Introduction
The following introduction is taken from the Pen and Sword website:
The British Scorpion and Scimitar are among the most successful armoured reconnaissance vehicles ever built and, almost fifty years after the initial design was introduced, updated versions are still in service today. These compact, manoeuvrable and fast-moving light tanks played a significant peace-keeping role in conflict zones around the world and went into action during wars in the Falklands, the Gulf and Iraq. They are also a popular subject with tank modellers and enthusiasts which is why David Grummitt’s expert history and guide is such a valuable source of reference.
As well as describing in detail their technical development and operational history, he gives a full account of the wide range of modelling kits and accessories available in all the popular scales. Included is a modelling gallery which features six builds covering a range of Scorpions and Scimitars serving with different nations and a section of large-scale colour profiles which provide both information and inspiration for modellers and military enthusiasts alike.
Review
This offering from Pen and Sword is number 33 in their tank craft series. The author of this release is David Grummitt, who has authored three other titles in this series and two titles in the Land Craft series. This is a soft backed book, printed in a portrait style. The pages are of a semi- gloss paper and a gloss card cover. The contents of this offering is as follows:
Armoured Reconnaissance
The Development of the CVR (T)
The CVR (T) Family
FV101 Scorpion and FV107 Scimitar
FV107 Scimitar CVR (T) in Detail
Camouflage and Markings
Model Showcase
Modelling Products
Modelling the CVR (T)
Scimitar 2
Sabre
CVR (T) in Foreign Service
CVR (T) in Action
CVR (T) Today
Further Reading
This book covers a vehicle type that at one time was numerous in the British army, as it had spawned a full family of vehicle. Everything from fighting to retrieving the injured and treating them, this vehicles frame offered it all. The written portion of this book does a reasonable job of providing the reader with an insight into the birth, progression and potentially final development of the CVR (T) family. You are given a look at the vehicles use, in the various fields of conflict in which it has served. Unfortunately, this information has been split in half by a modelling section placed in the middle of the title and this continues to be one of the few complaints I have levelled at a number of the titles in this series. The vehicle shown in detail is a useful if small area of the title for the modeller looking to check placement of detail, or even looking a doing some scratch work.
The artist drawings presented in this title, are all shown from the side but a nice touch is that photographs of the real vehicles are shown in some cases. On the subject of models specifically, we get to see the AFV Club offerings in various forms and being upgraded with aftermarket options to provide accurate representations of the CVR (T) family through its life in service. The modelling products shown, do fortunately cover the first of the Gecko Model offerings of the Scimitar and having spoken to owner of Scorpion Miniature Models, who has confirmed to me that the Gecko Models kit cannot be bettered at this time. Aftermarket providers covering both improvements and conversions are covered in the title, with SMM featuring heavily in this title.
Conclusion
AFV Club had pretty much cornered the market with 1/35th scale models of the CVR (T) family, with Gecko Models now putting a dent in that market. The release of this title comes at a great time, with those who have an interest in modelling a member of the CVR (T) family. With this being an affordable release, for the modeller to garner information and pick up tips and tricks, that will enable the potential for a superb model. I do not like that the text is split by the modelling section, but such is… and this is the only complaint I can really level at this publication.
