![]() ![]() The Centurion Mk.4 packed a 95 mm howitzerbut was never mass-produced. Just like any tank, and particularly vehicles born after the Second World War, the Centurion was produced in many variants. ![]() But in the end, the Chinese competition was no match for the Centurion. A real challenge for the tank and its crews: winter was harsh, and the terrain, mainly composed of swampy rice fields, difficult. Far from the shores of Britain, three squadrons of Centurion Mk.3 arrived to the Korean peninsula. The Centurion's baptism of fire would have to wait until November 1950 though. Production started in November 1945, and the first vehicle joined the Army only a few months later, in February 1946. One hundred of them would be equipped with a 17-pounder gun and a 7.92 mm coaxial machine gun, while the rest would be armed with a bigger 20-pounder gun. The Centurion proved to be worthy of its attention, and the Army ordered no less than 800 tanksafter the tests. The trials were successful, and the Brits pushed their tank to Belgium in July 1945 to try it with further exercises. Thus, the first A41 arrived on test in April 1945 and it was finally bearing the proud name of " Centurion". In the meantime, all factories were dedicated to building or repairing already existing vehicles. However, due to the opening of a new front in Europe, the production only started a year later: in January 1945. In February 1944, two dozen prototypes were ordered to the state-owned enterprises of Woolwich and Nottingham. Imported in Sweden, the Centurion had to endure the snow Finally, the Departement of Tank Design had to find an engine powerful enough to give life to the tank, and chose the aviation engine Meteor for this mission. First, the A41 received a fast-firing 20 mm gun, which was eventually replaced by a paired machine gun. Another goal was to equip this tank according to rising threats - like anti-tank artillery and infantry. The first objective of the A41 trials was to secure reliable protection of the tank and its crew against enemy guns, including the famous 88 mm. At this time, the tank was envisioned as a 45-ton vehicle, protected by three inches of frontal armour, good angles of inclination, and propelled by a 650 horsepower engine. The Army just needed a tank on which to equip it, and so they ordered the " Cruising Tank A41" on 7 October, 1943. Luckily enough, the British Army was already equipped with the 17-pounder gun, a reliable and strong weapon. Every battle involving His Majesty's tank forces during World War II taught the British Army that they could use something, let's say, well defended but still mobile, potentially with a powerful gun. Just like any good idea, the concept of the Centurion is actually a mix of two already existing inventions: the cruising tank and its strength, plus the reliability and reasonable weight of infantry tanks. So grab your gladius and unfold the secrets of this machine with us! The Concept Moreover, since this British vehicle is one of the most influential tanks of its time, we thought a small article about its backstory was in order. ![]() With our latest Top of the Tree event, we're celebrating the Centurion tank and its whole line. ![]()
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