FV101 Scorpion
From Freepedia
| Image:Scorpion recog.gif The Scorpion / Scimitar in the US Army field recognition manual | |
| FV101 Scorpion General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Length | 4.9 m |
| Width | 2.24 m |
| Height | 2.1 m |
| Weight | 8.07 t |
| Suspension | |
| Speed | 80 km/h road km/h off-road |
| Range | km |
| Primary armament | 76 mm L23A1 cannon |
| Secondary armament | Coaxial 7.62 mm L37A1 MG |
| Armour | 12.7 mm |
| Power plant | Cummins BTA 5.9 diesel 190 hp (142 kW) |
| Crew | 3 |
The FV101 Scorpion is a modern British light tank, part of the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) or, CVR(T) family. Manufactured by Alvis Vickers it was introduced into service with the British Army in 1973 and served until 1994. More than 3000 were produced.
Contents |
History
Intended to be a fast and air-transportable reconnaissance vehicle, the Scorpion is built from mainly aluminium armour and mounts a L23A1 76 mm gun firing HE, HESH, Smoke, and Canister rounds. Original models had a Jaguar 4.2 litre petrol engine and, are capable of 80 km/h. Engines have been replaced by Perkins Diesel engines which have shown longer in-service life, and have a reduced risk of fire.
The Scorpion has been withdrawn from service. The hulls have been reused with the turrets from the FV 721 Fox wheeled reconnaisance vehicle to form a new vehicle Sabre which is very similar in appearance to the Scimitar.
Use
- British Army
- British RAF Regiment
- Belgian Army (701 Scorpions and variants)
Variants
'Scorpion 90' A Scorpion with a Cockerill 90 mm gun purchased by the Malaysian forces.
Related vehicles using the same (or similar) hull include:
- FV 102 Striker anti-tank guided weapon carrier
- FV 103 Spartan armoured personnel carrier
- FV 106 Samson armoured recovery vehicle
- FV 105 Sultan command post vehicle
- FV 104 Samaritan armoured ambulance
- FV 107 Scimitar
- Sabre - Scorpion chassis retro-fitted with a turret from the Fox Armoured Reconnaisance Vehicle
These vehicles are collectively known as the CVR(T) - Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked) - family.
External links
See also
- Tank
- History of the tank
- AVGP Canadian armoured vehicle using the Scorpion turret.
| Modern (post WW2) UK armoured fighting vehicles |
|---|
| Wheeled vehicles |
| Ferret Scout Car | Fox Reconnaisance Vehicle | Saladin Armoured Car | Saracen APC |
| FV1611 "Pig" | Saxon |
| Armoured personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles |
| FV430 series | Warrior | FV103 Spartan Stormer | FV104 Samaritan | FV105 Sultan |
| Light tanks and anti-tank vehicles |
| FV101 Scorpion | FV107 Scimitar | Sabre | FV102 Striker | FV438 Swingfire |
| Self-propelled artillery |
| FV433 Abbot | AS-90 |
| Main battle tanks |
| Centurion | Conqueror | Chieftain | Challenger 1 | Challenger 2 |
| UK unarmoured or non-fighting vehicles |
