Model Description
35GM0053 Gecko Models 1/35th scale Plastic Kit British Army Scimitar Mk2 CVR(T), Operation Cabrit, Estonia. Buy now at Flying Tigers.
The FV107 Scimitar is an armoured tracked military reconnaissance vehicle (sometimes classed as a light tank) used by the British Army. It was manufactured by Alvis in Coventry. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion, but mounts a high-velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps armoured regiments in the reconnaissance role. Each regiment originally had a close reconnaissance squadron of five troops, each containing eight FV107 Scimitars. Each Main Battle Tank Regiment also employed eight Scimitars in the close reconnaissance role.
Scimitar Mk II
Following a risk mitigation programme, in December 2010 a contract was awarded for the development, testing and management of an upgraded Scimitar.[5] This was undertaken by the Vehicles Military & Technical Services team, BAE Systems Telford, which co-ordinated the build of 50 vehicles at the nearby DSG (Defence Support Group), Donnington, to be completed in early 2012. The Scimitar Mark 2 combat vehicle is one of five enhanced CVR(T) types.[6] It was created in early 2010, and continues in service.[7]
The Scimitar Mk II was:
Rehulled to give better mine-blast protection for troops
Improved armour fitted to enhance resistance to blasts and ballistic threats
Provide mine-protected (suspended and piston-mounted) seating in every crew position
Improve available space and improve crew conditions
Mitigate repairs while reducing maintenance and life-cycle costs, and extend in-service life.
The resulting vehicles have since been re-engined with a Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel engine and David Brown TN15E+ automatic gearbox.[8] In addition to providing power for an air conditioning system, the new more fuel-efficient engine extends the vehicle’s operational range, while the re-designed internal layout allows better-protected fuel tanks to be repositioned for reduced vulnerability to blast and ballistic threats.
The new engine and transmission package promised straightforward servicing and support for the Mk II during its in-service life, refurbished dampers simultaneously improving crew comfort – and hence reducing fatigue – while extending the life of vehicle components and maintaining the tactical mobility of the original vehicle despite an increase to an operation weight of c12,000 kg.
BAE Systems have proposed improved road wheels, new conventional metal tracks with guaranteed mileage (which could reduce the vehicle’s running costs) and continuous ‘rubber’ band tracks, which significantly decrease both vibration and noise, allowing crew to operate more effectively and for longer, even in the harshest environments, while reducing the vehicle’s acoustic signature.
RRP £50.00
