F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion Light Tank
The Scorpion was the first all-aluminium armoured vehicle in the world, it combined lightness, manoeuverability and speed. The vehicle was built by Alvis and it was powered by a military version of the Jaguar XK 4.2 litre engine which gave the Scorpion a top speed of 90 km/h on roads. The vehicle could be fitted with folding flotation devices for amphibious operations. The Scorpion was taken out of British Army service in the 1990s, when the 76 mm had become tactically obsolete. Some Scorpions have been sold to museums and private owners, others are converted to the Scimitar configuration, but using 30 mm Rarden turrets of obsolete Fox armoured recce vehicles.
Available Scale Model Kits
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:35 AFV Club
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:35 Revell 03001
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:76 Airfix 01320
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:76 Skytrex FF632
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:87 Trident 80125
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:285 GHQ N92
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:285 GHQ N56 (90 mm up-gunned variant)
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, 1:300 Heroics & Ros BM05
Technical Specifications
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion
- Motor: 4.2 litre Jaguar XK V-12 cylinder, 140 kw
- Speed: 90 km/h on roads
- Range: 644 km
- Length: 4800 mm
- Width: 2230 mm
- Height: 2100 mm
- Weight: 8073 kg
- Armour: 12.7 mm
- Armament: 76 mm Gun, 7.62 mm co-axial Machine Gun, smoke grenade dischargers
- Crew: Commander, Gunner, Driver
- Production: 1972– (2.600 units)
Historical Employment
- British Army 1972–1990s
Official Variants
- F.V. 101 CVR(T) Scorpion, Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) Fire Support
- 90 mm up-gunned Scorpion variant
- F.V. 102 Striker, Tank Hunter with Swingfire ATGW
- F.V. 103 APC Spartan, Armoured Personnel Carrier
- F.V. 104 Samaritan, Armoured Ambulance
- F.V. 105 ACV Sultan, Armoured Command Vehicle
- F.V. 106 Samson, Armoured Recovery Vehicle
- F.V. 107 CVR(T) Scimitar, Armoured Recce Vehicle
The Scorpion family of armoured fighting vehicles includes a number of interesting variants, of which the Scorpion and Scimitar recce vehicles are most useful for wargamers.