The Fastest and Most Effective Tank the West has Ever Created



Amidst the tense atmosphere of the Cold War, a sleek and agile tank emerged as a symbol of innovation and prowess at a time when nations raced to develop cutting-edge military technology: the FV101 Scorpion.

As it roared to life, the Scorpion’s lightweight aluminum armor, swift maneuverability, and potent firepower made it a formidable presence on the battlefield. From the icy terrain of Norway to the scorching deserts of the Middle East, this remarkable tank proved its worth time and time again.

The Scorpion was no ordinary tank; it was designed for reconnaissance, demanding unparalleled speed and stealth to navigate treacherous landscapes and gather vital intelligence. Its low ground pressure and nimble design allowed it to traverse even the most difficult terrain, outpacing and outsmarting enemy forces.

Throughout its history, the Scorpion has seen action across the globe, from the Falklands War to the Gulf War, leaving an indelible mark.

But amidst all its battles and triumphs, one particular upgrade would propel it to legendary status and etch its name in the record books…

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38 thoughts on “The Fastest and Most Effective Tank the West has Ever Created”

  1. So, you’ve done the usual random pictures and video of completely unrelated stuff and then ignored the variants actively being requested by Ukraine to use against the Russians. Also can’t tell the difference between Spartan, Samaritan, Scimitar and Scorpion. Just a bit of detailed research for something that’s not from the US for once would be nice.

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  2. Saw a TV documentary tsnks in WW2.
    Normally, it takes ten years for Manufacturers plan, design, test and finally produce a new line of cars.
    It took ten months to do the same for creating and testing a new tank.
    In WW2, the six years involved the most technological changes in tank technology, design and production of new lines of tank.
    In WW2, the Germans take the prize of producing the best lines of tanks.
    In WW2, the Allies took the prize in making the most number of tanks.
    In North Africa, the British has so lost faith in their own tanks, they only took US made Sherman’s and Lee Grant tanks into the Invasions of Italy and Sicily

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  3. We still operate that in my country as i also experience to climb into 1 although it is completely sealed from Biological or Chemical Attack it does not have Air Conditioning inside to cool of the crew and when that Vehicle busk under the heat of the Sun inside is pretty much an OVEN.

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  4. My brother in law was a gunner in a scorpion in the 7th lancer regiment during the 1980's. Stationed in Hanover west Germany, myself and my parents went over to visit my sister in 1981 when I was a ten year old boy and my brother in law arranged for me to take a ride around the base in his scorpion. It was quite simply the best thing I'd experienced up to date as I was obsessed with the military as a young lad. Something I'll remember all my life.

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  5. I have to say, taking one of these into battle would be nerve-wracking. Yeah yeah, it is a recon tank; but war has a 50/50 split for tankers: 50% of the time you are moving and firing on stationary targets, evading the enemy, and generally just sticking around longenough to poke the bear. The other 50% of the time the bear sees you first, and he is more than happy to wait for you to lead him back to your base with the other light tanks, because he knows he can take a whole lotta underpowered fire from you while he just needs to hit you once. I'd at least have put some steel armor on the front so there was a "safe" side to have facing the perimeter.

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  6. And of course the CVRT is a whoel series of vehicles. Just imagine – you can fit two of these into a C130.

    The concept of a light tank about the size of an M113 is so appealing I have thought it was peculiar that no other nation developed anything quite like it. Perhaps the Soviet era BMD series comes closest?

    Of course it isn't very well armored compared to an MBT or even a modern IFV, but that isn't to say a light tank doesn't have many uses.

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  7. A modern version of this tank might be good for expeditionary forces. I am sure that the U.S. would put so many add-ons that it would cost more than an Abrams and be too heavy.

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  8. What a load of drivel have a look at where the fuel tank of the CVRT is -under the turret -and like aircraft fuel cells is rubber, so effectively fuel -in early models gasoline in the fighting compartment with HE HESH ammunition and propellant along side the turret crew and the other CVRT types aren't any better. A test was carried out a the DERA establishment at Shourburyness when a redundant Scorpion was subjected to HEI hit it effectively melted, leaving some of the DERA personnel who were former users of the type lost for words as it melted like an airfix kit left on their moms stove.

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  9. You can see vehicles from this family at the tank museum in Oshawa , Canada. Every year they have the crew members that served on them in Desert Storm come and they put on a show simulating battle conditions. You can talk to the men between shows and get up close to the vehicles. Just a great experience!

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  10. The video images jump about between the Scorpion (76mm gun) and Scimitar (30mm RARDEN cannon). The Scorpion was retired by the British Army because the gun (similar to that on the older Saracen) had no fume extractor and developed excessive fumes in the turret.

    The mid life upgrade to a diesel engine was common amongst all in-service CVR(T) and not just a one-off.

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