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(Login jasmils) Missing-Lynx members 121.222.187.143
AFV Club "MRV"
July 27 2012, 10:47 PM
Yes Rob it was post Vietnam.
1979-1996
Originally called the FSV (Fire Support Vehicle) then a name change and roll change in the mid 80's to MRV (Medium Reconnaissance Vehicle).
The best reference in paper form for both the Saladin version and Scorpion version is Military Briefs Number 1 Australian Fire Support Vehicles from www.mheaust.com.au
(Login Albowie) Missing-Lynx members 123.243.206.243
Service Entry
July 28 2012, 2:26 AM
The "Beasts" started to enter service in early 81 after a period of trials. We still had a mix of Saladin and Scorpion Beasts in mid 82 at 2 Cav and the Scorpions were in pretty new condition then. They really started to look old by 86 when I got posted back. They were used by the Armies Medium Recon Unit - 2 Cavalry Regt (in Sydney and Darwin); the HQ Sqn of 1 Armd Regt; School of Armour and by the ARES - 8/13 Victorian Mounted Rifles, 10 Light Horse, 1/15th Royal NSW Lancers and 12/16 Hunter River Lancers.
The Kit markings are spurious and none were ever issued to 5/7 BN Royal Australian Regt (Mech Infantry). The 3 Colour scheme was introduced in their last three years of service and for most of their life they were in Lustreless OD only (with local mud cams etc when on Exercise) excepting the Cam trials of the early 80's. Markings tended to be a White (79-85) triangle on the sides (Recce) with callsigns to the left and right of the Triangle. The Vehicle Callsigns varied over the period of service depending on where the vehicles were in the Tp. A Recce Tp consisted of 2 MRV and 2 X LRV (M113 with T50 Turret 50/30 cal)
The Opfor Vehicles were School of Armour vehicles.
I for one was not sorry to see these leave service, they were a pig to work on being a hybrid of US and British Electrical and Radio Systems. The II sights were very good and we upgraded ours (2 CAV )using later Gen tubes in the late 80's
(Login rgronovius) Missing-Lynx members 174.50.209.92
I can see why they were called 'Beasts'
July 30 2012, 12:41 PM
The US M901 ITVs were dogs because of the heavy turret, and that turret was designed to fire from a stationary position. I can only imagine trying to handle the 113 with a turret designed to make the vehicle into a quasi light tank.
(Login Albowie) Missing-Lynx members 165.228.229.68
Top Heavy
July 30 2012, 11:22 PM
Like the Saladin FSV before it the MRV was top heavy and one had to be very careful traversing slopes. I have been involved in a few recoveries of "Fallovers". They were a pretty sweet swimmer though despite all the extra weight. 2 CAV (and I believe ARES) vehicles operated without Flotation panels for a period of time in 90 or so due to a critical shortage of spares. The best thing about beasts was that it came with the famed British FV Immersion Heater. A few of these found their way into other members of the 113 family, particularly those of the RAEME persausion.
Al
This book is still available and has walkarounds and in service pictures of both vehicles. Limited copies remain available and this book will not be reprinted.
![[linked image]](http://i364.photobucket.com/albums/oo81/Shirocco2/Tanks/Photo0598.jpg)
