Scimitar (FV 107)

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The FV 107 Scimitar in Steel Beasts Professional

Scimitar (FV 107): Armoured Reconnaissance Vehicle


Statistics

Main Gun: 30mm L21 RARDEN auto-cannon
Ammunition Stowage: 3 ready/162 stowed
Default Ammunition 'A': 3/80 L14A3 APDS-T , 0/82 L13A2 HE-T


Coaxial machine gun: 7.62 mm L43A1 machine gun
Ammunition Stowage: 200 ready/2800 stowed
Default Ammunition: 200/2800 7.62mm NATO


Grenade Dischargers: Grenades
Ammunition Stowage: 8 ready/8 stowed*
Default Ammunition: 8/8 Smoke

  • The Smoke grenade count represents single rounds fired as salvos using the left/right dischargers.


Armour protection:
Frontal Turret Armour: Light, Aluminum. Protected against 7.62mm AP
Frontal Hull Armour: Light, Aluminum. Protected against 14.5mm AP


Combat Weight: 7.8 tonnes
Length: 4.79m (Hull)
Width: 2.24m
Height: 2.1m
Engine Power: 190hp Cummins BTA 5.9 litre diesel
Top Speed: 80kph

General

A member of the Combat Vehicle, Reconnaissance (Tracked) [CVR-T] family, the FV 107 Scimitar is a light armoured reconnaissance vehicle developed by Alvis Limited in the late 1960's as a companion for the FV 101 Scorpion. Entering UK service in 1972, with the exception of its weapons fit, the Scimitar is nearly identical in features and performance to its Scorpion brother.

Armed with a 30mm L21 RARDEN auto-cannon, a 7.62mm coaxial L43A1 machine gun, and two sets of four smoke grenade launchers on either side of the turret, the main gun is fed by three-round “clips”, replaced as needed by the vehicle commander. Ready magazine capacity is normally six rounds, but due to limitations within the Steel Beasts engine, this is reduced to three rounds, but with faster than usual reload times. As with the Scorpion, traverse and elevation for the 30mm is manual, but since the Scimitar is a reconnaissance vehicle that relies on speed as its main asset, this is not seen as a detriment.

Externally, the modeled version is a circa 2000 modification made to Formation Recce Scimitars that replaced the original Jaguar 4.2 liter petrol engine with the Cummins BTA 5.9 liter, and fitted the turret with E-SPIRE ( Enhanced Sight Periscope Infra-Red Equipment), plus an LRF. Internally, the crew positions model the base version equipped with: a 1x image intensification sight for the driver, a L2A1 1.6x-5.8x ballistic image intensifier and AV No. 52 10x day sight for the gunner, and a AV No. 75 10x day sight for the commander. As with all British combat vehicles, the Scorpion is equipped to operate in an NBC environment for extended periods.

The Scimitar, along with the 76mm L23A1 armed FV 101 Scorpion and Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled) Fox vehicles, formed the primary reconnaissance assets for UK mechanized and armoured formations throughout the 1970's and 80's. Although operating in reduced numbers, modernized versions of Scimitar continue to soldier on as the UK's principle reconnaissance vehicle.

Thermal Signature

FV 107 Scimitar TIS image, front-right FV 107 Scimitar TIS image, rear-left

Crew Positions

Tank Commander's Position F7

TC's unbuttoned view

In Steel Beasts the tank commander's (TC) position on the Scimitar is crew-able, but only partially modeled. The TC's position is accessed by pressing F7.

From this position the user can raise and lower their perspective (and exposure level) by holding the Q key (to go up) and the Z key (to go down). The TC can also button or unbutton (close and open the TC's hatch) by pressing the B key (toggle). While unbuttoned, the TC may also wish to use binoculars to get a closer view on a distant area by pressing the N key (toggle).

Gunner's Primary Sight Extension (GPSE)

Unlike other western AFVs, the Scimitar has no GPSE per se, but instead equips the commander with a separate AV No. 75 10x day sight. Accessed via the gun sight view key (F2), this offers the same ballistic reticule as the gunner's sight during the day, and provides a fixed 10x image intensifier for low-light operations. Note that the Scimitar commander lacks any method to move the gun or override the gunner.

TC's vision block view

TC's vision block view

On some occasions the TC may need to look around the vehicle without having to spin the turret and without having to expose himself to hostile fire. The vision block view allows the TC to remain safely inside the vehicle and quickly scan around for close threats, and is most useful when enemy infantry are in the immediate area. The Scimitar commander has seven vision blocks, which may be accessed by pressing F4.

Once in the vision block view, the mouse or joystick can be used to quickly and seamlessly pan the TC's view from vision block to vision block, allowing him to scan around the vehicle. While the vision block view completely protects the TC from hostile fire, it does have an extremely limited field of view and offers no magnification.

Key listing for the Scimitar's TC's position


General Commands:

TAB: Pop smoke. Instructs the gunner to launch smoke grenades to deploy a smoke screen in the direction that the turret is facing. Useful for breaking up enemy LRF or completely obscuring your vehicle against a non thermal sight equipped threat.

Q: Raise position in hatch. Moves the TC's view and exposure level up in the hatch.

Z: Lower position in hatch. Moves the TC's view and exposure level down in the hatch.

B: Button and unbutton the hatch (toggle). This is used to close and open the hatch.

SHIFT + SPACE: Order the gunner to “Fire and Adjust”.

LEFT ARROW / RIGHT ARROW: Face left / face right. When in the TC's eye view F1, pressing these keys will cause the TC to face to the left or right of the main gun (turret).

UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW: When in the TC's eye view F1, pressing these keys will cause the TC to face in the direction of or to the rear of the gun (turret).


Driver related commands:

SHIFT + BACKSPACE: Shut down / start up engine (toggle). Orders the driver to shut off or start up the engine. If the TC is a platoon leader then it orders the platoon to execute a "short count" and simultaneously shut down or start up their engines.

W: Driver, move out. Instructs the driver to move forward (press again for increased speed.

S: Driver, stop. Instructs the driver to stop.

X: Driver, backup. Instructs the driver to reverse.

A: Driver, go left. Instructs the driver to go left (hold the key).

D: Driver, go right. Instructs the driver to go right (hold the key).


Gunner related commands:

SPACE BAR: Fire. Orders the gunner to fire at a target he is looking at.

H: Hold fire. Orders the gunner to hold fire. If the TC is a platoon leader then it will also order the platoon to hold fire.

F: Fire at will. Orders the gunner to fire at will. If the TC is a platoon leader then it will also order the platoon to fire at will.

E: Engage. Orders the gunner to engage, and instructs the driver to take up a battle position. If the TC is a platoon leader then it orders the platoon to engage and take up a battle position in the direction of the user's view.

M: Coax / Main gun (toggle). Orders the gunner to toggle between the main gun and coax to engage targets.

SHIFT + LEFT ARROW: Gunner, scan left. Orders the gunner to put move the turret approximately 45 degrees to the left and scan for targets.

SHIFT + RIGHT ARROW: Gunner, scan right. Orders the gunner to put move the turret approximately 45 degrees to the right and scan for targets.

SHIFT + UP ARROW: Gunner, scan front. Orders the gunner to put the gun over the front and scan for targets.

INSERT: Fire, fire (ammo type 1, usually sabot/KE). Switches the next three round clip loaded by the commander to this ammo type.

DELETE: Fire, fire (ammo type 2, usually HE). Switches the next three round clip loaded by the commander to this ammo type.

SHIFT + PAGE DOWN: Reload all. Orders the tank crew to reload all weapons systems.

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Gunner's Position F6

Gunner's unbuttoned view

In Steel Beasts the gunner's position on the Scimitar fully crew-able but only partially modeled. The gunner's position is accessed by pressing F6.

From this position the user can raise and lower their perspective (and exposure level) by holding the Q key (to go up) and the Z key (to go down). The gunner can also button or unbutton (close and open his hatch) by pressing the B key (toggle).

Gunner's Primary Sight (GPS)

The gunner's primary sight (GPS) is the primary sight the gunner utilizes to engage and destroy targets. The GPS view is accessed by pressing F2.

GPS sight view

On the Scimitar this is the AV No. 52 day sight with a fixed 10x magnification; it cannot be zoomed in or out.

Sight Symbology

In the GPS sight you will see a set of lines, numbers, and symbols: these are referred to as the gun sight symbology.

GPS sight, main gun aiming reticle

The GPS main gun aiming reticle is used for aiming at the target and is fairly simple to understand. At the top is a left to right descending stadia scale which is used to bracket a target and determine its range. The numbers at the top of this scale represent the range to the target in hundreds of meters. Below the horizontal stadia scale are a series of fine dots, horizontal lines, small paired carets, and numbered range scales. The range scales are labeled from left to right MG, AP, HE, and MG and correspond to specific aiming points. The outer MG scales match the paired carets, while the short left-hand AP scale matches the small central aiming dots, and the middle double dashed scale is for HE. Additionally, a circular boresight point is provided above the sight gradations.

IR Sight

As currently modeled, the Scorpion lacks a thermal sight, but does have a separate IR sight. The L2A1 ballistic image intensifier is of very high quality, with 1.6x and 5.8x magnified views which allows for accurate target identification out to 800m, and engagement ranges beyond 1000m under most low-light conditions.

As seen above, the IR sight uses a somewhat different reticle compared to the day sight, and lacks any aids for ranging targets. The IR sight replaces the day sight during hours of darkness, and is accessed by pressing F2.

Turret Controls

As noted under the description above, elevation and traverse controls for the Scimitar are manual. The default movement keys are UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW for elevation and depression respectively, and LEFT ARROW / RIGHT ARROW for left and right traverse. Tapping these keys replicate using the manual hand cranks, and tapping the keys quicker results in faster movement. As with the actual vehicle, the traverse crank has two gear ranges: high for bold turret movements, and a low range for tracking and fine turret movements. The O key toggles between these ranges.

Engaging Targets

Engaging targets with the GPS is not an exact science. It can require several rounds, a good deal of estimation, and "Kentucky windage" before you hit a moving the target, but stationary targets should be relatively easy to hit if the process is done correctly. The basic process to engage a target is to estimate the range to the target, select the proper ammunition scale, engage the target, make adjustments, and reengage if necessary.

Choking the Target (Ranging)

The first thing you must do is "choke" the target. Choking the target is the term used to estimate range to a target by using the stadia scale at the top of the sight. As mentioned, the numbers on the scale represent hundreds of meters. When estimating range to a target, the target is put in between the long horizontal line and the stepped lines above it (the lines just below the numbers). In the case of a fully exposed target, the bottom line is placed on the bottom of the vehicle (where the tracks touch the ground) and the horizontal dash is placed at the top of the vehicle's turret. In the case where only the turret of a target is visible, some degree of estimation will be required.

BMP choked to 1200m

In the above image, a fully exposed BMP is choked so the target is placed within the scale at the increment in which it most fully fills the top and bottom of the scale; in this case the scale marked "12" so the target is approximately 1200m away. It is important to remember that the stadia scale is used to determine average enemy APC/IFV sized targets. For larger or smaller vehicles (such as tanks or trucks) a little bit of guess work may be necessary.

Selecting the Proper Reticle

After you have the correct range, the next thing you need to do is select the proper reticle of the round which is currently loaded, as noted under Sight Symbology above.

Firing

Once the range is estimated to the target, elevate the sight so that the appropriate range numbers to the left or right of the proper vertical scales are even with the target in the sight. Next, if the target is stationary, align the target with the center of the proper sighting point.

1200m AP reticle on BMP

Continuing with the example, the target's range was estimated at 1200m and the target is stationary. The sight is elevated so that the target is even with the horizontal line between the "10" and "14" on the left side AP scale, and the target is centered in the sight along the center AP aiming dots. Once this is done, you are now ready to engage the target. Note that when fired, the gun will jump slightly upward and to the right. Continued firing will shift the gun further in this direction, therefore the sight must be realigned after every one or two shots.

Lead
GPS view, some lead applied on a moving target

The most important thing to realize is that the FCS on the Scimitar does NOT induce lead. Lead is the term used to refer to putting a gun in front of a target which is moving perpendicular to your vantage point. When you lead a target, you essentially need to fire in front of target at the point in which the round and target will meet. Since the Scimitar's FCS does not calculate lead, then the gunner must estimate and apply lead himself, and he does this with the use of the small horizontal line and caret markers to the left and right of the central aiming points, and with a bit of skill.

Reengage

In the event that you miss the target, you should relay on the original aiming point, then simply adjust the sight in relation to where the round hit and walk it into the target. You should not waste valuable time estimating the range to the target again unless the target is rapidly moving towards or away from you.

Gunner's Auxiliary Sight (GAS)

Unlike most western "tanks", the Scimitar does NOT have a true auxiliary sight, the backup daylight gun sight being the commander's AV No. 75.

Gunner's Vision Blocks

The gunner has two vision blocks which can be used as a way to look around the vehicle (specifically to either side of the main sight unit). The vision blocks are located to the front left and right of where the gunner is sitting and may be accessed by left clicking the mouse on them in the interior view or pressing F4 and using the joystick or mouse to move from block to block.

Gunner's left vision block view

Key listing for the Scimitar gunner's position


Weapon system commands:

SPACE BAR: Fire selected weapon. Fires either the main gun or coax (selection dependent, see below).

M: Switches between gun and coax (Toggle).

LEFT ARROW / RIGHT ARROW: Manual traverse. Tap to traverse the turret using the manual hand crank. Tap the keys quicker to traverse the turret faster.

UP ARROW / DOWN ARROW: Manual elevation. Tap to elevate the main gun using the manual hand crank. Tap the keys quicker to elevate the main gun faster.


Tank commander related commands:

T: Identified! Tells the TC that you have located a target and that you are going to engage it. Essentially it tells the AI TC to leave you alone while you engage and forbids the AI from guiding you to another target. Use at your own risk.

I: I can't see it! Tells the TC that you cannot see a target or the one he is commanding you to engage. Essentially it tells the AI TC to guide you on to a target that it wants you to engage.


Driver's generic buttoned view (standard view used by most vehicles)

Driver related commands:

W: Driver, move out. Instructs the driver to move forward (press again for increased speed.

S: Driver, stop. Instructs the driver to stop.

X: Driver, backup. Instructs the driver to reverse.

Driver's Position F9

In Steel Beasts the driver's position on the Scimitar is fully crew-able but partially modeled. Currently there is no 3D view for the driver but there is a driver position view which has an image of the driver's hatch. The driver's position is accessed by pressing F9.

Once in the driver's position, you can drive the tank by using the joystick. You can also unbutton the driver and raise his view by holding Q and you can lower the driver and make him button up by holding Z.

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