The Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle (or SPV) is a fictional pursuit and attack vehicle from Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's science fiction television series Captain Scarlet and the Mysterons (1967).
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The grey-blue vehicle has ten sets of wheels (six sets over the front, middle and rear axles which are double) and an auxiliary traction system of hydraulically lowered caterpillar tracks at the rear. The driver and passengers are seated facing backwards to reduce the effect of impact in the event of a collision, with a large video monitor displaying the road ahead and behind. A co-driver has identical driving controls available, but normally mans the weaponry systems, which include a front-mounted cannon. SPVs are distributed around the world at specific Spectrum safehouses, which are disguised, often as commercial buildings. Spectrum agents can obtain access to an SPV upon showing their identification.
In the series, the SPV was realised as a 22 inch long scale model[1] designed by Derek Meddings.[2] Mike Trim who was Derek Medding's Assistant has made his own fan model.[3]
Various toy models of the SPV have been made available at various periods since the 1960s, including the Dinky Toys die-cast version, Imai and Konami models.
In the CGI series Gerry Anderson's New Captain Scarlet (2005), the SPVs successor is known as the Spectrum Rhino. The Rhino employs a far greater armoury than the original SPV, and unlike the original is incapable of travelling on water. Instead of being hidden in safehouses, they are deployed from Skybase using "Albatross" dropships. The driver of the Rhino adopts a normal driving position in contrast with its predecessor.
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