Author Topic: British Centurion 105mm Gun Samples 211005  (Read 45635 times)

Rubicon Models

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British Centurion 105mm Gun Samples 211005
« on: January 04, 2020, 04:17:33 pm »
Being the first "Project of the Month" for 2020, we would like to have something different, something out of the ordinary and new... the Centurion Mk 3!!

The Centurion was the primary British main battle tank of the post-Second World War period. Introduced in 1945, it is widely considered to be one of the most successful post-war tank designs, remaining in production into the 1960s, and seeing combat in the front lines into the 1980s. The chassis was also adapted for several other roles, and these have remained in service to this day.

Development of the Centurion began in 1943 with manufacture beginning in January 1945. During WW2, six prototypes arrived in Belgium less than a month after the war in Europe ended in May 1945. It first entered combat with the British Army in the Korean War in 1950, in support of the UN forces. The Centurion later served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, where it fought against US-supplied M47 and M48 Patton tanks and it served with the Royal Australian Armoured Corps in Vietnam.

The Centurion Mk 3 is fitted with 20pdr, slightly shorter hull, 2 stowage positions for track links on the glacis, vehicle weight 49 tons.

Please note the gun travel lock had been updated since these images are created.
















Enjoy!
;)
« Last Edit: October 05, 2021, 03:49:26 pm by Rubicon Models »

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: New Project of the Month - Jan 2020 - British Centurion Mk 3
« Reply #1 on: January 04, 2020, 09:10:41 pm »
Nice.

Not sure what I would do with one (beyond "British tank! Shiny!").

Jaeger

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Re: New Project of the Month - Jan 2020 - British Centurion Mk 3
« Reply #2 on: January 05, 2020, 08:31:57 am »
The Centurion is a wonderful tank project.  Centurions fought against T-34/85 in Korea as well as other late war Soviet vehicles.  This may be the first of a variety of post WWII AFVs.  The T-44 became the T-54 and T-55.  The M26 Pershing became the M46 Patton.  Then there's the mid-east conflicts....

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: New Project of the Month - Jan 2020 - British Centurion Mk 3
« Reply #3 on: January 05, 2020, 05:24:49 pm »
The Centurion is a wonderful tank project.
I will agree, but for me (YMMV) it is the wrong scale for 28mm (except for Weird War  2, and perhaps Korea - where there is no plastic infantry).

I will get one (because), but ...

Pinky

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Re: New Project of the Month - Jan 2020 - British Centurion Mk 3
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2020, 03:00:43 pm »
I have been nagging Rubicon about this for ages, so I'm really pleased to see it.  I think that when it comes to vehicles like this, which served beyond WW2, it's a bit of a case of 'if you build it they will come'.  While there may not be a big market for post-war armour for wargaming yet, by making the kits available in plastic Rubicon are paving the way for wargames rules etc.  Warlord have already moved into Korea, although their own model range is pretty crap.  Maybe we'll see rules for the early Arab-Israeli wars, and Vietnam.  For me, having the Centurion (and the Comet and M26) in 28mm, with simplified tracks, is an end in itself!

Rubicon Models

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2020, 03:29:17 pm »
Responses from Facebook on the Centurion Mk 3 had been very positive.  We have decided to release the Centurion Mk 5 and Mk 5-1 drawings for additional feedback as well.

The Centurion Mk 5 had Browning machine guns fitted to coaxial and commander's cupola mounts, turret rear escape door deleted, turret roof reshaped, deletion of 2" bomb thrower in turret roof, extra stowage bin on the glacis, and the addition of guide roller in track run.  The vehicle now weighed 51 tons.

The Centurion Mk 5/1 (aka FV 4011) was used by the Royal Australian Armoured Corps' (RAAC) during the Vietnam War in 1967 had increased glacis armour, two coax machine guns: one .30 Browning & one .50 caliber Browning for ranging the 84mm (20 pounder) main gun.

We have decided NOT TO pursue additional Centurion MBT variants until the Mk 3 and Mk 5 projects are completed.  There are just too many variables and changes to each variant which make it impossible to focus on the project.

What do you think?








































Enjoy!
 ;)
« Last Edit: January 06, 2020, 03:51:49 pm by Rubicon Models »

MassRager

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2020, 05:02:21 am »
ill take 2 :-), they look great

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2020, 06:58:42 am »
Nice.

Very Australian with the mixed can rack and the spare wheels.

Are you doing a transparent driver's screen?


Pinky

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #8 on: January 08, 2020, 11:13:53 am »
Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion.  I was going to suggest it, but thought it was too obscure for Rubicon to want to tackle; I thought an IDF Centurion was more likely.  Anyway, I hope this sees the light of day.  The Australian version had a lot of modifications - it would be quite a sophisticated kit.  How will you deal with the turret stowage basket?  It's potentially quite fiddly.

I suppose an M48A3 Patton is a logical next step.  And maybe a T-54.

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2020, 03:57:40 pm »
Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion.
Ah, you have not been watching the "Conflicts that came in from the Cold" sub-forum on Lead Adventures.
Someone complained that that all the threads on page one were about Vietnam.

Empress Miniatures (and to a lesser extent Gringos 40) have a rapidly expanding range of figures and (vehicles in 1/48-50 scale).

Jimmy_P

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #10 on: January 11, 2020, 06:33:30 am »
Wow, I did not expect to see an Aussie Centurion.
Ah, you have not been watching the "Conflicts that came in from the Cold" sub-forum on Lead Adventures.
Someone complained that that all the threads on page one were about Vietnam.

Empress Miniatures (and to a lesser extent Gringos 40) have a rapidly expanding range of figures and (vehicles in 1/48-50 scale).

IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).


spad

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #11 on: January 11, 2020, 09:53:04 am »
Hello everypeeps,
this is my first visit to the forum & my first post & I have to say I was blown away when I came across the Centurion news, can't wait!!  Any release dates yet?
cheers,
spad

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2020, 01:13:33 am »
IMO Vietnam (and Aussie cent) make more sense in 1/56. I'd love a Rubicon produced Israeli Centurion, but for wargaming purposes I'd want it in 15mm or less (ideally 10mm I guess).
I would have preferred 1/50, as it suits Empress miniatures.

It is not so bad for tanks.


But soft skins (and civilian cars...).

Company B (I have not assembled the Kafer yet).

1/50 scale just gives vehicles just that bit more heft with respect to the Paul Hicks figures.

Empress V100 with Rubicon decals.

303in204

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #13 on: January 13, 2020, 01:46:39 am »
I think Rubicon have their "own" line of figures planned to go with their post war collection (I say "own" as perhaps this is one area where they're planning a collaborative effort)

I just hope they take a different approach than they have with their ww2 figures.

ultravanillasmurf

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Re: British Centurion Mk 5 & Mk 5-1 200106
« Reply #14 on: January 13, 2020, 03:08:42 am »
I think Rubicon have their "own" line of figures planned to go with their post war collection (I say "own" as perhaps this is one area where they're planning a collaborative effort)

I just hope they take a different approach than they have with their ww2 figures.
As someone noted in the 2020 banner, there is a least one figure with an FN FAL.