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Armor/AFV: British Armor
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Early Scorpion FV101 CVR(T)..
Keef1648
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South Carolina, United States
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 12:44 AM UTC
I have been working on and off on a model of a Scorpion FV101 CVR(T).
The donar kit is of course the AFV club model and it is has been changed (corrected) with the help of Terry Beal's (Castoff) conversion kit and a very old Jaguar models bits and pieces.

My intent is to model a vehicle as used/crewed by myself during the middle to late 1970's during deployment in Norway as part of the now defunct AMF(L) forces, exercise Hardfall.

The early Scorpions were accompanied by the newly issued Scimitars, FV107, two of each per troop.

Festooned with more tents, skis, snowshoes and clothing than would normally be carried the vehicles were laden and filled with items in every conceivable nook and cranny. The Scorpion did not come with the rear hull bin that was attached to the NBC pack of the Scimitar and a quick fix was manufactured in the REME shop in Barracks. This was lined by the crews using old Ponchos to keep things dry.

Here is the first step.




Starting to add on board tools and stowage and I made the recoil cover from epoxy putty..


You can clearly see the exhaust extension and spare antenna tube supplied in Castoff's Resin conversion.


The Scorpion was issued with a 'round' NBC air intake tube and later modified to the rectangular fiberglass version at a later date. I am also starting to build the REME basket.


Right side and gunners hatch in place.. We tried to keep him buttoned up as much as possible to keep the BV boiling and hot beverages and scoff (food) coming!


More in a few minutes.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 12:57 AM UTC
It is my intention to place it in a heavy snow area in nothern Norway so a small base with a few trees is all that is needed.


The three small shelves seen on the side bin held the support poles for the wading/swimming screen but we never carried them as swimming the vehicle was rejected by the MoD and the screens removed shortly after. Funnily enough we never had a Jerrican holder either but we obtained them from the TQM's store quite quickly. The Jerricans were stowed inside to prevent them from freezing. Fuel for the Naptha stove and a small oil can were normally carried in the holder.


Slow progress, more items added and holes filled..




Base coated and a possible headless commander.




More later.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:07 AM UTC
Here we are with our early track link set to match the early sprocket and idler wheel you have to use from the kit. The rubber tracks included are the later style.
If they are accurate, 76 and 77 links per side will be required.


Here is one of our over stuffed Scorpions in Norway, 1977.


First coat of White paint applied.




Starting to come together now but a lot of painting to be done yet.




 Keith.
Sandbox
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:11 AM UTC
Very nice. In your experience, did either vehicle get any sort of anti-skid coating?
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:16 AM UTC
Antennas and some detail painting accomplished.






Small amounts of weathering starting to show.




48 links done and my finger tips hurt !




New head and gloved hands added to my commander.


Test fitting the driver, I will most likely add a face cover and goggles later.


That's all for now, more later.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:19 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Very nice. In your experience, did either vehicle get any sort of anti-skid coating?


Jeff, a small area was present just in front of the drivers hatch at this time but that was it.

Keith.
jon_a_its
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:38 AM UTC
Nice work

How did you do the Birch trees?
dvarettoni
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 02:40 AM UTC
Keith looking good nice to see that you got soon work done since the last meeting btw I just updated my t90 build
dave
SdAufKla
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 02:51 AM UTC
Glad to that you've started a build blog for this particular model. I've been enjoying watching it come together, and I'm sure guys here will appreciate it too.

I'll be looking forward to your next update!

Happy modeling!
IrishGreek
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 02:54 AM UTC
She's a beaut so far! Nice work.

I was wondering about your trees too. They look fantastic.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 03:16 AM UTC

Quoted Text

She's a beaut so far! Nice work.

I was wondering about your trees too. They look fantastic.


The two large trees came from a Christmas store at Myrtle Beach and the smaller ones from an after Christmas close out sale at Lowes, part of their Christmas village items...

Bachmann (railroad) scene scapes also has the smaller snow covered trees and of course a dusting of snow will be added to the taller ones.

The small snow covered tree, front right, will be removed/moved as it blocks to much of the vehicle and replaced with a metal power tower (part of anyway)...

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 12:04 PM UTC
Evening all and so to continue.

I have made some stowage by rolling a piece of tissue within some kitchen foil, painted it and placed it inside the basket, I then added some straps made out of sticky tape and used some left over small resin buckles from the stash box. The C/S board, number plate, division and regimental ID. Along with the obligitory Union Jack of course.


The camo net is a fine Brass one from Accurate Armour, primed and painted White. It comes in two pieces and the second part will be folded and stowed at a later point. The net is quite flexible. I did try to use the new AFV Club version but that ended in a complete disaster...

Also in the picture is a test attempt at a snowshoe, it will have to be redone as it is not long enough and I am not happy with the result


The AA net is quite flexible and the final shape will take place after some more stowage is in place on and around the turret.






I am away in North Carolina for a long weekend starting tomorrow (Friday am) so it will be a week or so before I can get back to work on this wee beastie.

Thanks for looking in.

Keith.
Keef1648
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 12:55 PM UTC
Here are a few pictures of one of our exercises 'Atlas Express' in Northern Norway 1977.
On the ranges near Hjerkinn.


The commander here is a friend of mine, Ex Corporal of Horse Jim Craig at the replen point.
You can see the ski sticks tied to the side of the hull.


Note the issued civilian snow shovel strapped down where the military one should normally be, it is most likely tucked under the straps of the rear basket. Note the 'Kinetic' tow rope laying inside the wading screen.


Some crew members preferred the soft hat with ear flaps, others, such as the driver, has his hood pulled up and over his Bone dome helmet.. Most purchased a good pair of ski goggles from a local store.

Here we are dockside being loaded aboard the Landing Ship Logistic Sir Tristram (or Percival?) at the end of a wonderful exercise.


Keith.
DaGreatQueeg
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:05 PM UTC
Great project, I love BOAR era Brit armour ....

cheers
Brent
didgeboy
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Posted: Thursday, January 23, 2014 - 01:33 PM UTC
I hear that Norway is like Hoth cold. . .
ptruhe
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Posted: Friday, January 24, 2014 - 10:20 AM UTC
Fantastic. The camo net drapes well and the snowshoe is a nice touch.

Ever seen a snowplow mounted like the one on this Scimitar?
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.html#a=search&s=scimitar&chk=6cfe0&sel=3000&guid=d5a7aa846ded55ddd0bb713144b6f2b200803582
Keef1648
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Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 01:01 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Fantastic. The camo net drapes well and the snowshoe is a nice touch.

Ever seen a snowplow mounted like the one on this Scimitar?
http://www.defenseimagery.mil/imagery.html#a=search&s=scimitar&chk=6cfe0&sel=3000&guid=d5a7aa846ded55ddd0bb713144b6f2b200803582


That was most likely a trial blade and attachment. I don't believe it was ever issued on a permenant basis. When leaving the roads and heading out accross the wide open areas it would have been an impediment to the vehicles performance. It would have to have been removed first..

Keith.
tankglasgow
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Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 02:13 AM UTC
Interesting work and looking cold, lovely wee tank the scorpion remember getting inside one at a Royal highland Show at Ingliston near Edinburgh on a school trip, for others the highlight was sneaky pints from the beer tent I remember the tank best.
ptruhe
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Posted: Sunday, January 26, 2014 - 03:15 AM UTC
"That was most likely a trial blade and attachment. I don't believe it was ever issued on a permenant basis. When leaving the roads and heading out across the wide open areas it would have been an impediment to the vehicles performance. It would have to have been removed first.."

Ah. Don't see any mechanism for raising or lowering it.

Those CVRs do look nice in that winter camo scheme.
Keef1648
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 01:00 AM UTC
Quite a lot has happened since my last update so here is the status as of yesterday evening.

Fur trim added to the parka hoods, mic's, map and radio switchplates.




Stowage, Kinetic ropes, civilan snow shovel, map, skis and snowshoes in place.






Still needs a second set of snowshoes and a pair of Bino's for the commander.



Next weekend I will try to finish the eraly Scorpion Fruil tracks and make a start on finishing the base.

Keith.
maximus8425
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 01:30 AM UTC
Ah the old bonedomes, god my ears used to hurt wearing those. Was soooo glad when crewguard helmets were issued.

Max
MLD
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 01:57 AM UTC
What did you use for your kinetic rope?
I am doing a Desert Storm vers and can't find a woven rope material that replicates the kinetic ropes well.

Mike
dvarettoni
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 01:57 AM UTC
keith looking good looks like you shold have this one done for AMPS next mouth can't wait to see this next week had a fun time with mike last week nead to check out the jig that we made look over at T-62bdd see you next week
dave
maximus8425
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 02:50 AM UTC

Quoted Text

What did you use for your kinetic rope?
I am doing a Desert Storm vers and can't find a woven rope material that replicates the kinetic ropes well.

Mike


Accurate Armour have a KE tow rope set on their web page.

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=4&subcategory=105&product=1022
Keef1648
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Posted: Monday, March 03, 2014 - 03:32 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

What did you use for your kinetic rope?
I am doing a Desert Storm vers and can't find a woven rope material that replicates the kinetic ropes well.

Mike


Accurate Armour have a KE tow rope set on their web page.

http://www.accurate-armour.com/ShowProduct.cfm?manufacturer=0&category=4&subcategory=105&product=1022


That is where I got mine. Point to note, they first were issued in very bright White.. Then Green and a darker Tan color. All three can still be found today.

You have to cut them to the length you need, 8ft stowed on the vehicle and 30ft for recovery vehicles. Then fold the end and bind it. Hard to match the woven 'IN' ends..

Keith.
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