Centurion 1960s Camo BAOR

[Tom 2]

I'm in search of a date or photos of Centurions in the newer Green/Black camo during the 1960s. I am wondering when this change took place, and which marks of Centurions were in service at the time.

 

I've looked through some of the more popular Broad Centurion Books but my access to the more specific books is limited.

[Kingsman]

You would certainly be looking at 105mm versions: no 20pdrs.  With Chieftain incoming from 1966, but not fully in service until 1972, we are looking at final versions.

 

There are essentially 3 variant streams for Centurions. 

• Mk 3 - 5 - 6 - 11
• Mk 7 - 9 - 12
• Mk 8 - 10 - 13

Mks 11, 12 and 13 are certainties for the mid-60s.  Mk 10s are possibility, Mk 9s an outside possibility.  All of those would be IR-equipped and have the ranging MG.

 

Now you're going to ask what kits are available for that period.  In 1/35 the answer is none.  With a little work you could turn an AFV Club Mk 6 into a Mk 11.  No manufacturer has yet turned their attention to the Mk 7 and Mk 8 variant streams.  Scorpion Miniature Models have a whole range of Centurion conversion parts from which you can make everything up to a Mk 13.  For a price.

 

There are some Mk 5s in 1/72 and 1/56 so a Mk 11 is a possibility there too.  A 105mm barrel would be an essential start point.

[Tahir]

I have never heard of an Centurion Mk6 from AFV. Club. Mk6 and Mk11 is sort of only Canadien Centurion, as far as I know

 

 

SMM is very helpfull, with guides to the different Marks and pictures

 

https://www.scorpion-miniature-models.co.uk/centurion-page-real

 

Another cool side is

 

https://www.cybermodeler.com/armor/centurion/centurion_all.shtml

 

Try youtube, there are some cool finds, or search Museum webpages. 

 

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Centurion_tanks_in_museums

 

Not forget primeportal, it is mostly intakt, but slow

 

http://www.primeportal.net/the_battlefield_armor.htm

Edited November 5 by Tahir
Typo

[pigsty]

2 hours ago, Tahir said:

I have never heard of an Centurion Mk6 from AFV. Club.

My AFV Club kit (35122) says it offers a Mk.5/2 or a Mk.6.  No idea how accurate it is, though.

[Tahir]

Ah, you are right, I never realised,  that 6 on the Box

 

 

[Kingsman]

A Mk 6 is a Mk 5 with the 105mm L7 gun.  Yes AFV Club do it.

 

Canada purchased Mk 3s.  These were progressively updated to Mk 11 standard, but only the force stationed in Germany was fully equipped with Mk 11s.

[Tom 2]

Thank you all for the replies.

 

With the MK 10 - 13s is there a reason which ones had a thermal sleeve? I haven't found an answer so far.

[Kingsman]

Not really.  Training vehicles in the UK are often seen without them.  Prioritised for line regiments still using the Cent.