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FV101 Scorpion CVR(T)
Vehicle description and service history
The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle (Sometimes designated as a light tank), based on the ubiquitous CVR(t) chassis, manufactured by Alvis for both the British army and other clients, with it serving with the British armed forces from 1970 to 1994, and over 3,000 units being produced making it arguably the most successful variant of its family of seven armoured vehicles. It is also worth noting that the Scorpion holds the Guinness world record for the fastest production tank, recorded doing 82.23 km/h (51.10 mph) at the QinetiQ vehicle test track in Chertsey, Surrey, on 26 January 2002.
The origins of the scorpion are directly linked with the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) family of vehicles, which called for an armoured fighting vehicle that could be rapidly airlifted to trouble spots. The initial intent for the project involved creating a vehicle with both a gun and anti-tank missile capabilities, but this was not possible due to the design weight constraints to retain air portability. The weight limits created a necessity to use aluminium for the hull, and to use and adapted car engine for the powerplant. The direct anti-tank capability was offshooted into a dedicated vehicle known as the striker, whilst what manifested as the Scorpion would use a 76mm gun for the fire support role.
In 1967, Alvis was awarded a contract to produce 30 CVR(T) prototypes, with vehicles p1-p17 being the scorpion prototypes, which were delivered on time and within budget. These prototypes underwent extensive hot and cold trials in Norway, Australia, Abu Dhabi and Canada, resulting it the vehicle seeing adoption in 1970, with a contract for 275 being placed, which would later rise to 313 vehicles. These production vehicles would be completed in 1972 and would see their first deployments with the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry in 1973.
Alvis would ultimately built more than 3,000 Scorpion vehicles for the British Army, Royal Air Force Regiment and the export market. like the rest of its CVR(t) ilt it would retain its air portability, with two Scorpions able to be carried in a Lockheed C-130 Hercules, and this capability would see it deployed to multiple conflicts during the cold war. A bonus to this low weight also resulted in the Scorpion having a low ground pressure, something that served it well in the boggy conditions of the Falklands War.
The Scorpion as previously mentioned was armed with the low velocity 76 mm L23A1 gun, which could fire a high explosive, HESH, smoke and canister round, with storage on board for 40 or 42 rounds. This cannon was supplemented by a 7.62 mm coaxial L7 GPMG (3,000 rounds carried), along with two multi-barrelled smoke dischargers mounted one either side of the turret. The main gun had an elevation of 35 degrees and a depression of 10 degrees; the turret has a full 360-degree traverse. The traverse was hand-cranked as a cost-saving feature, making the turret initially slow and laborious, making it unsatisfactory, and this would be later rectified with vehicles as part of a life extension program.
The vehicle was propelled by a Jaguar J60 Mk 100b 4.2-litre petrol engine, but as series production and life extension programs took effect it would later be fitted with either a Cummins or Perkins diesel engine, giving it a maximum speed of about 50mph (80 km/h) with a zero to 30mph of 16 seconds. The vehicle was also amphibious with preparation and had an aquatic speed of 3.6mph (5.8 km/h). This speed came at a cost though, and at a mere 8 tonnes, the armour was not as thick as one might desire, with only 12.7 mm[ of sloped aluminium armour, giving the scorpion an average effective thickness of 25 mm. This gives the FV101 an all-around protection from shell fragments and 7.62 rounds, with the front resistant to 14,5mm rounds fired from 200m (660 ft). The vehicle is also fitted with NBC protection, image intensification sights for the gunner and driver and the aforementioned floating screen for amphibious operations. The tank also has certain crew comforts, such as a bog under the commander’s seat, an internal water tank, and most importantly a boiling vessel for cooking and heating the water carried aboard.
The vehicle would famously see action with B Squadron, Blues and Royals were airlifted and deployed into the Akrotiri and Dhekelia Sovereign Base areas, during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus 1974. The Blues and Royals would also see service in the Falklands war, where they were used in tandem with Scimitars, with the duo being the only armoured vehicles to see use by the British during the conflict. Scorpions would also see service in the first Gulf War, part of Operation Granby, where it served well in the force reconnaissance role, acting as the spearhead for the British push into Iraq.
Vehicle specification:
Mass 17,800 lb (8.074 tonnes)
Length 5.288 m (17 ft 4.2 in)
Width 2.134 m (7 ft 0 in)
Height 2.102 m (6 ft 10.8 in)
Crew 3
Armour Aluminium armour, Cast and 1318b plate
Main armament ROF 76mm L23A1 gun
Secondary armament Coaxial 7.62 mm L43A1 machine gun
Engine Cummins BTA 5.9-litre (diesel) 190 hp (140 kW)
Power/weight 22.92 hp (17.3 kW) / tonne
Transmission Self Change Gears TN15X
Suspension Torsion-bar
Operational range 756 km (470 mi)
Maximum speed 72.5 km/h (45.0 mph)
Additional historical photos:
sources:
- FV101 Scorpion - Wikipedia (Wiki for the scorpion)
- Army Guide (Additional history)
- https://www.armyrecognition.com/united_kingdom_british_army_light_armoured_vehicle/scorpion_fv101_light_reconnaissance_armoured_vehicle_technical_data_sheet_specifications_description.html (Additional history)
- https://www.militarytoday.com/tanks/fv101_scorpion.htm (More info)
