Canadian CVRT Scorpion purchase

[Robin Craig]

The picture of the CVR(W) Fox (top picture) is interesting as the CFR plate is a regular sequence and not a copy of the Brit MOD plate as with the Scorpion in the earlier picture.

The significance to me indicates it was a production Fox and not a prototype which is what that Scorpion was. Of note, if you enlarge the image is the cage and ball on the end of the exhaust for swiming purposes as the vehicle has its full swim screen fitted.

[Dan Martel]

In the 1970 issue of The Strathconian is an article on the Scorpion and Fox trials. I've transcribed it below.

"Scorpion and Fox Trials

Scorpion! Great Britain's bid to fulfill the Free World's requirement for a scout backup: a Direct Fire Support Vehicle (DFSV). During the period August 1970 - April 1971 Strathcona's played an active role in the Canadian Land Forces search for a DSFV. Firstly, we pioneered the "Sarcee-Glenmore": a mocked-up M113A1 training expedient, to allow us to maintain the state of our tracked reconnaissance expertise during this "lack of DSFV" phase.

Secondly, we committed ourselves heavily to the Canadian Forces Headquarter's interest in the British Scorpion programme. Captain R.H. (Bob) Caldwell left for England and the RAC Centre at Bovington in late August heading his own Canadian Trials Detachment - at last he had attained Nirvana - independent command (albeit of four men) out of the country!

During the autumn period, which found Caldwell commanding a troop of Scorpions in Southern England, the Regiment was preparing to assist the British Army with their cold weather trials, nicknamed Exercise Prairie Snow, to be conducted at good ol' (you guessed it) Wainwrong early January until end March.

Captain Caldwell and his merry men brought the Prairie Snow vehicles; two Scorpions and two Foxes, back from England at Christmas, thus allowing the Regiment to take a further look at the new hardware: through the human media of WO Blanch, Sgt Welsh, Cpl McDonnell, Cpl Burtch, Cpl Parker, Cpl Gray, Cpl Munn and Cpl Dawley. As we go to press, Capt Caldwell's trials detachment has returned from Britain pending further British trials activities. Prairie Snow appears to have been a profound success, and no doubt exists in anyone's mind that the Strathcona's have done their share of supporting the Forces quest for a Direct Fire Support Vehicle."

The British War Office numbers for the two Fox from the photos accompanying the article are 00SP79 and 00SP50. Neither are seen with CAR licence plates. Only photos of one of the two Scorpions are shown: 01SP03 with a CAR plate, like the photograph in the second post.

The issue includes a line diagram of the Regiment's new 1970 light armour organization.

Cheers,
Dan.

[maple_leaf_eh]

I've snatched a number of V100 and V150 shots from the interwebs, FB and Steel Soldiers. No commentary on the trials, but I've named each image with the year purported to be its trial year. Give Cadillac Gage credit for persistance from 1966 to 1976.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by maple_leaf_eh

Give Cadillac Gage credit for persistance from 1966 to 1976.

Since the new TAPV is a descendant of the commando, then I would say their persistence paid off. It only took 50 years, give or take.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Someone should run CFRs 20405 and 20329 thru the EDR to see what comes up.

[Robin Craig]

And how about 20403 as well seeing as how Im being corrected on the MOD numbers as being prototypes, funny that

[rob love]

Anyone want to bet that 20404 will be one as well?