MSV cutaway drawing
transverse 8 cyl. rotary diesel
rear transverse 8 cyl. rotary diesel
gearbox
final epicyclic drive in each hub
hydraflow brake drum; works like turbine in
reverse, slowing wheels for final braking by
disc brakes
hydraulic steering arm
disc brake
hydraulic suspension
armoured glass headlights
intakes and filters for engine and cabin air
standby electric motor supplied from battery
battery, recharged by solar collector strips
running the length of the centre rib
tv camera which supplies vision when
slit at driving position is closed
slit at driving position can be closed by
the anti radiation shutter in front of it
thick shell composed of armour plate, refrigeration
honeycomb, anti-radiation sandwich, and internal
steel wall
giant fuel tanks (each side)
the lntakes and grills on the top structure serve the air
conditioning of the rear cabin and air filters for rear
engine
fin housing aerials; a whip aerial extends above
cabin for passengers; the small slit porthole is sealed
with a special heat resistant anti-radiation lead quartz
generator driven by rear diesel, supplying current to drive motor
drive motor
universal jointed shaft to axle
gearbox through which diesel drive can
be transmitted direct to the wheels
hydraulic brake fluid cooling box
sited behind air scoop over rear
wheels
control panel
This section of the control panel gives readings for radiation level, internal and external temperature and air contamination. The calibrated screen at the bottom shows the distance of the vehicle from atomic explosion.
MSV control panel
batteries
The batteries (1) can be recharged by the solar collector strips (2) and used to drive the standby motor (3) linked to the main transverse diesel engine (4), which drive the wheels via the gearbox (5). Hydraulic damped link suspension (6) holds the twin wheels (8), which have power-assisted steering (7). Air intakes serving carburettors and driver's cabin are at (9) and headlights at (10).
MSV batteries
batteries
collector strip
standby motor
diesel engine
gearbox
suspension
steering
twin wheels
air intake
headlight
cabin
The passenger compartment has padded seats with safety straps and an intercom/exteernal TV with controls on the central arm. The TV screen faces the occupants. Over the seats, the air vents can be seen. In the event of gas or radiation, outside atmosphere is cut off and the vehicle operates its own pressurised atmosphere.
MSV cabin
shell construction
Construction of the shell shown in section at the passenger cabin window. From the outside in the layers are armour plate, refrigeration honeycomb, radiation damping sandwich and internal steel wall. The window is of a special heat-resistant, anti-radiation lead quartz.
MSV shell construction
engine
The rear engine layout is slightly different. On each side of the centre line are four of the eight rotary diesel cylinders (1) which drive the generator (2). Current passes through the distributor box (3) to the electric motors (4) and links with the front electrics (5). Drive passes through the bevel box (6) and the universal jointed drive shaft (7) to the twin wheels (8). An interesting feature is that the diesel power can be transmitted to the wheels direct via a gearbox and the bevel box (6) should the electrics fail. In view of the great weight of the vehicle special breaking is needed. In addition to the discs (10) hydraulic breaking is used in the drum (9), fed from a pressurised cylinder (11), the fluid being cooled in the cooler (12) situated in the airstream from an intake just above the rear wheels. (13) is the fluid storage tank.
MSV engine
diesel cylinder
generator
distributor box
electric motor
to front electrics
bevel box
drive shaft
twin wheels
braking drum
braking disc
braking cylinder
cooler
storage tank
brakes
The hydraulic brakes work like a turbine in reverse. Blades rotate with the wheel in a specially shaped drum forcing the working fluid from the feed pipe into the collector pipe and compressing it at the same time. The result is a steady slowing of the wheels enabling the disc brakes to be brought into play when required. The bullet-proof tyres are tubeless and filled with self-sealing compound. If this should prove ineffective a secondary inner tube automatically inflates to maintain pressure.
MSV brakes
General view of the vehicle shows (1) the central strengthening rib. (2) Radiation detectors. (3) Air intake serving cabin and rear engines. (4) Driver's compartment separated from the passengers by a bulkhead. (5) Bevel box passing transmission to the rear wheels from the transverse 8-cylinder rotary diesel (6). At (7) giant fuel tanks. The bullet-proof tyres (8), twin for double security, and the ram shock absorbers (9) are yet more safety features.
alternate cutaway
central strengthening rib
radiation detectors
air intake serving cabin and rear engines
driver's compartment separated from the passengers by a bulkhead
bevel box passing transmission to the rear wheels
transverse 8-cylinder rotary diesel
giant fuel tanks
bullet-proof tyre
ram shock absorbers

Technical specifications published originally in TV21 #161 and Captain Scarlet 1968 Annual,
later reprinted in Dutch Captain Scarlet Album

BREAKDOWN

  1. Hand-built to carry four persons. The most: security vehicle in existence
  2. Equipment comprises: unique radar computerised steering and navigation; ultrasonic radio computerised equipment; videoscan steering; survival kit
  3. Designed to carry V.I.P. personnel
  4. In event of attack the craft is hermetically sealed by timelock only to open on ultimate completion of destination
  5. In such conditions the car is air-pressurised, having its own air filter console beneath undercarriage
  6. Standby motors fitted to undercarriage are computer-controlled to be brought into operation in emergency
  7. Hydraulic suspension independent of all wheels
  8. Special anti-heat flare windows

SPECIFICATION REVISION

MSV illustration MSV illustration

Auto Control

For most up-to-date and impenetrabable security, Spectrum have devised an auto-robot, computer-controlled pilot to control MSV.

Devised on the black box computer principle, the auto-robot control is clamped into position by two bolt clamps which 'disappear' into the floor. Once clamped in position, the robot will remain there until the time-lock seal releases clamps on completion of the journey.

The robot is ultra-sensitive and controlled by computers which are primarily operated and controlled by the Captain in charge of the MSV.

Equipped with steering-hand to control the craft across terrain, the robot directs it by means of a video-scan with which it surveys terrain by means of a radar scanner, which works on the same principle as that of a bat. The radar scanner beams messages out in front of the craft and steers along the rays' course. If any object blocks the course, the radar sends back the appropriate message, allowing tiny crystallised computers to change the MSV's course.

The robot, once clamped into position, takes energy from the MSV's power-cell complex. It works on auto-pilot as well as manual and is in complete radar scan, video-link and radio communatition with Cloudbase.

additional specifications published originally in Captain Scarlet 1969 annual

MSV side elevation
Side elevation
MSV front elevation
Front elevation
MSV rear elevation
Rear elevation
MSV top elevation
Plan

Elevations originally published in Captain Scarlet model sheet

MSV
Technical Specifications
name: Maximum Security Vehicle
length: 23 feet
weight: 7.5 tons
top speed: 250 m.p.h.
armaments: electron ray discharge cannon; laser cannons
power plant: front: transverse 10-cylinder rotary diesel; rear: transverse coupled 10-cylinder rotary diesel
wheels: four sets of quartotri wheeis fitted with bulletproof self-inflating tyres
description: Four seater, high-speed maximum-security vehicle, capable of an amazing 200 mph, 24 ft long, weighing 8 tons, bulletproof, hand-assembled vehicle boasting of being indestructible. It is even rumoured that one of the prototypes withstood the combined efforts of the World Army Air Force on the testing range for a whole week. Expertly fitted with radar and two-way radio and complete with a "survival food kit". Very much a combat vehicle, carrying a lethal load of ammunition. Specifically used for transporting Mysteron-threatened V.I.P.s in the utmost safety to their destinations.
designer: Derek Meddings