The CVR-T’s (Combat Vehicle, Reconnaissance - Tracked) are a series of light tanks built by Alvis from 1974 until a takeover by BAE Systems in 2004. The CVR-T family is made up of seven different variants all based on the same hull and running gear. These variants are:

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• FV101 - Scorpion - Named because of a rear mounted turret, suggesting a ‘sting in the tail’. (80mm main gun). Withdrawn from active service in 2004.

• FV102- Striker - Anti-tank guided missile carrier (2x5 SwingFire missiles). Withdrawn from service 2000.

• FV103- Spartan - Personnel carrier (general purpose machine gun). Active as of April 2016

• FV104- Samaritan - Armoured field ambulance (Unarmed). Activity Unknown.

• FV105- Sultan - Mobile command vehicle (general purpose machine gun). Active with Belgium and UK as of 2015.

• FV106- Samson - Armoured recovery vehicle (Unarmed). Active service in multiple countries as of 2015

• FV107- Scimitar - Identical to the FV101 Scorpion but armed with a 30mm cannon in place of the main gun. MKII in service with British Armed Forces as of April 2016.

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I was tasked with conceptualising a redesign of the track system that has been in place on the CVR-T tanks since their first active service in the 1982 Falklands conflict. This design had to take into account the wear dynamics of the tracks and the feasibility of implementing a replacement.

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My redesign consisted of replacing the hexagonal rubber bushes with round nylon parts that could be replaced whenever needed.  In contrast, the original design called for the replacement of an entire link if even one bush was considered over-worn.

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This design has never been physically tested, thereby making all results and any improvements theoretical. At this time, there are no plans to make this design commercially available.

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With thanks to The Tank Museum at Bovington for making their incomparable record collection available for research.

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A full copy of my design and wear report is available upon request.