This is a conversion set using the AFV Club Scimitar as a base.
Scimitars served alongside Scorpions (CK3547) during Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 to 28 February1991) in response to Iraq’s invasion and annexation of Kuwait. The British Army was one of 35 coalition nations under US leadership.
Over the years, much of the Scorpion’s and Scimitar’s stowage arrangements had become standardised, though there were still differences. Most turrets had ‘RAF Regiment’ turret bins on both turret sides and the rear (modification instruction No.341 for Turret External Stowage, February 1989). The rear turret bin was the wider and angled type for carrying the OTIS thermal sight. On the right side of the rear bin (sometimes on both sides) was a Chieftain grease gun bin. An OTIS ring mount was standard on top of the commander’s periscope. Extra smoke grenade boxes appeared at various locations around the turret.
The large turret bins helped a lot when going to war, but more stowage space was still needed. The 1st Queen’s Dragoon Guards modified the left side driver’s tool bin making it larger to fit down to the trackguard. It had deeper sides with the top made larger to fit. It was also lengthened at the rear, almost up to the NBC intake. Others had the normal bin (as per AFV Club). In front of this was a half-length Chieftain tool bin under the driver’s hatch, bolted onto the sponson. Welding was impossible due to the aluminium construction of the vehicle.
The hull front had a half-length Chieftain bin, made shallower by cutting it just below the centre pressed rib, with a new bottom welded in place so it sat in line with the top of the hull front. Mostly, these were upright. But some can be seen laying on their backs (see below). 7.62 mm ammo boxes were bolted either side of the Chieftain bin. The right side of hull had a full-length Chieftain tool bin bolted onto the sponson under the exhaust. In front of this was a small wire cage for grease and oils, etc.
On the hull rear, the boot bin was made deeper down to the trackguard. This only seemed to have been done on Scimitars, not Scorpions. Jerrycans were very important, particularly water. Two were bolted to the ends of the boot bin, some vertical, some angled, in a variety of different frame styles. A third was bolted vertically to the end of the longer driver’s bin. A shovel was usually carried on the boot bin.
Some Scimitars had the hinged transmission cover as depicted in the AFV Club kit. However, some would also have had the bolted cover (SMM3511).
On top of turret just behind the two hatches, a LAW 90 was carried, sometimes wrapped in NBC material.
The original Armstrong suspension system* (SMM3509) was only just starting to be replaced at this time. (*Not included in the AFV Club kit.) Idlers and sprockets had certainly been updated.
Clansman was the standard radio fit (SMM3527).
Of course there were variations depending on the whims of the crews or the units fitting the additional stowage. Refer to your own reference if you want to build a particular vehicle. We have tried to cover most of the bases to give you a representative model.