F.V. 107 CVR(T) Scimitar
Airfix 1:76 Scale Vehicle Review
The Airfix model of the Scimitar has been built almost straight from the box, only antennas and rear lights were added. The model was sprayed Gunze H330 Dark Green (British Standard Colour 381C/641), the equivalent of Humbrol 75 Bronze Green. The black disruptive stripes were painted on by hand. The hull and chassis are fun to build, but the tracks were rather difficult to fit. The soft plastic material is very thick, relatively stiff, and too short to fit around the running gear. As a result, the two rear sprockets were pulled out of place, and one sprocket broke off eventually. The only remedy was to use hot glue to hold the track in place. Hard plastic track links like those used on ESCI and new Revell models would have been much easier to work with.
Contents
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion
- Decals for a Scorpion of the Blues and Royals, Windsor 1973
- Optional F.V. 107 CVR(T) Scimitar turret with 30 mm Rarden gun
- Decals for a Scimitar of the MVEE trials unit, 1973
Evaluation
Scale model with good detail. The model depicts an early Scorpion or Scimitar with folded flotation device and partial track skirts which are not seen on later vehicles. The bolted engine deck was hinged on later models, and additional stowage bins were added at the hull sides and rear.
Compatible with Fujimi, Matchbox, Nitto, Crusader Models, JB Models, Milicast and Cromwell Models.
The soft plastic tracks are too thick and they do not fit between the hull and the drive sprocket. One way to fix this problem is to carve out the inside of the front fenders.
The tracks are slightly too short to fit over the entire running gear. As a result, the rear sprockets will be pulled out of place and they may snap off. The soft plastic material cannot be glued with any of the common modelling adhesives, therefore we used hot glue to hold the track in place.
Noticeable flash on roadwheels needs to be removed carefully to ensure a good fit.
Ejector pin marks on the right side of the hull and on the reverse side of the left-hand stowage bin need to be trimmed off.
Tools and other cast-on items are not very well defined.
Rearview mirrors, brake lights and turn indicators are not included in the kit. The lights may be scratchbuilt to improve the model.
No crew figures included in the kit.
The Scimitar is the more useful wargame model of the two F.V. 100 variants included in this kit, and it remains in service with the British Army today. The 30 mm Rarden gun will defeat enemy armoured personnel carriers and many armoured reconnaissance vehicles the Scimitar may encounter on patrol.