Scorpion and the CVR(T) Family

Bob Morrison

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PUBLICATIONS COMPANY

Front Cover Upper Scimitars of the 9/ 12th Lancers heading up an United Nations convoy in Bosnia, late 1982, Note the variation between left hull stowage bins and the additional mesh baskets and ammo boxes bolted to the tracked guards of both vehicles. This photo was

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before the UN banned the flying of national insignia. (Andy Burridge)

Lower A brace of 17/21st Lancers Scorpions, marked as enemy forces with orange tape , lurk on the edge of a possible airland site just before sunset.

Copyright © 1994 by CONCORD PUBLICATIONS CO, 603-609 Castle Peak Road Kong Nam Industrial Building lO/F, B1, Tsuen Wan New Territories, Hong Kong

Back Cover Upper The black jerboa on the side of the Samson marks it as belonging to the 4th Armoured Brigade, The driver's webbing personal kit, including NBC over-shoes, hangs over the right smoke dischargers,

All rights reserved, No port of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Concord Publications Co,

Middle Full seven man complement of a 51 Squadron RAF Regiment Spartan, Note the unit purchase Arktis chest rigs which were tumed out by the manufacturer at only 96 hours notice when this Squadron deployed to the Gulf.

We welcome authors who can help expand our range of books, If you would like to submit material, please feel free to contact us, We are always on the look-out for new, unpublished photos for this series, If you have photos or slides or information you feel may be useful to future volumes, please send them to us for possible future publication, Full photo credits will be given upon publication,

Lower Camouflaged Belgian Striker with missile bins raised and FN MAG fitted . (Belgian Defence Ministry)

ISBN 962-361-044-0

Printed in Hong Kong All photographs by BOB MORRISON copyright MILITARY SCENE unless otherwise credited. Additional photography by Michael Jerchel and Yves Debay.

2

Introduction

Although not strictly part of the Scorpion CVR (T) family, the wider and longer Stormer family is briefly covered at the end of this book. The British Army deployed a small number of Stormers fitted with a GIAT scatterable mine system to Saudi Arabia during the 91 Gulf War. The Starstreak High Velocity Missile system on Stormer is now on order with the British Army for service into the twenty-first century. This title does not attempt to tell the life story of the Scorpion Family of light armoured vehicl es, it is merely a collection of photographs of variants currently or recently in service with the British and Belgian armed forces. As I write, the Scorpion is being withdrawn from front line British Army service , allegedly to comply with latest HSSAW Regulations. To replace them, turrets from redundant CVR(W) Fox armoured cars are being mated to their hulls to give a new vehicle to be known as the Sabre. As this vehicle will not be in widespread service for some time , I have omitted it. World-wide about 3,500 Scorpion family vehicles are used by around twenty nations. The marque has sold particularly well in the Pacific and Gulf theatres where climatic conditions can be particularly harsh . However, due to the difficulty in obtaining in­ service photographs from many overseas governments, as well as lack of space, I have unfortunately been unable to provide comprehensive coverage of their usage. A number of foreign vehicles have been supplied to Scorpion 2 standard and may use a Perkins diesel engine , have up-rated suspension and tracks or be armed with the Cockerill 90mm gun. The British Army is currently evaluating three diesel engines upgrade packages . As this series is aimed primarily at military vehicle modellers and enthusiasts , I have tried to provide photos of all sides of each vehicle wherever possible. I have also noted vehicle registrations in the captions where they are not readily identifiable to allow match photos of particular vehicles . For. more in-depth technical and historical information, I would recommend Tank Museum Curator Colonel George Forty's book SCORPION, published in 1983 by Ian Allan, ISBN 0 7110 1175. Refer to CONCORD titles Operation GRANBY and Operation DESERT SABRE for British CVR(T) photos from the 91 Gulf War.

The evolution of the Scorpion fam ily can be traced back to : 9 61, when the Royal Armoured Corps commenced a feasibility s udy into airportable replacements for the Saladin armoured ar and Saracen personnel carrier. By 1964 no suitable design : ad been found, but the proposed chassis of a tracked self ?ropelled 105mm howitzer for the Royal Artillery was identified cs a possible start point for a family of light armoured vehicles nder the Armoured Vehicle Reconnaissance (AVR) banner. -:-he self propelled howitzer concept fell by the wayside, but the ~-'\V R project evolved into the Royal Armoured Corps Combat .'ehicle Reconnaissance (CVR) programme. The AVR requirement called for seven specific vehicles to : Ifil roles undertaken by elements of the Royal Armoured Corps. The main four versions would undertake the usual Fire Support,. .' nti-tank, Anti-APC and Liaison recce duties, with secondary ·..ariants configured for Command, Ambulance and Personnel Carrier roles . At first a common 6-wheel design was considered , J t size and layout limitations resulted in two separate vehicles ::oeing developed, one with tracks and the other with four wheels . n e resultant vehicles were the Scorpion family FV100 series ::ac ked combat reconnaissance vehicle known as CVR(T) and :.. e Fox FV721 wheeled vehicle known as CVR(W) . Despite both ..chicles being totally different, they had maximum commonalty '31 p arts, including the legendary 195 hp Jaguar J60 engine used . ~ the classic British sports car of the day . The FV101 Scorpion , armed with a 76mm L23Al gun , was :.: e first variant to enter service in the UK early in 1973. Later :.~ a t year the first BAOR recce regiment took charge of their Scorpions. The FV1 07 Scimitar, armed with the 30mm RARDEN cannon, was next into service followed by the FVI03 Spartan ~rrn oured personnel carrier in 1976. From a distance, Scorpion ~ d Scimitar are visually identical, apart from their main ,: rrn ament, to all but the trained observer with most non-military :;;oersonnel and media frequently referring to both as Scorpion :.c k s. Although the Spartan is an armoured personnel carrier in ,= yery sense of the description, its small size precludes it from x ing used by conventional infantry squads. Instead , it is used by 5?ecialists such as survey teams, engineers , pioneers and air :cfen ce teams. It has the same low silhouette box body as the =V I 06 Samson recovery vehicle, but the latter has a smaller rear : :xJr and only one circular roof hatch. The FV102 Striker anti­ ''''nk vehicle is similar in profile to both Spartan and Samson for .::;::ttlefield survivability, when it's missile bins are lowered, From -: distance, Striker's main identifying feature is the Swingfire :,?erator 's sight on the roof alongside the commander's cupola. -;le Spartan can carry four passengers in addition to the normal :..- -ee man crew complement of the CVR(T) family. The field ambulance variant, FVI04 Samaritan, and the .o.:noured command post, FV105 Sultan, share the same high ::"Xly shape which allows personnel to stand erect inside. :>am aritan is c onfigured to take up to four stretchers or five ;0' .ung wounded in addition to its peacetime complement of two - -ew. In action, the crew would be increased to three with the -~ su ltant loss of one casualty seat. Sultan carries three ::,:ssengers and is fitted out with map boards, radios and all the ::~ r aphernalia required of a command post. When the prominent ~ .::d Cross markings on the roof and sides of the Samaritan are ~ vered, it is almost impossible to differentiate between the 'O..-:-])ulance and command variants . When stationary , Sultan is -' ally fitted with a penthouse to increase the work area :: aiJable.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my thanks to the officers and men of The Blues & Royals , The Queen's Dragoon Guards, 9th/12th Royal Lancers , 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers, 17th/21 st Lancers, The Royal Yeomanry, Depot Royal Armoured Corps, RAF Regiment, Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, Royal Electrical S Mechanical Engineers and the Jagers te Paard , who helped in the preparation of this title . Thanks also to Chris Foss for his help and to Michael Jerchel, Yves Debay, Robin Craig and Andy Burridge who generously provided additional photographs . Most of my photographs in this book were taken with a Canon T90 fitted with Vivitar 28-210 zoom or standard Canon FD50 lenses. For back up I use Canon EOS700 and EOS750 cameras with interchangeable 35-80mm and 75-300mm auto­ focus lenses. Transparency film used was either Jessops 100ASA or Fuji 400ASA for low light conditions . I always travel light and seldom tote a camera bag or case preferring instead to carrying my T90 with 28-210 round my neck for instant use. My other equipment, namely two cameras, three lenses, twenty rolls of film , mess tins , water bottle, ear defenders, waterproofs , etc . are stowed in the capacious pockets of a specially tailored ARKTIS Combat Vest when not in use. Bob Morrison, Devon

3

SCORPION

Scorpion 03FD67 of Recce Troop , 17/21st Lancers on Salisbury Plain, autumn 1992. This regiment was the first in BAOR to receive Scorpion nearly twenty years before. Generally this vehicle is pretty typical of the marque in British service just before it's withdrawal.

The rear turret stowage bin , which was originally rectangular in cross section, has been replaced by one which is five sided in section. A large rear hull stowage bin, with canvas top to accept bulky kits, has now been fitted to most British Scorpions as standard.

Once the Scorpion's floatation screens had been removed in the mid eighties, there was space to fit a side stowage bin on the right side of the hull as well. This Scorpion also has a large stowage box fitted to the right side of the turret.

4

A small amount of scrim has been :!raped over the front of the turret only, break up the Scorpion's frontal ')u tl ine. Large quantities of camouflage :ire only used on vehicles deployed on s:atic recce as nothing stands out more ' nan a bush traveling at 40mph! The ::::am nets rolled in a tarpaulin on the '-on t also serve to soften the vehicle's :Jrofile .

The left hull stowage bin was replaced by this larger one on most Scorpions once the floatation screens were discarded. A large right turret bin is also fitted to this vehicle. Note the driver's belt order slung behind the smoke dischargers - the other crew members normally hang theirs from the antennae mounts.

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Close-up of the driver's hatch and wide angle periscope for closed :.: ·.n driving - it should be noted that a pair of wipers can be fitted to keep --;: outer glass clean. A passive night driving scope can be substituted if -~ :~ i red. The main armament barrel clamp is also visible in this photo.

5

Scorpion 03FD49 of the Queen's Dragoon Guards, in Denmark for the ACTION EXPRESS 91 autumn deployment. Of particular note in this photo are the newer pattern large headlights mounted above the front hull lip in protective shields. An additional stowage bin, probably a cut down Chieftain· bin , is fitted forward of the more usual right hull bin. The bridge classification plate is white .

Until 1992, when the British Army "Options for Change" restructuring programme commenced, Britain provided a reconnaissance squadron to NATO's ACE Mobile Force (Land). The Queen's Dragoon Guards were the last British regiment to provide the AMF Force Reece Squadron. Unlike their BAOR equivalents which were wholly equipped with Scimitars, UK based Reece Troops had a mix of two Scorpions and two Scimitars.

03FD49 has yet another type of stowage bin , acquired from a Chieftain, fitted to the rear right of the turret where the cable reel is usually carried . The call sign on the rear turret bin is yellow and the night convoy patch is white - it is unusual to find a night convoy light fitted in this manner.

6

Scorpion 04FD47 of 17/21st Lancers on Exercise PANTHERS FIRE 92 near Imber Village. Although it has the shields normally associated with the 2 ;er headlights, only the old pattern smaller lights are fitted in the conventional position.

:>rior to 1993, the HQ Squadron of a typical Armoured Regiment had a Recce Troop of 8 Scorpions to probe ahead of the Chieftain or Challenger Armoured Squadrons.

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7

A Royal Hussa Scorpion, in unusu green and blae camouflage pallen photographed Fallingbostel. It has full length Chieftai stowage bin on the Ie hull and a large canvc tray at the front. Ear' pattern pinion and idlE wheels are fittec (Michael Jerchel)

This RH Scorpion has the early pattern square section rear turret bin with a pair of small Chieftain boxes either side. Another full length Chieftain bin is fitted to the left hull. Rear bin call sign is yellow and the number is repeated in black on the white night convoy patch. (Michael Jerchel)

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The Royal Ai Force Regiment als( fields a small numbe of Scorpions for airfiel( defence duties Photographed a Catterick early in 1992 this RAF Regimen Scorpion is also fitte( with a Chieftair stowage bin.

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Scorpion belonging to the Royal Armoured Corps Depot rolling off a Landing Craft Utility during a Royal Marine exercise. Capable of carrying Main Battle - ;c- ',S, the LCU can easily transport two Scorpions and a large number of supporting infantry.

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! ' ough the Royal Marines have never been granted funding for their own CVR(T) squadron, they regularly train with Army units as here. During _ : - n CORPORATE in the Falklands, a medium recce troop from the Blues and Royals, with Scorpion, Scimitar and Samson, was included in 3 - do Brigade's ORBAT.

-=- =l ing ground pressure less than -:i "- walking man, the Scorpion : . sr shingle which would stop - eeled vehicles and tracked - his RAC Depot Scorpion is -;J 42 Commando on exercise.

9

Weighing only 8 tonnes, Scorpion is light enough to be air dropped on a Medium Stressed Pallet. Two Scorpions can be inserted by parachute from a single RAF C-130 Hercules, but as aircraft availability seldom matches demand, it is more usual for the air drop to be simulated for routine battalion exercises. This Blues & Royals Scorpion has been rigged for an air drop at the Air Mounting Centre then trucked to the Drop Zone where its crew will shortly parachute in with the Lead Para Battalion Group of 5 Airborne Brigade. The CVR(T) family require relatively little preparation for air drops. The tubular framework is for parachute attachment - three main chutes and a steering cute are deployed in the drop.

10

The Scorpion can also be driven straight off a Hercules - i ng Tactical Air Land Operations (TALO) as demonstrated -s -e by the Blues & Royals during a 5 Airborne Brigade YARD Series exercise.

- fie CVR(T) family was designed to operate in temperatures as low as -30°C. This Hussars Scorpion is painted black & white for a northern flank _ __ment to Norway with AMF(L). The British AMF Contingent regularly deploys to Norway for arctic training. (Yves Oebay)

- -.other regular colour scheme for s is the green and sand age used on the resident ~ :; vehicles at BATUS in Suffield , - -3 . Taken in 1984, this photo "3 a fully closed down Scorpion ~ through a minefield breach. ~-2 9 n flag denotes that the vehicle . made safe_(Jerry Jensen via S aig)

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Belgium is the largest foreign user of the CVR(T) family. Their initial order was for a total of around 700 of all variants. Production took place at th Belgian British Leyland plant, and as part of the deal British vehicles used some Belgian manufactured components.

The Belgian Scorpions were also originally fitted with floatation screens, but they have been removed from this vehicle. To overcome the lack of stowage space, the Belgians often bolt empty ammo boxes to the rear turret bin. Bins and brackets cannot of course be readily welded to the aluminium armour of the CVR(T).

For ALLEY EXPRESS 92, the AMF(L) southern flank deployment Turkish Thrace, Belgium's 1st Regiment "Jagers te Paard" supplied II Force Recce Squadron. This Belgium Scorpion is draped in hessian soften its profile. Pinion and idler wheels are of the earlier pattern .

12

S CIMITAR

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gium also fields a large quantity of Scimitars in the recce role. The major distinguishing feature of Scimitar is the long thin 30mm RARDEN gun barrel.

,:, c: -Jagers te Paard" Scimitar on ALLEY EXPRESS 92.

Even in open country like this, the small silhouette and low profile of the Scimitar make it easy to conceal. Draped in scrim and parked between two stunted bushes, this stationary recce vehicle was quite difficult to spot from 3,000 metres.

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is fitted with floatation screens and has the pinion and idler wheels. Note the amount of . _ 'Ihich further breaks up the outline, piled on the ~- 9 vehicle due to the lack of additional stowage bins.

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Scimitar 06FD96 of the Queen on ACTIGr Dragoon Guards EXPRESS 91 peering out from the erM of a tree-line . Normally these prominer large headlights would be masked tl prevent detection, but as Danish trattil regulations require dipped beams whel moving, they had to be left exposed.

This shot clearly shows how a sparse adornment of scrime can break up the Scimitar's hard edges. As with Scorpion, most British Scimitars have been retrofitted with additional stowage bins.

Rear view of QDG Scimita 06FD96. Although most field repairs an carried out by a REME Light Ail Detachment at Squadron level, it i: common practice for one vehicle il each troop to carry spare pinion ani wheels to effect instant repairs.

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ODG Scimitar during ACTION EXPRESS 91, on the look-out for prowling enemy recce troops equipped with Mercedes G-wagens.

This Scimitar was tasked to patrol the main roads on the possible line of advance and therefore carries no additional camouflage scrime. Note the extra Chieftain stowage bin and box. Rear call sign is black on white.

switched off, the newer large pattern headlights -= ::. sore thumb. The bridge classification disc on s green with black stencilling . A small AMF(L) - =) to the passive night sight cover next to the main - S1

15

The commander of a Q[ Scimitar confers with an umpire duri ACTION EXPRESS 91. This phc clearly illustrates the low profile of t CVR(T) in comparison with a hard t Land Rover as here, or similar li~ ulility vehicle. The Land Rover actually longer than the Scimitar h too, and is only about 400mm narrow

Scimitars also deploy to Norway for Arctic training, where they are painted black & white. The vehicle behind the Scimitar is a Samson recovery varia (UKLF-MNT)

Scimitar live fire on a German range. The round can just seen hitting the target in the far distance, dead centre, jl below the tree line. The RARDEN 30mm canon is effective ( to 2,000 metres and will take out most APCs and light AFVs 1,000 metres. (Michael Jerchel)

16

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~ 12th Lancers Scimitar in Bosnia. As well as being kitted out with the now familiar Chieftain stowage bin and box, it also has a pair of ammo boxes - :he front hull lip. Old pattern small headlights are fitted in the standard position. (Andy Burridge)

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·smoval of the glacis plate and internal bulkhead gives superb access for field maintenance and repairs to the CVR(T) engine and drive train. In -- 2

REME technician is standing in the driver's position. ( Andy Burridge)

17

A number of Scimitars are permanently stationed at BATUS in Canada for use by troops on exercise from Germany. The are configured as standard with newer pattern left, rear and rig h~ turret bins, plus left and right stowage bins, but have none of the additional bins and boxes currently seen on European CVR(T)s. (Bruce Bowles via Robin Craig)

Standard colour scheme for BATUS is green and sand (similar to the Op GRANBY shade referred to as Desert Stone), with white markings on black rectangles. (Bruce Bowles via Robin Craig)

The upper number on this Scimitar is its radio call sign "two four alpha" and the lower is the BATUS inventory number. Although stencils appear to have been used originally, subsequent repainting has given a hand painted appearance. (Bruce Bowles via Robin Craig)

18

Another Belgian Scorpion , but this time draped in hessian only. The vehicle's white number plate and yellow bridge classification disc have been masked with parcel tape. A floatation screen is still fitted to this Scimitar. Belgian Scimitar camouflaged with hessian and scrime at speed. On _ . s like this Scimitar can easily travel at 30 to 40 mph.

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.' sed, but nonetheless interesting photo of a Belgian Scimitar undergoing routine maintenance . Of particular note is the complete lack of additional bins, the floatation screens in their stowed position and the early pattern pinion and idler wheels . The muzzle flash eliminator is standing on the -c :eck. (Belgian Defence Ministry)

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19

STRIKER

Striker is the original anti-tank variant of the CVR(T) family. In service since 1975, it is armed with the British Aerospace Swingfire missile which is capable of destroying most current Main Battle Tanks at ranges between 300 and 4,000 metres. (Michael Jerchel)

Photographed in Germany during WHITE RHINO 89, the British 1st Armoured Division autumn exercise, this Striker has its missile bins raised in the firing position. A BAOR Armoured Regiment usually has a Guided Weapons Troop of nine Strikers (or occasionally FV438 with Swingfire) as part of HQ Squadron. (Michael Jerchel)

Belgium also fields more than forty Strikers. This one, seen in Germany during CERTAIN STRIKE 87, is still fitted with a floatation screen. The three man Striker crew consists of commander, driver and missile operator. (Michael Jerchel)

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ueen's Dragoon Guards Striker of AMF Force Recce Squadron hiding '-:::- enemy view behind a small hill. Using a remote sight, the operator can -::: :::h the missiles from a concealed firing point as much as 100 metres =:.E , .

=or launching under armour protection, the missile operator has a roof _ -led sight in front of his hatch and alongside the commander's cupola. e frontal arc, only this small roof sight differentiates between Striker _ 2partan, when the bins are lowered. As personnel carriers are lower 'argets than anti-armour vehicles , this deliberate similarity =----,"s 'cally increases battlefield survivability time.

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---= 'our Guided Weapons (GW) Troops of an Armoured Recce Regiment, that is one troop per squadron , normally have four Strikers each . They are _~s itioned individually to give the maximum cover should the squadron's Scimitars and Scorpions be compromised and have to fight their retreat.

21

Close up of the empty missile bins in the raised position. In addition to five ready rounds carried in the launcher, five more are carried inside the vehicle.

The commander's cupola on the Striker is identical to that of the more numerous Spartan APC. The GPMG fitted here can be traversed , elevated and fired from inside the vehicle. The open hatch behind is the missile operator's.

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Rear view of Striker with bins lowered. From a distance it is very easy to confuse this variant with Spartan, especially when bins, boxes and baskets are added, as here .

22

·1CT SPARTAN

The MILAN Platoon of the Fire Support ::- Dany of a conventional Infantry Battalion Iy has 24 firing posts which are usually -=-3d in APCs such as Spartan, FV432 or -:: . However since 1986, a number of _ Compact Turrets have been available -Etfo-fitting to Spartan. It is intended that - -nfantry battalions should be able to field .'eT Spartans. (Michael Jerchel)

MILAN is a wire-guided, optically tracked. man-portable (.just) anti-armour weapon effective out to 2,000 metres and capable of penetrating at least 350mm of armour. Two missiles can be launched from the turret with the crew under armour, and firing posts are also carried for dismounted use. (Michael Jerchel)

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MCT belonging to the photographed at its base in :-:3 th at the commander's cupola =.::. .' - is retained. (Michael Jerchel) ~

23

SAMSON

Samson recovering a bogged-in vehicle on the Salisbury Plain driver training area. For heavier frontal recovery work, the cable from the on-board winch can be fed forward through the rollers at the front right of the roof.

The collapsed A-frame carried on the left side of all Samsons can be used as a tow bar or a crane jib. When used as a crane, in conjunction with the on­ board winch, it is bolted to the two prominent eye brackets on the upper rear hull.

The two V-shaped arms either side of the small rear door can be dropped to act as a ground anchor. The three pronged blade carried on the rear right side can be fitted between the arms to give a full width spade anchor for heavy recovery.

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Th is Samson (OOGM14) belongs to Squadron of the 17/21 st Lancers. In = ":~" O:l to its winch, three crew and a ange of REME tools are carried, _ makes Samson even more ~ ped than the rest of the family , =-.:B the proliferation of bins and -=iO­ ets on the roof. -

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The panel in the right side forward of the three-pronged ground anchor blade gives access to the NBC plant. Of note in this photograph is the bench vice, a standard fitment on Samson, mounted above the rear right mudguard.

:- 'Jse up of the engine deck of A second front roller has been added at the front Jeck and the hull lip is cut away :0 suit. This is not an uncommon "' :-=. ti on on British Samsons.

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A 5 Airborne Brigade Samson (OOGM14) transports gunners of 7 Para Regt RHA onto the Heavy Drop Zone where their guns have just arrived by parachute. Both driver and commander wear maroon para berets. Like Scorpion and Scimitar, Samson can also be airdropped or air-landed.

Even if the paras wanted to travel inside the Samson they couldn't, c' there is only space for two passenger seats inside .

Right side view of OOGM41 . The NBC hatch is covered by a mesh basket, often discarded, which was designed to hold spare road wheels. Note thl timber baulk, frequently painted the same colour as the hull, above the spade blade - there is usually also a similar one on the left side of these vehicles.

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::- ;:211 Samson, complete with wading screens , hitched to a broken down Scimitar. This photo was taken in Turkey during ALLEY EXPRESS 92.

3.elgian Samson is virtually identical to its British cousin . Note the pulley the centre of the roof, right at the back. The winch cable plays out ~C; - the roof, over the pulley wheel and then through a guide at the end -= sl1all jib frame.

A good comparison shot of Samson and Spartan. Samson has a smaller and lower commander's turret, located closer to the centerline of the vehicle and no secondary roof hatch, but apart from this and the difference in rear door size, both vehicle bodies are similar.

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Samson to the rescue of a broken down Scorpion in the Saudi desert during Operation GRANBY. As this photo was taken about a week before we. broke out, no allied chevrons are carried.

REME Spartan driver, a trained mechanic, prepares the Scorpion's pinion wheels to accept the A-frame tow bar. Drive must be disconnected prior t towing to avoid damage to the gearbox. Although the Spartan can carry driver, commander and mechanic, often only two men crew the vehicle.

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PARTAN

Spartan is the red Personnel - ':;- ~ r variant of the _ =- 1 ) family . It 3S a crew of three up to four x gers.

This Spartan belongs to the Driver Training Wing at the Royal Armoured Corps Centre, Bovington. The author was given his first official hand-on CVR(T) driving experience on this vehicle after instruction on the Centre's Driver Simulators.

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this angle, commander ' s = and crewman's -=- = clearly visible. =that the -= der's No . 62 - - , sight is

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aDO Spartan OOFF02 durin( ACTION EXPRESS 91. Each Mediun Recce Squadron has a troop of fou Spartans which are used in the surve~ and support roles .

Rear view of OOFF02. Note the acquired Scorpion tray bin over the door and the Chieftain stowage bin on the left side. The stencilled tac sign is yellow.

As Recce Squadron Spartan, seldom carry more than three crev, stowage is often carried over the mai rear compartment roof hatch. Thl vehicle is draped in hessian to soften it: prominent hard edges - there are fe\ straight lines in nature.

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-;:---er QDG Recce Spartan (01 FF30) draped in hessian and scrim. Large headlights, protected by shields, are fitted above the front hull lip.

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_ =. oroliferation of roof stowage. As

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The single right side periscope is just visible here aft of the exhaust pipe. The two black plastic jerrycans above it are for water, not fuel - modellers please note that carrying petrol on the roof of a combat vehicle would be tantamount to suicide.

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17/2 1st Lancers Spartan (48AT45) on Salisbury Plain during an exercise break. Note the large pattern headlights fitted belol' the front hull lip in the conventional position.

This Spartan, originally issued to the RAF Regiment as is evident by the AT registration , carries an additional Chieftain bin on the left side only. The rear door mesh basket, here containing cam nets, is a standard fitment but in this case it is fitted higher than usual.

Type 57 (Chieftain) Armoured Regiments usually have a single Spartan attached to RHQ as a personnel carrier to supplement the Sultans which have limited passenger capacity.

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Scorpion of the Queen's Dragoon Guards attached to ACE Mobile Force on a Northern Flank deployment to Denmark.

17/21st Lancers Scorpion playing Gold Forces on exercise PANTHERS FIRE 92.

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: Jyal Armoured Corps Depot Scorpion backing onto a tank landing craft at the end of a 1992 Royal Marines amphibious exercise.

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Dismounted Belgian "Jagers te Paard" Scimitar crew. They wear RECCE tapes over the left breast pocket and their names over the right. Command s­ and gunner carry pistol in belt holsters.

Scrim covered British Scimitar on static observation at the edge of " Danish wood.

Belgian Scorpion firing its main armament in Turkey during ALLEY EXPRESS 92, the AMF Southern Flank deployment.

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Sand and green camouflage Scimitars pe rmanently based at BATUS in Canada. This extensive live fire training area in Canada allows armoured regi­ -ents greater free play than the crowed European training grounds. (Robin Prugina via Robin Craig)

Heavily stowed Samson recovery vehicle of the 17/21 st Lancers : 3:IWeen exercise phases. It looks as if the fourth road wheel has been ~~ently replaced.

Belgian Samson with ground anchor arms and winch deployed for an equipment demonstration - the three pronged blade has not been fitted.

Swingfire missile being launched '- }m a British Striker on a German =l ge. Despite its age, Swingfire can o' I easily take out most current and all ~ : ';iet built main battle tanks. (Michael . o-chel)

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Sultan Command Post (nearest camera) deployed by the British on United Nations duties in Bosnia late in 1992. (Andy Burridge)

A Royal Yeomanry REME Spartan at the end of an autumn exerci se in Germany. Note the cold weather blinds fitted to the engine deck grilles to keep out the elements on the return voyage to the UK.

36

Royal Engineer Spartans parked up in a German farmyard during IRON HAMMER 88. Note the commander's GPMG, complete with blanks, on the vehi­ cl e at the left of the line .

A Driver Training Spartan at 30vington. The large two piece rear : ompartment roof hatch can easily be seen in this view.

RAC Spartan rolling off an HMS Intrepid LCU in support of 42 Commando .

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Spartans in United Nations markings about to escort a relief convoy in Bosnia, December 1992.

Heavily weathered Sultan on exercise in England, 1992. Note the typical amount of stowage on the roof caused by the lack of external bins.

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Belgian Samaritan in Turkey. Note the early pattern pinion & idler wheels and the track guards.

Royal Yeomanry Samaritan armoured ambulance at the end of CER­ TAIN SHIELD 91. The vehicle ahead and behind are CVR(W) Fox armoured cars.

Royal Yeomanry REME fitters carrying out a field gearbox repair on a Sultan Command Post.

39

Stormer APe demonstrator on Salisbury Plain. The vehicle behind is a Stormer VLSMS.

Stormer Vehicle Launched Scatterable Mine System, as deployed to Saudi Arabia, on display at EUROSATORY 92. To date I have been unable to ve.-­ ify that the markings carried are genuine.

40

Scorpion of the Queen's Dragoon Guards attached to ACE Mobile Force on a Northern Flank deployment to Denmark.

7/21 st Lancers Scorpion playing Gold Forces - _" on exercise PANTHERS FIRE 92.

tank landing craft at the end of a 1992 Royal Marines amphibious exercise.

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Royal Artillery Air Defence Spartan on exercise near Imber Fibua Village. As Spartan can only carry a half section it is used primarily by specialists from arious Corps, this one transports a Javelin Team, rather than as an infantry personnel carrier.

:: en after only a couple of days on exercise vehicles which

_=spent much of their time off-road lose all their colour. This - (OOFF77) carries high visibility orange and yellow ' : panels on the rear bins plus the yellow call sign 20 on side under all this mud.

Thus motley crew of Air Defence gunners were acting out the part of enemy forces during a Brigade level exercise on Salisbury Plain. Their Spartan has that casual lived-in look of the modern professional that would have driven sergeant majors to distraction only a generation ago.

41

REME Light Aid Detachment Spartan with the Royal Yeomanry at the end of CERTAIN SHIELD 91 Queen's Own Yeomanry, are Territorial Army Recce Regiment tasked with reinforcing BAOR.

As befits a REME vehicle, this Spartan is well equipped with additionE.. stowage bins and baskets for tools and spares, but as these vehicles ha\£ to be loaded to a precise plan nothing projects outside the shippi ll~ envelope.

The orange beacons fitted to the rear of the additional bins can be severed down shipping. Note the rear door vision block and fore extinguisher below. The yellow squares painted on the side of Royal Yeomanry vehicles for this exercise denoted enemy Gold Forces - friendlies are always blue.

The RAF Regiment Light Armour Squadrons also use Spartan. This one belonged to 51 Squadron based at Catterick in 1992. It is believed that the RAF Regiment will shortly loose their CVR(T) vehicles and will be re­ equipped with Land Rovers.

Scrim covered RAF Regiment Spartan during an exercise lull. The commander's GPMG mounted alongside his cupola is clearly visible in this shot. The Light Armour Squadrons are tasked with the defence of RAF airfields and are totally self sufficient.

A heavily camouflaged RAF -: "giment Spartan at the end of a -=.·ning exercise. Note how the "";nouflage scrim is left clear of rear "': n partment vision blocks and the _ mander's rotating cupola.

43

Belgium also uses the Spartan in large numbers - one source quotes 266. This pair were deployed to Turkey as part of the AMF Force Recce Squadrc for ALLEY EXPRESS 92.

Belgian Spartan at speed. It is fitted with the shG • front side skirts originally also seen on British CVR and has early pattern pinion wheel and idler. Note al s: the third antenna and the stowage boxes lashed to tm roof.

Interior of a Belgian Spartan, looking forward - British interiors are little different. As is only too obvious, space is at a premium if the vehicle is fully crewed with seven men. Three troop passengers sit on the bench seat, back to back with the crewman who sits alongside the commander.

44

At first glance this appears to be a Belgian Samson due to the A-frame on the hull side, but closer inspection shows it to be a Spartan. It is used as a bile workshop. Late pattern pinion and idler wheels are fitted.

From this angle the vehicle is clearly a Spartan . As with most Belgian :'lR(T)s, the floatation screen is still fitted. The British Army removed their - : -eens in the early eighties.

These roof stowage bins, strapped to frames over the main roof hatches, appear to be quite common on "Jagers te Paard" Spartans. A heavy duty beam across the door allows standard NATO towing jaws to be fitted to take the A-frame tow bar. The regimental insignia consists of a yellow lion's head on a red shield.

45

SOLTAN

Sultan Command Post (01GE54) of the 17/21st Lancers, at its home base on the edge of Salisbury Plain, between exercise phases. It is rigged 'I. the full complement of fixed and telescopic radio antennae. As with other variants, the ubiquitous Chieftain bin has been pressed into service to provi additional stowage.

Left and rear view of 01 GE54. A demountable telescopic mast is clamped to the side and a gigantic stowage box sits on the roof. The spall liner on the rear door is a very light green shade sometimes referred to as Sea Foam - lightened RAF Cockpit Green makes a good model match.

This Sultan has a tailor made bin for personnel kit at the front of the glacis plate, but the one behind sports a couple of small Chieftain bins instead. Note the bipod on the demountable GPMG next to the commander's cupola.

46

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Royal Hussars Sultan photographed at its base in ",ermany. There are usually three Sultans in the RHQ of both .=,rmoured and Armoured Recce Regiments. The small znangular section open bin at the top of the glacis plate is a 3iandard fitment. (Michael Jerchel)

The tubes along the roof edges are eaves ties for the standard penthouse carried on all Sultans. It can be erected or dismantled by two men in a couple of minutes. (Michael Jerchel)

Sultan OOGE12 with penthouse erected for demonstration purposes only. Normally Command Post Sultans would be photographed in the late eighties, -as early pattern idler & pinion. (Michael Jerchel)

47

Sultan of 19 Brigade HQ & Si ~ photographed on exercise on Salisbur . Plain during the autumn of 1992. Ths frontal profile has been softened wi" tufts of grass.

Right side of the 19 Brigade Sultan. It has been crudely marked with tape to signify that it is temporarily assigned to Orange Forces. After a couple of days in the field, the two-tone camouflage scheme is virtually invisible under a coating of mud and dust as is the registration plate (09KB08).

Another view of Sultan 92KB08. ­ penthouse canvas is loosely rolled ­ the rear roof. Note the situation maj: the vertical board along the right si _ the hull interior.

48

Sultan 92KB08, with foliage and removed and now part of Blue =-: -re , stands by to rejoin the battle. --:2

A few miles further on, the crew of 92KB08 are told that their vehicle is going to be airlifted to the next location by RAF Chinook within the next thirty minutes. They immediately remove all externally stowed loose kit and store it securely inside the vehicle.

In a clearing next to the designated " ick Up Point two airmen from the .:>upport Helicopter Force, wearing white umpire's armbands, help the crew --9 their Sultan for airlift. It takes them :n ly a few minutes.

49

Sultan interior showing the map board, fold-up work tat = and flip down message board. The radios are fitted forward ~ this board over the right track and manned by a front faci Radio Operator.

Interior of well worn and lived-in Sultan. Two, or at a push three, crewmen sit facing the map board on the bench seat. The Commander's seat, to the left of the Radio Operator, is in the fully raised position and a blackout curtain separates the Driver's compartment.

This shot clearly illustrates the easy accessibilty of the Sultan's engine, when the deck plates and bulkhead are removed. The black console agai- s­ the left driving compartment wall is the main instrument panel.

50

A 17/21 st Lancers Sultan prior to departure from base for the second ohase of an exercise . Close inspection shows that all lights have masking covers. A GPMG for self defence is fitted and uncovered.

Royal Yeomanry Sultan (02GE40) in a German vehicle park prior to return to the UK at the end of CERTAIN SHIELD 91. This Regiment fits larger than lormal triangular front bins with lids to many of its Sultans and Samaritans.

Another view of the Royal Yeomanry Sultan in Germany with yellow 3xercise markings . The extra box carried on the front track guard is more cs ually found on the side of Samaritan roof bins.

51

SAMARITAN

This Samaritan (OOGH69) armoured ambulance could be mistaken for a Sultan as the Red Cross covers are unfurled. Additional stowage space is provided by the ammo boxes on the front track guard and the larger than normal glacis plate bin.

The large L shaped box on the Samaritan's rear door is the air-conditioning and NBC pack. This Roya Yeomanry ambulance does not carry the usual large roof bin, which makes it appear even more like a Sultan when the Red Cross markings are covered .

This Royal Yeomanry Samaritan is being prepared for shipping back to the UK. External stowage such as tow rope , slave lead, tools and jerrycans are laid out alongside on a tarpaulin for inspection.

52

Royal Yeomanry Samaritan in the field undergoing routine maintenance. Note that both blue and orange beacons are fitted to this particular vehicle.

On this vehicle a Red Cross, with improved cover, has been painted on the lower hull and the registration has to be painted on the additional Chieftain bin as a result. The rolled-up black hessian over the tracks can be unfurled to break up the hard lower edge of the hull when static.

This lived-in Samaritan is configured for three sitting and two stretcher casualties. The attendant has a fold down seat on the rear door for use when all four stretcher racks are in use.

53

Belgium also uses the Sama . ~ ~­ This one (65648) is fitted with fl o aic. ~ :­ screens in common with most Belf =--­ CVR(T)s.

The standard irregular shaped roof bin and door mounted NBC pack are prominent on this uncluttered Belgian Samaritan photographed in Turkey during the combat phase of ALLEY EXPRESS 92.

Another shot of the samE Samaritan , but this time the Red Cross markings are covered as the formatio­ is under nets. On safety grounds durinf exercises when unit ambulances are 0 ­ call , they tend not to be as we camouflaged or emplaced as othE ' vehicles in the unit.

54

Interior of an almost pristine 3Blgian Samaritan at the start of a J9ployment. The left stretcher racks are , Ided up to give seating for three ,' alking wounded. Note the stowed s:retcher and the commander's seat in . e low position .

Belgian Samaritan rigged for three stretcher casualties. The commander's seat is raised to allow him to use his roofsight.

Samaritan 65648 on call and rigged for three stretcher operation, with its rear door open. The attendant's seat is in the stowed position.

55

STORMER

A company demonstrator Stormer APe photographed during 1992. The vehicle, which has a sixth wheel station, is just large enough to take an eight man infantry section. This frontal shot clearly shows the vehicle's CVR(T) origins , but it differs both in width and detail.

As we have seen , one of the biggest drawbacks of the Scorpion family was the lack of stowage space . On Stormer attempts have been made to alleviate this from the outset b fitting bins to both sides. Interestingly, no periscopes or vi sio blocks are fitted.

The integral penthouse frame probably means this Stormer is a command post variant. Of particular interest in this view is the routing of the exhaust pipe which drops through the side bins to upper track level, thus reducing considerably the vehicle's thermal signature.

56

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Pre-production Stormer with Starstreak launcher on display at a British Equipment Exhibition. About 150 of these variants have been ordered by the British Army. The production vehicle, known as Stormer HVM, should be very similar in configuration to this one.

Close up of the HVM operator's sight and missile launcher. The Shorts Starstreak has a range of 300 to 7,000 metres and a speed of around Mach 4. It complements Rapier and is designed primarily to take out any close support aircraft and helicopters which get through the outer defences.

Stormer HVM has a three man crew and carries a total of twenty rounds including those on the launcher. It is believed that the Royal Artillery will eventually have six peacetime batteries equipped with this system.

57

This Stormer mounts the French Minotaur vehicle launched scallerable mine system. A small quantity of these vehicles were hurriedly produced for Operation GRANBY and became the first Stormers to enter British military service.

Although the combination is known as the VLSMS , the Stormer is actually a High Mobility Load Carrier (HMLC) variant. It is similar in concept to the Streaker variant of the Scorpion fami ly which the British Army never procured.

Although configured primarily for two man operation, the Stormer HMLC has seating for a third crew member in the armoured cab. Unlike the Scorpion family , Stormer is powered by a 6 cylinder Perkins diesel engine.

58

Minotaur armed Stormer VLSMS on display at EUROSATORY 92. Although this GAIN system was supplied for the Gulf War, it is by no means certain that this will be the version which finally enters series production for the British Army.

VLSMS launchers in the travelling position - during operation they are angled outwards to give particular spread patterns. Although the EUROSATORY vehicle carried Gulf Wa:t markings, they could well be artistic as the system was never deployed in anger as the allied advance was overwhelming.

Commander's cupola looking forwards . The driver sits in front of the commander with the engine to his right.

59

DETAILS

Scimitar crewman in Bosnia collecting 30mm ammo clips. When shot at for the third time in a row while escorting relief convoys in Bosnia early in January 1993, three Scimitars of the 9/ 12th Lancers rapidly returned 17 rounds of 30mm and 125 machine gun rounds to suppress incoming fire. It worked! (Andy Burradge)

Interior right side stowage of an Air Defence Spartan seen from the commander ' s hatch . Two Javelin rounds, three SA 80 personal weapon s and three shoulder launcher stowage boxes are visible in this shot.

Air Defence Spartan with three rounds stowed. Even from this angle, the lack of space in the vehicle is very apparent.

60

Late pattern spoked pinion wheel.

Early pattern dished rear idler wheel.

Late pattern perforated rear idler wheel.

Early pattern plain pinion wheel.

61

FOREIGN SERVICE

New Zealand has 26 Scorpions in service. This one is painted sand with brown and cream camouflage. (NZ MoD)

Spain 's Tercio de Armada (Marines) operate 17 diesel powered Scorpions for amphibious operations. They are painted in a dark green shade and all markings other than national colours are black. (Yves Debay)

As is evident from this shot, the Spanish Scorpion gunner's roof sight is similar to the commander's and a larger night sight is fitted. Note also the raised engine grille filters. (Yves Debay)

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FAMILY Bob MORi

PUBLICATIONS COMPANY