TSWBX02: Centurion Tank Platoon

The Swedes have been using the British Centurion since 1953. By the 1980s upgrade programs have modernised the fleet and all tanks are armed with the 105mm L7 rifled gun. The Strv 104 Centurions are equipped with new sights and an improved fire control system. They have had the old petrol engine replaced by the engine and transmission from the American M60, comprising an air-cooled diesel engine and a semi-automatic gearbox. The Strv 104 inherited the Mark 10 Centurion’s 120mm thick sloped armour. To this have been added Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) blocks that cover the glacis front, part of the turret ring, front, mantlet and turret roof.

The Strv 104 Centurion is well liked; the new gearbox makes it very easy to drive compared to its predecessor, and the top speed has increased to 48km/h (from 35km/h).

In Israeli Service
The British Centurion tank was known as the Sho’t (Whip) in the Israeli Defence Force. Almost all of these were rearmed with deadly British 105mm L7 guns (although a few that fought on the road to Jerusalem in 1967 still had their old 20 pdr guns).

Some battalions still operate the Sho’t (Whip) Centurion. These British tanks have been heavily upgraded since the wars of 1967 and 1973, with new American diesel engines and automatic transmissions giving them many mechanical components in common with the M60 Patton, or Magach 6 as the IDF call them, and the new Merkava tanks. They have been all upgraded to the M68/L7 105mm main gun in common with the Magach 6, Merkava 1, and Merkava 2 as well as having improved fire-control systems and upgraded protection in the form of Blazer explosive reactive armour (ERA) and additional armour plates. These modifications have greatly enhanced the combat power of the Sho’t. These fully upgraded versions were know as Sho’t Kal Gimel.

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS:

• 5x plastic Strv 104 Centurion or Danish Centurion or Centurion DK Tanks or Israeli Sho't or Sho't (Blazer) Tanks

These miniatures are supplied unassembled and unpainted