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Explore the Natural Disasters Image Gallery, featuring the TIV before the rotating turret was added for the IMAX camera. See more captivating images of natural disasters.
Courtesy of George KourounisKey Highlights
- The Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) is a modified Ford F450, designed specifically for close-range tornado filming. It is armored with steel plating and includes a rotating turret that allows for a 360° view to accommodate an IMAX camera.
- The vehicle was reinforced with heavy steel to withstand the forces of tornadoes. This includes 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) steel plate floors, a steel tubing and I-beam skeleton, and double-layered steel doors for maximum protection.
- Despite its heavy-duty armor, the TIV can reach speeds of up to 90 miles per hour (145 kilometers per hour), making it capable of safely approaching and filming inside tornadoes.
Most individuals, particularly those residing in the American Midwest, are familiar with methods to increase their odds of surviving a tornado. The first step is to take shelter in a basement or storm cellar. If that's unavailable, seek refuge in an interior, windowless room, ideally protected by a mattress or blankets. Never remain in a car or mobile home. Although it may be uncomfortable, lying in a ditch during a severe storm is far safer.
Some individuals disregard the typical advice and dive into tornado chasing. However, even the bravest chasers usually remain about a mile away from the storm — close enough to witness its power, but far enough to stay relatively safe. For those seeking an even closer experience or wanting a view of a tornado's core, an armored vehicle capable of withstanding violent winds, flying debris, and hail is a necessity.
This is precisely the purpose of the Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV), designed by IMAX cinematographer Sean Casey. The TIV is large, heavy, and built with thick armor plating. Casey's goal is to film a direct tornado strike and survive the experience.
Keep reading to explore the TIV's protective armor and equipment, and discover what happens when it faces a tornado head-on.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Willy Cheng for his help with this article.
Tank-Like Tripod
The TIV operates using the dashboard, steering, and transmission from a Ford F-450.
Photo credit: George KourounisEssentially, the TIV is a large, armored mobile tripod designed to house an IMAX camera. Its primary goal is to enable filmmakers to capture footage from very close to or even within a tornado.
Originally a Ford F450 pickup, the TIV underwent a complete transformation over three months of intense, seven-day-a-week work. After dismantling the vehicle down to its engine and chassis, Casey built a new steel frame and body, incorporating the following elements:
- 1/4" steel plate floors
- A framework made from 1/4" steel tubing and I-beams
- 1/8" steel plates welded onto the framework
Tires need protection from debris but also must be accessible, so each wheel well is covered by a hinged 1/8" steel flap. Additionally, each of the four doors is reinforced with a double layer of 1/8" steel plate, and they are secured with heavy-duty steel bolts when closed.
The side windows of the TIV are made from 1/2" Lexan resin, an incredibly durable plastic. For enhanced visibility, its windshield is crafted from scratch-resistant tempered glass combined with a Lexan laminate.
The TIV's side windows.
Image courtesy of George KourounisDesigned to offer a secure filming environment, the TIV is equipped with a military-grade turret that houses the IMAX camera. This turret can rotate 360° on 3" steel bearings, enabling the crew to capture footage in any direction. Additionally, the TIV has two hatches for mounting smaller format cameras.
The fully assembled TIV with its rotating turret.
Image courtesy of Matt CrowtherIncluding its frame and skeleton, the TIV weighs nearly 14,000 pounds. Despite this massive weight, it can still achieve speeds of up to 90 mph.
In the following section, we will explore the equipment housed within the TIV.
The Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV) is still largely a prototype, undergoing numerous modifications since it first hit the field. The TIV-2, its successor, will feature innovations like steel panels that automatically drop when the vehicle encounters a tornado’s path. These panels act to prevent air from lifting the vehicle, minimizing the chance of it becoming airborne.
The TIV has seen substantial work and repairs to maintain its functionality. But why not simply use a tank instead?
A key reason is that tanks are far slower than the TIV. Tornadoes can form and dissipate in mere minutes, so speed is critical for tornado chasers. Thanks to the TIV’s reliance on a standard pickup truck’s engine and steering, driving it doesn’t require specialized training.
Mobile Weather Station
The TIV, now equipped with an IMAX camera turret, stands beside two Doppler on Wheels units.
Photo courtesy of George KourounisBecause the TIV can withstand extremely high winds and hail, it is an ideal platform for gathering tornado data. Inside the TIV, you’ll find a range of meteorological instruments, including:
- A blade anemometer, used to measure wind speed and force in a single direction.
- A sonic anemometer, which measures wind speed and force across three dimensions.
- Two global positioning system (GPS) units.
- Devices designed to measure temperature, pressure, and humidity.
Another important tool in weather research is the Doppler on Wheels (DOW), which utilizes similar instruments along with a mobile Doppler radar. However, the DOW needs to maintain a distance of two to eight miles from a tornado. Since the TIV is equipped with the same instruments as the DOW, scientists can combine their data for a richer understanding of a tornado's lifecycle.
Now, let's see what occurs when the TIV encounters a tornado.
Researchers are eager to delve deeper into tornadoes. What exactly causes their formation? What elements determine their strength? How do they behave as they do?
Two prominent projects currently aimed at gathering and analyzing tornado data are:
- Radar Observations of Tornadoes and Thunderstorms (ROTATE)
- Verification of the Origin of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX) - 2
Chasing a Tornado
The Dimmitt Tornado, located south of Dimmitt, Texas, was captured as part of the VORTEX project. The stunning photograph was provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Department of Commerce.What occurs when the TIV tracks a tornado? The answer depends on whether Casey and his team are collaborating with other chasers or working solo. The process begins with thorough research. Storm chasers must first pinpoint the areas most likely for tornado formation and figure out the optimal strategy for approaching the storm, ensuring they stay clear of its most perilous parts.
Recently, Casey has partnered with Dr. Joshua Werman from the Center for Severe Weather Research (CSWR). The CSWR uses specialized equipment, such as the DOWs, to study tornadoes. The team analyzes storm data and assists in determining where to position the TIV [ref]. When working with the CSWR, the TIV collects data up to the outer edge of the debris cloud, but not directly into the tornado itself.
However, Casey’s vision behind designing and constructing the TIV was to capture footage of a tornado as it nears and strikes the IMAX camera. To achieve this, the TIV is strategically placed in a low-lying area directly in the tornado’s path. The team films the tornado from within the TIV’s turret. Built to withstand 200 mph winds—strong enough to endure approximately 75 percent of tornadoes in the U.S.—this design, combined with careful storm tracking, minimizes the risk of damage or destruction.
Ultimately, the incredible footage gathered by the TIV will be featured in the IMAX film titled 'Tornado Alley,' which focuses on tornado phenomena.
