CVR(T) 23A Scorpion

Country: British

Entered Service: 1973

Crew: 3 – Commander,Gunner,Driver

Weight: 7.67 tons

Dimensions: Length – 4.39m

Armament: Main – 76mm/2.99in or 90mm/3.54in gun

Armour: Maximum – Unspecified thickness, aluminium

Powerplant: Jaguar 4.2 Petrol/190hp

Performance: Speed – Approx – 50mph.

It’s History…

The FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked), CVR(T), family of seven armoured vehicles. The first production vehicles were completed in 1972 and the first British regiment to be equipped with the Scorpion was the Blues and Royals of the Household Cavalry in 1973.

Scorpion reconnaissance vehicle, call sign 23 Alpha, (23A) with its 76mm L23A1 gun, was one of the four to be sent to the Falklands along with four Scimitars with their 30mm L21A1 Rarden autocannons and the Samson. Originally powered by a Jaguar petrol engine and somewhat underpowered, the Scorpions and Scimitars proved popular and most importantly, reliable. Its top speed is 45mph, and its fastest ever recorded speed was 51.10 mph!

Scorpion 23 Alpha, which carried the regimental flag of the Blues and Royals, was one of the first vehicles to reach Stanley after the battle of Wireless Ridge, just before the Argentinian surrender. Before that, it saw action supporting troops at Fitzroy where the Welsh Guards had suffered so many casualties and again at Bluff Cove when the enemy had superior firepower. Scorpions provided flanking cover, protection and firepower at Mount Harriet, Two Sisters and Tumbledown.