British v Australian Centurion (1 Viewer)

[robyd]

Hi,
A question please.
My Dad used to drive one of theses in the 5o’s. He was in the 17th/21st Lancers.
Apart from the fact that on the box is says Australian, is there any difference between the tanks .
I’m thinking a could buy this and put the death or glory insignia on it.
Looking at photos, to me it looks the same but the people who served would know.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Northgate Woods]

Hi,
A question please.
My Dad used to drive one of theses in the 5o’s. He was in the 17th/21st Lancers.
Apart from the fact that on the box is says Australian, is there any difference between the tanks .
I’m thinking a could buy this and put the death or glory insignia on it.
Looking at photos, to me it looks the same but the people who served would know.
Thanks,
Rob

Rob mate,
The Centurions that where purchased by Australia from Britain were Mk 3 and Mk 5 models and were upgraded to Mk 105/1 by the start of the Vietnam war. The British Army used Mk 3 models in the Korean War. Before being fazed out of service the Centurion reached Mk 13 status.
The Aussie version that K&C have produced is the Mk 105/1 which differs from the British versions "mainly" by having no side skirts and the long range fuel tank attached to the rear and also two spare road wheels on the front glacier plate. If you where good at modelling like Obee then by removing and adding those items you would have yourself a British Mk 5 Centurion.
The Israeli version of Centurion which I am led to believe will be released in 2020 would be the closest thing to it but will of course be painted in desert sand colour. Also the Israeli used a .50 cal pintle mounted MG as against the Brit and Aussies which used a .30 cal MG.
I hope this helps cobber.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard

 

[robyd]

Thanks Howard for taking the time to answer. That’s really helpful.