CK3504 CVR(T) Scimitar Backdate set

We need your opinions:-) Before we go into production, how many people will actually be interested in buying this set?

With the successful introduction of the HKCW CK3503 CVR(T) Scorpion and Scimitar Backdate set, we found that the conversion was more specific to the Scorpion than the Scimitar. The most obvious change, of course, is the 76mm gun barrel of the Scorpion instead of the Scimitar’s 30mm Rarden gun. Therefore, it has been decided that it would be more correct to rename the first conversion as CK3503 CVR(T) Scorpion Backdate and to introduce a new CK3504 CVR(T) Scimitar Backdate.

The changes will be as follows:
The lower hull/suspension are basically identical with the exception that the plain dished sprocket will no longer be included for the reason that although it has additional inner rubber tyres, these were hardly noticeable and, more importantly, the sprocket teeth were not strong enough in resin and were damaged easily. A new resin BCF fire extinguisher will replace the more modern extinguisher (D8) on the hull.

The most noticeable changes are on the turret, the most obvious one being the replacement of the 30mm Rarden gun (with a canvas cover) in place of the 76 mm barrel. There is no photographic evidence showing Scimitars with 3-barrel smoke dischargers, so the 4-barrel smoke discharger included in the kit will be used. The first-aid kit was no longer carried outside, so this will be deleted from this set as well.

So what is new with this conversion set? Sprue E from the AFV Club Scorpion kit (AF35S02) will be provided to give the modeller the narrower and longer LHS hull bin, the rectangular rear turret bin, the commander’s sight without the OTIS mount on top, plus an extra resin B1 box as another one could be found on the left face of the turret.

One last word of advice. As usual, always check your references for any particular vehicle in the particular era that you are basing your model upon. Even the same vehicle might have undergone many changes in its service life!

Happy modelling.

Michael.

I have the kit in my hands and one other item I noticed very quickly was the lack of detail on two thirds of the waterproof wading/swimming screen. Only the front one third has a light metal cover in order to stop damage to the screen from the short barrel 76mm gun when firing.

Better and more defined rubber straps with metal hooks to hold the screen in place when lowered would be nice.

The Scimitar gunner's sight hood on top of the turret is different than the Scorpion one.

When my regiment took over the initial issue of Scorpions from the Blues and Royals we immediately removed the Fiberglass sprocket covers, the same was done a few months later when the first Scimitars arrived. They were far to easily damaged by debris being thrown out by the drive sprockets when moving over heavy ground plus a real pain in the rear when working on the sprockets and front suspension.

The simple but effective front mudflaps were initially made by the REME L.A.D. and vehicle crews. The fiberglass ones were backloaded when the screens were removed and the need to 'swim' was removed by the MoD.

Rear hull bins came with the Scimitar and were eyed by Scorpion crews as a luxury. Some were obtained and added when the NBC air intake was changed from round to a rectangle (Scimitar style). Before then they were wire baskets made by the REME section in barracks.

Keith.

I'd like to say I'd buy it but I've got a Jaguar early conversion, a Castoff early hull and even some crappy AEF early conversion bits plus Airwave flotation screen and sprocket covers.

But since most of those are out of production I think it's great. Let me know if you do a BGTI Scimitar upgrade.

Paul

The Backdate Set represents the initial production version of Scorpion which had full metal covers over the whole wading screen. We are working on a partially-covered wading screen for a futute set for Scorpion/Scimitar.

Michael.

The initial issue of Scorpions sent to Hong Kong were not only missing the night sights, as were ours in Windsor but no metal covering at all for the wading screen, just a heavier canvas over it.
See the link.

http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/CVRT-Scorpion-on-a-Clas-60-MGB-in-Hong-Kong1.jpg

I believe the full cover was only found on the test vehicles utilizing the SP registration letters. I didn't see one on our regimental level vehicles, just the front section.

FVRDE personnel came to visit us in Combermere barracks to talk about the screens and the potential for damage by not only firing the 76mm but also moving through heavy undergrowth and tearing of the screen.
Subsequently they were removed but almost immediately the screen supports were taken from the vehicle CES kits to ensure unauthorized 'swimming' was not attempted..

Thank you for the clarification of your 'backdate set'.. so many options for different points in time make this ever more interesting.

Keith.

Makes you wonder why the Spanish put a counterweight on the mantlet for the Scorpions with the night light.