The HVY Ripley is an airline pushback tractor in Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online.
Design
Grand Theft Auto IV
The design of the Ripley is believed to be based on the SCHOPF F-series line of pushback tractors, mainly the F180 for the overall shape, similar cabin height and the elevated section on the back. However, its dimension leans towards larger models such as the F246 or the F300.
The truck has a large square-shaped body with a relatively small wheelbase. The front holds a large yellow and black striped ram bar with a towbar on the center, large squared headlights beside it and rectangular turn signals on the outer edges. The cabin has a large windshield and two long wipers on the center.
On the sides, the truck has large wheel arches with small unusable marker lights on top of each one and large vents on the central area, as well as black stripes passing through the lower sides. The cabin has large doors with large windows and a set of rear-view mirrors, where the rectangular ones are fitted with front-facing marker lights. The roof area has unusable amber beacons, two trumpet horns and two antenna, while the back section has an elevated compartment on the center and side unusable beacons on the rear quarters of the cabin. The interior appears to use two digital displays on either side.
On the rear end, the truck has a large engine vent on the center and four marker lights near the upper edges, while the lower area has rectangular tail light units, each one consisting of outer turn signals, middle main/brake lights and inner reverse lights. The bottom area holds the same yellow and black striped ram bar with a towbar on the center, like the front end.
The truck bears a FlyUS livery, complete with a Jet image on either side and "Transparent Star" stencils close to every FlyUS logo and the slogan above the front wheels. It is only available in a greyish white color around the body, and uses oversized variations of the industrial wheels seen in trucks like the Mule and the Phantom, fitted with high-profile tires.
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
The Ripley returns in Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online with the same appearance and livery as in GTA IV, except that the roof beacons are transparent, and the engine's vents have fewer separations, allowing to partially see the engine textures through these. In the enhanced version, the vehicle receives an updated interior with analog dials also used on vehicle like the first generation Burrito and the Mule, but the radio set and instruments are displayed on both sides.
The vehicle can spawn in a white primary color applied on the body, and a light grey or yellow secondary color applied on the portions below the black side stripes and the towbars. It retains the same oversized industrial wheels.
Current Design Gallery
Version History Gallery
Performance
Grand Theft Auto IV
As expected from a large, heavy, box-shaped vehicle, the Ripley has very limited performance. Its top speed is very low, and acceleration may seem slow, but considering how low the top speed is, acceleration is above average. However, the vehicle has a great deal of traction thanks to its high-profile tyres and rear-mid-rear engine configuration. The high mass and the mid-rear engine layout vastly helps in sorting out small cars without damaging the engine, but its large windows provide little to no protection against gunfire. The slow speed and the large profile makes this truck highly vulnerable to gunfire, especially explosives. The vehicle has a very stiff suspension compared to other trucks.
The vehicle's behind-driver steering system is extremely beneficial for its turning circle, as it can corner very easily with minimal effort, and understeer is still minimal. According to the handling files, the Ripley has the highest steering angle of all GTA IV vehicles, able to turn its wheels up to 45 degrees, explaining its particular steering capabilities. Still, the player has to be careful while navigating through busy streets, as the solid mirrors give it a wider profile than what the appearance may suggest, being prone to collide with other vehicles and obstacles such as light posts, traffic lights and small barriers.
The truck is powered by a large engine coupled to a 3-speed gearbox in a RWD layout. Its engine sound is shared with the Trashmaster, being not as smooth as the Mule's, but not as loud as the Phantom's.
GTA IV Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engines | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 43 / 70 | 3 | N/A | RWD | 9500 / 20944 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | 3 | RR/RMR | RWD | Cannot be observed |
Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online
Like most trucks, the Ripley's performance is defined by its average pickup, below average top speed and poor brakes, but has a tight turning radius due to its very short wheelbase. It is also slightly easier to navigate through busy streets due to the mirrors no longer being solid.
This truck can pack a powerful punch on cars, and can tip them over easily at relatively low speeds. Additionally, the Ripley's mid-to-rear-mounted engine configuration allows the vehicle to survive large numbers of head-on collisions; the openness of the cab, however, exposes the player to gunfire. Also, the large tires can easily be shot and blown out, making getaways from high-end police extremely difficult.
Again, the truck is powered by a large engine coupled to a 3-speed gearbox in a RWD layout. Its engine sound is the same as before, also shared with the Trashmaster.
GTA V/GTA Online Overview
| Acceleration (0-60 mph in Seconds) |
Top Speed (mph / kmh) |
Gears | Engine | Drivetrain (FWD / RWD / AWD) |
Mass (kg / lbs) |
Fuel Tank Size (litres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 70 / 113 | 3 | N/A | RWD | 9500 / 20944 | 65 |
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Cannot reach | 53.9 / 86.8 | 3 | RR/RMR | RWD | Cannot be observed | Cannot be observed |
 |
Speed | |||||
| Acceleration | ||||||
| Braking | ||||||
| Traction | ||||||
Image Gallery
Locations
Grand Theft Auto IV
- Can be found driving around the tarmac of Francis International Airport or parked next to aircraft around the complex. Rarely, it can be seen driving on the roads around the airport parking lots.
Grand Theft Auto V
- It is most commonly found driving around the Los Santos International Airport, but can also be found parked next to several plane hangars.
Trivia
General
- The Ripley's name is an homage to lead character Ellen Ripley of the Alien films (played by Sigourney Weaver) — in the second film in the franchise, Aliens, the APC used by the Colonial Marines was built using a decommissioned Hunslet ATT77 airliner tug as a base.
- The default radio stations for the Ripley are:
- GTA IV: Integrity 2.0, WKTT Radio, Liberty Rock Radio 97.8 or PLR.
- Episodes from Liberty City: Integrity 2.0, WKTT Radio or Liberty Rock Radio 97.8.
- GTA V: N/A
- Unlike real-life pushback tractors, the Ripley does not feature steerable rear wheels.
Grand Theft Auto IV
- Driving the Ripley around the Francis International Airport will cause Banshees to spawn in the parking lots. However, in The Ballad of Gay Tony, driving the Ripley around the Francis International Airport will cause Washingtons and Faggios to spawn in the parking lots.
- The "Transparent Star" text above the FlyUS logo might be reference to Star Alliance, as FlyUS takes influence from real life members of Star Alliance, mainly United Airlines, and (formerly) US Airways.
See Also
Other airport vehicles in the Grand Theft Auto series:
- Baggage Handler - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars.
- Tug - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
- Airtug - Grand Theft Auto IV & Grand Theft Auto V.
- Feroci and Perennial - Airport service vehicles in Grand Theft Auto IV.
