Army tries track swap

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 439, 9 June 1992, Page 7

Army tries track swap

BYJO HOWIE The Waiouru School of Armour and Queen Alexandra Squadron are presently conducting a trial using a Mil3 track from an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) on a Scorpion tank. The aim of the trial is to evaluate the off-road performance and user suitability of the M113 track fitted to Scorpion with a view to converti ing all Scorpions to M113 track should it

prove to be viable. The Scorpion fitted with the M113 track will be trialled over all types of terrain including sealed roads, rocky ground, sand, snow, swamp and steep slopes. Personnel from the School of Armour will complete a driving and maintenance assessment. Money would be saved because Scorpion components are purchased in England and are expensive. The M113 family is

American and the Army can buy components through Foreign Military Saies at a third of the price. Another area of financial gain is with the rubber pads and bushes. These can be replaced a number of times, ensuring a near-new track at minimal cost. The pads are also thicker and sit proud of the metal, unlike the Scorpion track. Captain Kelvin Barclay, the engineer who

initiated the trial, said another alteration he had done was to fit M113 road wheels to the Scorpion. The only minor alterations made were to drill four extra holes into the wheel centre. This ensures the road wheels will fit all vehicles. He said the initial trial in Wellington went well, his main concem was to see if there was any tendency for the track to be thrown off but this proved to be virtually impossible.