In order to maintain its combat effectiveness, continuing modifications have led to numerous changes to main gun armament (e.g. NB: It was reputed that the performance of the 20 pounder gun (when firing APDS) was twice that of the 88mm gun of the German, Royal Tiger Tank. These changes resulted in the Mk 3 version of the vehicle. However, modifications to the original design were quickly made and the changes resulted in the adoption of a 20 pounder, fully stabilised, main gun and the replacement of the 20 mm cannon by a Besa mg (thus allowing the turret to be fully cast). They also featured frontal, glacis plate armour to deflect shot, a partially cast turret and Horstmann suspension. The early vehicles were equipped with a 17 pounder main gun and a 20mm Polsten cannon. It was soon recognised that the weight restrictions had to be lifted as the original specification could not be achieved within the 40 ton weight limitation. Six prototypes were developed before the end of World War 2, but arrived to late to take part in the war on German soil. In 1943, after a succession of unfortunate tank designs the British War Office commissioned a new specification calling for a tank with durability, reliability, a weight of 40 tons and the ability to withstand a direct hit from the German 88mm gun. Makers: AEC, Leyland Motors, Royal Ordnance Factory and Vickers Ltd. Trench crossing ability 3.35m, vertical obstacle. Smoke grenades: Two sets mounted on each side of the turret, each with two sets of three barrels. (This conversion resulted in the Mk 5 variant). 50 cal Browning mg was fitted as a ranging gun.Īmmunition: 65 rounds comprising Armour piercing discarding sabot (APDS), High explosive, Canister and Smoke. Main Armament: Stabilised, fully powered traverse,Ī. Power/weight ratio 13 bhp/ton Charging engine - Morris Mk 2 petrol, liquid cooled 4 cyl., side valve engine, developing 20 bhp at 2,500 rpm. Power-plant: Main engine - Rolls Royce Meteor Mk IVB 12 cylinder liquid cooled, petrol engine, developing 650 bhp at 2,550 rpm. Weight: 51.8 Tonnes: Max Armour thickness 152 mm (Glacis Plate).

Technical Details History Australian Service History This ExhibitĬenturion Main Battle Tank (Mark 3 Specification)Ĭrew: 4 Length: (hull) 7.8 m (gun forward) 9.85 m, Width: (including skirts) 3.39 m.

Centurion tank