Norfolk Tank Museum acquired the CVRT Scorpion in 2006.

Manufactured by Alvis the Scorpion C.V.R.T (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked) was the lead vehicle of the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance group. Introduced into the British Army in 1973 it served until 1994 during which time over 3000 were produced , the vehicle was fitted with a nuclear, biological, chemical protection system and image intensification sights for gunner and driver

ARMAMENT

The CVRT Scorpion is fitted with an Ordnance Q.F (quick fire) 76mm A.C.L.5A1 gun firing HESH (high -Explosive squash head), HE (high-Explosive), SMOKE (for self-protection giving an instant smoke screen) and Canister (firing steel pellets against ground troops). The gunner also has the use of a coaxial 7.62mm GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun) for use against infantry and soft skin targets. You will notice smoke discharges on both sides of the turret, which would provide a readily available smoke screen, which can be used to permit the vehicle to be manoeuvred under cover. The smoke discharges are designed to fire No. 80 grenade using fuse, electric No. F103 Mk 2 and 3 as a propellant.

ROLE

The Scorpion was designed as a highly manoeuvrable Reconnaissance vehicle to search out the enemy and radio back their position.

ENGINE

The original Jaguar J60 4.2 litre in-line 6 cylinder petrol engine coupled to a TN15X cross drive hot shift 7 speed gearbox was replaced in later models with a Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel engine developing 190 hp and David Brown TN15 transmission, giving the vehicle a top speed in excess of up to 50 mph.

Suspension

Torsion Bar Type suspension

The suspension is of the torsion type and consists of five pairs of road wheels each side with the drive sprocket at the front and idler at the rear.