The AS 24, also known as ''Véhicule Aeroporte'' or ''Tricar Parachutable'' was a military

motorized tricycle A motorized tricycle, motor trike, or motortrycle is a three-wheeled vehicle based on the same technology as a bicycle or motorcycle, and powered by an electric motor, motorcycle engine, motorcycle, scooter or car engine. Classification Dependi ...

produced by

Fabrique Nationale de Herstal Fabrique Nationale Herstal (), trading as FN Herstal and often referred to as Fabrique Nationale or simply FN, is a leading firearms manufacturer based in Herstal, Belgium. It is currently the largest exporter of military small arms in Europe. ...

during the 1960s. A single vehicle was evaluated by the US Army in 1963. 460 were produced, with the majority being used by Belgian parachute troops, notably during

Operation Dragon Rouge __NOTOC__ Operation Dragon Rouge was a hostage rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo conducted by Belgium and the United States in 1964. The operation was led by the Belgian Paracommando Regiment to rescue hostages held by Si ...

. 130 returned to service in the French paratrooper units. They were withdrawn from service in 1984, replaced by

Lohr Fardier The Lohr Fardier is a French light general purpose 4x4 vehicle, capable of being transported by air, developed by Lohr Industrie for use by airborne troops. History This light 4x4 vehicle was developed by SOFRAMAG (later Lohr Industrie) for ...

Specifications

* 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: Two-cylinder, two-stroke, 15 cubic inch (0.245 litres, 245cc) model FN 24 * Speed:

References

Fabrique National Model A.S. 24

3-Wheelers.com
AS24
Schwimmwagen.free.fr Military vehicles of Belgium Three-wheeled motor vehicles Military vehicles introduced in the 1960s {{mil-vehicle-stub