicles, were removed from service due to the replacement of newer technology. Some of the decommissioned tricycles went for recycling, while other cars managed to avoid this fate and survive to our time. Several unusual cars are now museum pieces, and a significant number of tricycles are in private collections. It should be noted that the latter, due to the ease of operation and maintenance, for the most part still remain on the run and are used in various military-historical events. It is noteworthy that the large number of surviving tricycles makes it possible to notice the differences between the various samples. For various reasons, the equipment was refined both during operation by the troops and after it was written off and sold. As a result, the technique is distinguished by the location of the fuel tanks, the presence of some additional devices, as well as the condition of the units.
The goal of the FN AS 24 project was to create a light vehicle for transporting people and goods, suitable for landing by landing and parachuting. Using existing developments and some new ideas relevant to the late fifties and early sixties, the designers of the Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal company were able to create an original piece of equipment with sufficiently high characteristics. For a long time, such machines were actively used by the Belgian paratroopers, which can serve as a confirmation of the real potential of such equipment. However, over time, tricycles ceased to meet existing requirements, which is why they were replaced by newer machines of a similar purpose.
