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Centurion tank series#

The Christie suspension with internal vertical spring coils was replaced by a Horstmann suspension with external horizontal springs. Tank Design responded by extending the long-travel 5-wheel suspension used on the Comet with the addition of a sixth wheel and an extended spacing between the second and third wheels.

Centurion tank series#

After a series of fairly marginal designs in the A series in the past, and bearing in mind the threat posed by the German 88 mm gun, the War Office demanded a major revision of the design requirements, specifically: increased durability and reliability, a maximum weight of 40 tons and the ability to withstand a direct hit from the German 88 mm gun. In 1943 the Department of Tank Design was asked to produce a new design for a heavy cruiser tank under the General Staff designation A41. 2.1.1 Centurion production mark numbers.

As recently as the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict the Israel Defense Forces employed heavily modified Centurions as armoured personnel carriers and combat engineering vehicles. It became one of the most widely used tank designs, equipping armies around the world, with some still in service until the 1990s.

The Royal Jordanian Land Force used Centurion tanks first in 1970 to fend off a Syrian incursion within its borders during the Black September events and later in the Golan Heights in 1973.

South Africa used its Centurions in Angola.

Centurions modified as APCs were used in Gaza, the West Bank and the Lebanese border.

It was sold to Israel which used Centurions in 1967, 1973, and during the 19 invasions of Lebanon.

It served with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in Vietnam.

The Centurion later served in the Indo-Pakistani wars of 19, successfully fighting US supplied Pakistani M47s,.

It first entered combat with British forces in the Korean War in 1950, in support of the UN forces.

The chassis was also adapted for several other roles.ĭevelopment of the tank began in 1943 and manufacture of the Centurion began in January 1945, six prototypes arriving in Belgium soon after the war in Europe ended in May 1945. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades. The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period.