What are the age requirements?

Passengers/gunners must be at least 12; drivers must be 18 or older with a current UK driving licence.

Can both participants drive and fire?

Yes—choose the two-driver option to split driving and firing time; both drivers must meet licence and age requirements.

Are photos and video allowed?

Yes, with staff permission. Bring a compact camera or phone; larger tripods may not be practical on the course.

Is ear protection provided?

Yes. Staff provide hearing protection but guests with sensitivity should bring their own plugs or earmuffs.

How long should I plan for the visit?

Plan about an hour for check-in, briefing, the drive/fire session, and debrief—book additional time if you want to tour the museum.

What happens in bad weather?

Sessions run in most weather, but extreme conditions can cause cancellations or rescheduling—check with the operator before travel.

Drive and Fire a Scorpion Tank at Gatwick Aviation Museum | Shooting Range | Attraction

Adventure Brief

Take the wheel of a real FV101 Scorpion light tank at Gatwick Aviation Museum — drive, aim, and fire the 76mm gun in a 45–60 minute, two-person experience. Perfect for thrill-seekers, gifts, or team-building, this hands-on session pairs authenticity with strict safety and museum context.

45–60 minutes

moderate

From £523.95

On a field beside Gatwick’s low-slung airport perimeter, the Scorpion Firing Experience at Gatwick Aviation Museum delivers something rare: the chance to drive and fire a real armored vehicle. Located at Lowfield Heath Rd, Charlwood, RH6 0BT, this 45–60 minute session pairs two people—one driver, one gunner—in the museum’s nimble FV101 Scorpion light tank. Drivers steer across a compact course while gunners load and fire the Scorpion’s 76mm gun at marked targets, a loud, precise moment that stays with you. Booking is built for pairs and small teams; drivers must be over 18 with a current UK driving licence, and passengers/gunners can be 12 or older. If both participants want wheel time, the two-driver option gives each person roughly 20–30 minutes behind the controls including firing. Staff briefs cover safety, ammunition handling, and how to coordinate movements—teamwork and clear communication make the run feel like a live-action lesson in vehicle tactics rather than a gimmick. Why this experience stands out is twofold: authenticity and setting. The Scorpion is a genuine Cold War-era light tank with real firing mechanics and the museum setting keeps the activity rooted in historical context. The museum itself houses a collection of aircraft and military artifacts, and the surrounding Lowfield Heath fields and proximity to Gatwick Airport add an unusual juxtaposition—sudden, mechanical thunder against a backdrop of civilian air traffic. Practical details matter. Expect a short safety briefing and basic instruction before you climb in. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dusty; temperatures inside the hull can climb on sunny days. The activity is short but intense—plan about an hour at the site for check-in, gearing, and debrief. It’s an ideal adrenaline hit for weekend visitors staying in nearby Crawley, Horley, or the Gatwick area. This isn’t a wilderness outing or a museum tour; it’s an active, hands-on encounter that connects visitors to military machinery and the tactile reality of armored vehicle operation. For photographers and gearheads it offers dramatic visuals: the silhouette of the Scorpion, the flash of the 76mm firing, the choreography of driver and gunner working together. For anyone seeking an unforgettable gift or an offbeat team-building exercise, the Scorpion Firing Experience marries historical texture with a high-adrenaline, expertly run session. The museum staff operate the experience with clear safety protocols, and the meeting point is the Gatwick Aviation Museum reception at Lowfield Heath Rd. Photo and video opportunities are allowed with staff permission; bring a compact camera or phone and a lens that handles action. Noise levels are high during firing—ear protection is provided but bring your own if sensitive. Reserve online in advance through the experience referral link to secure a weekend slot. Expect grit, speed, and smiles.

About SWB Motorsport

SWB Motorsport is a specialist experience provider based in Dunchurch, England, offering hands‑on military and heavy‑vehicle driving experiences. The operator stages a range of supervised activities that let participants drive tanks, Leyland and DAF army trucks, MAN off‑road trucks, Scorpion vehicles, Snatch Land Rovers and a Dennis Sabre fire engine. Experiences include tank driving and passenger rides in the Alvis CVR(T) Spartan 'sports tank', Scorpion firing and driving sessions, Leyland DAF 45/150 and T244 truck drives, MAN SV off‑road runs, and the junior military buggy Desert Storm activity for ages 12 and up.

Several experiences are 20‑minute sessions, and vehicle specifications feature notable details such as the Spartan’s Jaguar E‑Type engine, a MAN SV with 325bhp, and the Scorpion’s 76mm gun for supervised firing. Drivers tackle off‑road courses, obstacles like the Dennis fire engine brick wall test, and high‑speed sections with reported speeds over 40–50mph on selected experiences.

SWB Motorsport operates at a dedicated Dunchurch venue and presents experiences with instructor supervision and safety procedures built into each activity. The business appears on The Adventure Collective, where its experiences are listed for booking and discovery. SWB Motorsport’s offering focuses on realistic military and heavy‑vehicle handling, combining adrenaline, technical driving and supervised firing opportunities for participants seeking authentic, high‑intensity driving experiences. The junior Military Driving Experience welcomes drivers aged 12 and above and the Gatwick tank driving option highlights the Spartan’s capability to reach speeds over 50mph. Each booking outlines age limits, session length and safety briefings before activity start. details.

Drive and Fire a Scorpion Tank at Gatwick Aviation Museum

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