Bomb shelter on wheels

When a “dirty bomb” explodes, hunker down in your RV.

That’s the hype for a prototype recreational vehicle that recently debuted at a Florida trade show. Two companies say air-filtration systems on their 45-foot coach protects against biological, chemical or radioactive attacks.

Daniel Ayres of Homeland Defense Vehicles, a Texas-based maker of medical and command center coaches, says pressurized air in the vehicle escapes so fast infected air cannot get in, similar to the way air escapes a balloon.

The system would be an option on a $1.3-million luxury RV that towers 13 feet and includes a plasma TV, four air conditioners and a GPS system. It sleeps four, accommodates up to 15 sitting and gets 6 to 7 miles per gallon.

Parliament Coach Corp. acknowledges that drivers won’t know if the RV can withstand an attack until one happens, but the Florida company could also hawk it to “people with too much money and allergies,” says marketing director Richard Simpson.

-- Ashley Powers