Author Topic: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration  (Read 76582 times)

Offline Gingie

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #100 on: July 04, 2016, 03:36:53 AM »
I spotted the 40m SPAA idea a few pages back.  I'm considering something similar, a mid-1960s hypothetical IDF variant:  Use an AFV Club Meteor-engined Cent hull and the the turret from the Heller AMX-30 DCA.  Perhaps change out the guns; if I want to get radical I could try to fit my own IMI 60mm hypervelocity barrels.  If there's not enough width for that at the trunnions, I could always cut the turret and trunnions in half and add strip stock to widen the turret.


Here's the build pics from the drawing earlier in the thread

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=154.0
« Last Edit: July 04, 2016, 03:41:03 AM by Gingie »

Offline Story

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #101 on: August 04, 2016, 01:50:27 AM »
Didn't see where the thread talked about the South African OLIPHANT 1A. This is a 20 year old build, using a really really old (as in, motorized!) TAMIYA kit as the base and everything else looted from the spare box. The base color is NUTRIA, sort of a South African dirt brown.  South Africans thought the side skirts were more trouble than they were worth, considering the operational terrain, and the front fenders were easily damaged (like the Cuban T55s they faced).

Just noticed the left smoke grenade launcher is missing it's bottom tube. Bush damage, no doubt.






Background here, for the most part
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/coldwar/South_Africa/Olifant_MkI.php

IIRC, the South Africans smuggled in the hulls and turrets from the Jordanians, then used an Israeli template to fit an L7 105mm main gun and 12 cylinder diesel drivetrain.

Used in combat against Cuban forces and their friends in Angola.

« Last Edit: August 04, 2016, 01:55:09 AM by Story »

Offline Story

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #102 on: August 04, 2016, 02:11:02 AM »
There's also the Israeli mercenary Centurians (equipped with nuclear power plants and laser Gatling guns) of the TEXAS ISRAELI WAR of 1999 timeline.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Texas-Israeli_War:_1999


Offline Volkodav

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #103 on: October 12, 2016, 07:44:06 PM »
Earlier on in the thread there was a suggestion of a US Army Centurion (or at least US markings for Korea) and I was wondering it could actually have happened.

My understanding was the M-24s struggled against the T34/85, the late model M-4 was a pretty good match, while the M-26 overmatched them but were compromised by their mobility in the terrain found in Korea, hence the types withdrawal and replacement with M-4s and M-46s at the earliest opportunity.  At the same time the Centurion developed a very solid reputation for its protection, mobility as well as the accuracy of it's gun, with (apparently) many US infantry units preferring / requesting Centurions in the DFS role when available. 

How about once the issues with the M-26 became apparent Britain was in a position to offer a regiment or brigade worth of Cents to the US for use in Korea.  Possibly these could have been the five regiments worth of Centurions (also ten regiments worth of Comets were planned for the CMF as well) Australia determined they needed for their post war army but never ordered.  In this alt they could have ordered them but made them available to the US for Korean operations. 

Assuming this deployment went well the US could have even developed their own version with US engine and 90mm gun which could become the NATO / MAP standard tank before eventually ending up with a 105mm diesel powered version.

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #104 on: October 14, 2016, 12:51:22 PM »
Centurion Infantry Support Tank armed with the 25pdr/95mm Howitzer
"Every day we hear about new studies 'revealing' what should have been obvious to sentient beings for generations; 'Research shows wolverines don't like to be teased" -- Jonah Goldberg

Offline Volkodav

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #105 on: October 14, 2016, 02:57:32 PM »
Centurion Infantry Support Tank armed with the 25pdr/95mm Howitzer

I will happily stand corrected but I believe the L9 165mm demolition gun on the Centurion AVRE was originally designed as the Close Support counterpart to the 20pdr tank gun, pretty much as the 3" served on the CS versions of 2pdr tanks and the 95mm on CS versions of 6pdr and 75mm tanks.

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #106 on: October 15, 2016, 03:14:46 AM »
Don't forget the FV3802 which was was a Self-propelled 25-pdr artillery prototype based on the Centurion—engine at the rear as in the gun tank, but only five road wheels per side. The gun was fitted in a barbette with 45° traverse to each side.

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Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #107 on: October 23, 2016, 04:04:39 AM »
Random Idea:  Centurion tank with turret from AMX-13
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Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #108 on: December 14, 2017, 03:55:46 PM »
Apparently the Swiss developed their Centurions into a series of turret bunkers.  Which allowed them to more easily defend the approaches to their country.

This included a specialised version intended to emplace the turrets in the bunker.  Apparently it had suspension which could be lowered to allow it to pass through road tunnels more easily.


Offline M.A.D

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #109 on: January 29, 2018, 03:28:48 AM »
Apparently the Swiss developed their Centurions into a series of turret bunkers.  Which allowed them to more easily defend the approaches to their country.

This included a specialised version intended to emplace the turrets in the bunker.  Apparently it had suspension which could be lowered to allow it to pass through road tunnels more easily.




Wow, how interesting  Rickshaw - so please correct me if I'm wrong, but the crane is there to lift and self-deploy the Centurion's turret into a fortification?

M. A. D

Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #110 on: January 29, 2018, 03:21:33 PM »
Basically, yes.  Once emplaced the turret was then built into the fortifications more fully.

Offline GTX_Admin

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #111 on: January 30, 2018, 01:59:46 AM »
Kind of like the Heuschrecke 10:


« Last Edit: January 30, 2018, 02:01:43 AM by GTX_Admin »
All hail the God of Frustration!!!

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Offline Gingie

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #112 on: January 30, 2018, 06:51:12 AM »
Well, I learned something new today! Thanks!

Offline dy031101

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #113 on: July 13, 2018, 11:45:11 PM »
Videogame illustration of a what-if Centurion Marksman:
« Last Edit: July 13, 2018, 11:48:26 PM by dy031101 »
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Offline Twiddle

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #114 on: August 26, 2018, 09:17:21 PM »
Heavy APC based on the Centurion ?
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !

Offline kitnut617

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #115 on: August 26, 2018, 11:26:21 PM »
Heavy APC based on the Centurion ?

My wife's Dad was in the REME, and for a while was attached to the recovery team. He told me he used to drive a recovery Centurion.

Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #116 on: August 27, 2018, 01:31:28 PM »
Heavy APC based on the Centurion ?


The Jordanians developed perhaps the best heavy APC MBT converion the Temsah ("Crocodile") vehicle:









Basically they turned the Centurion around.  The rear became the front, with the engine and a new superstructure was emplaced over the fighting compartment and a new Glacis was placed over the engine compartment.  The old Glacis had a hatch cut into it and it has a ramp emplaced there.  This overcomes the many problems the Israelis discovered when they converted T-55 hulls to the Achzarit heavy APC.   The Jordanian method ensures that the vehicle has heavier protection conferred by the Engine and transmission while making sure the infantry don't have to get over the rear drive shaft to exit the vehicle.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2018, 07:48:43 PM by Rickshaw »

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #117 on: August 27, 2018, 06:08:06 PM »
Sorry, mate, 3 of the images don't show - just image icons with red crosses through them. :icon_crap:
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #118 on: August 27, 2018, 07:49:13 PM »
Fixed now.  Found a better source for the images.

Offline Old Wombat

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #119 on: August 28, 2018, 04:29:36 PM »
Ta! :smiley:

I like that one! 8)
"This is the Captain. We have a little problem with our engine sequence, so we may experience some slight turbulence and, ah, explode."

Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #120 on: August 29, 2018, 10:22:04 AM »
Ta! :smiley:

I like that one! 8)

It is a nice one, isn't it?  Wouldn't be too difficult to recreate in 1/72 or 1/35.  ;)

Offline Gingie

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #121 on: August 29, 2018, 10:33:58 AM »




Basically they turned the Centurion around.  The rear became the front, with the engine and a new superstructure was emplaced over the fighting compartment and a new Glacis was placed over the engine compartment. 


Kind of Merkava-1-ish looking

Offline Jeffry Fontaine

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #122 on: August 29, 2018, 10:43:54 AM »
Has anyone acquired the HobbyBoss Oliphant?  Looking forward to seeing what that kit offers.  The squared off turret is intriguing and at first glance it made me think of a Leopard II turrent mated to a Centurion.
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Offline Rickshaw

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #123 on: August 30, 2018, 11:16:39 AM »
Quote
The Multi-purpose Armored Platform or MAP heavy armored personnel carrier was developed by King Abdulah II Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). It is a conversion of Tariq main battle tank (upgraded version of Centurion). Jordanian Armed Forces ordered four MAP heavy APCs for delivery in 2014. More of these vehicles are expected to be ordered in the future.

   The main mission of heavy armored personnel carriers is to support mechanized formations. On the battlefield these heavily armored vehicles move alongside main battle tanks. Such machines are less vulnerable to anti-tank fire than conventional APCs or IFVs. The MAP can be used to carry troops and ammunition. Alternatively it can be used as armored ambulance or command post vehicle.

   Jordanian Army has short of 300 Tariq tanks in storage. These tanks were obtained from United Kingdom. The Centurion was developed during the World War II. It entered service with the British Army in 1946. Despite all upgrades this tank is out dated and is no longer suitable for frontline service. Chassis of Jordanian Tariq tanks are being re-used for heavy armored personnel carriers and other armored vehicles.

   During conversion process the turret has been removed. Vehicle was widened by 45 cm. Front and rear hatches were added. Rear exit hatch resembles that of the Israeli Achzarit heavy armored personnel carrier. It is unusual feature of the armored vehicle to have a front hatch for dismounts.

   It is worth noting that in 2001 KADDB revealed a Temsah heavy APC. This vehicle is also based on Centurion tank. However Temsah had front and rear end of the Centurion swapped in order to create a troop compartment at the rear. So the vehicle was driving backwards comparing with original Centurion. It seems that Temsah is no longer marketed by the KADDB. In comparison the MAP has a standard layout of the Centurion with the engine compartment at the rear. It is an entirely new vehicle.

   The MAP is much better protected than M113 APC, currently used by Jordanian Armed Forces. The new Jordanian heavy APC has a low-profile hull. Hull sides are covered by massive side skirts. The MAP has level of protection similar to that of main battle tanks. Add-on passive or explosive reactive armor can be fitted.

   Vehicle is armed with remotely controlled station, fitted with 12.7-mm machine gun and Kornet-E anti-tank missile launcher. There is also a 7.62-mm machine gun on a different mount, operated by vehicle commander.

   The MAP has a crew of two and carries 11 fully-equipped troops. Troops enter and leave the vehicle via front or rear doors. Also there are roof hatches for observation, firing and emergency exit.

   This Jordanian heavy APC is powered by Continental AVDS-1790 supercharged diesel engine, developing 900 hp. The same engine was used on various US main battle tanks as well as Tariq MBT. Engine is mated to Allison automatic transmission. Maximum range on fuel is only 200 km.

   KADDB also developed variants of the MAP such as 120-mm mortar carrier and ammunition carrier.

[Source]







Offline Twiddle

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Re: Centurion Tank Ideas and Inspiration
« Reply #124 on: September 23, 2018, 02:37:03 PM »
Bundeswehr Raketenjagdpanzer Centurion ?
Kit instructions are not acceptable - let the imagination howl forth !