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TIV-1
The Tornado Intercept Vehicle 1 (TIV 1) is a heavily modified 1997 Ford F-450 Super Duty used as a storm chasing tripod on wheels and built by Sean Casey. This heavily armored vehicle can drive into a weak to relatively strong tornado (EF0 to EF3) to film the heart of the tornado and take scientific measurements. Work began when Sean bought the truck December 28th 2002, the vehicle took around eight months to finish, at a total cost of around US$81,000. TIV's armored shell consists of ⅛ inch steel plating welded onto a two-inch square steel tubing frame. The windows are bullet resistant polycarbonate, measuring 1.5 in (38 mm) thick on the windshield and 0.5 in (13 mm) thick on the sides. The TIV weighs approximately 14,000 lb (6,400 kg) and is powered by a 7.3-L Powerstroke Turbo Diesel Engine.
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After season two, the six-wheel drive system was changed to four-wheel drive. TIV 2 is powered by a 6.7-liter Cummins turbocharged diesel engine, modified with propane and water injection to produce 625 horsepower (466 kW), which gives it a top speed of over 100 mph (160 km/h). It holds 92 US gallons (348 L) of fuel, allowing it to travel about 750 miles (1,210 km). The body is made from a 1/8-inch steel skin welded over a frame of 2-inch square steel tubing, and its windows are made of bullet-resistant polycarbonate sheets and tempered glass. TIV 2 also features an IMAX filming turret like the original TIV. Instead of using the original’s air ride suspension, it uses six hydraulic skirts to deflect wind and protect its underside from debris. It did not originally come with hydraulic claws.
Interactive TIV-2 Intercept Map
Use + and - buttons to zoom in and out.
