Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3503 British Centurion Mk.5, 4 Troop, “A” Squadron 6th Royal Tank Regiment, Suez Canal November 6, 1956 “Operation Musketeer”

THESE ARE PRE-PRODUCTION PICTURES, NOT THE FINAL PRODUCT

Authentic Detailing Pre-Painted by professionals Accurate paint colors Markings Tampo (pad) applied Fully Assembled Die-Cast Model True to Scale (1:72) Weathering and insignias Turret turns Metal turret and main gun Realistic tracks

The Centurion entered British service in 1949 and when production ended in 1962 there had been over 4,000 vehicles of all variants produced. Approximately half of the production where exported. The Centurion was a great advancement in British tank design with them using some of the best features from other tanks around the world. The Centurion was the first main battle tank in the world to use both elevation and azimuth with welded steel plates for the roof. There were about 25 different variants of the Centurion with each improving on the one before. The Mk. 5 used the same 20 pounder main gun as the Mk. 3, there was no Mk. 4 produced, but most had a “Type B” barrel with a fume extractor half way down the barrel. This got rid of fume low back into the turret and also eliminated the need for the counter weight used on the “Type A” barrel. The Mk. 5 replaced the coaxial Besa with an M1919A4 .30 cal Browning MG and a second .30 cal MG mounted on the Commander’s cupola. The switch to the .30 cal MG was to meet NATO’s standardization policy. The turret rear escape hatch was eliminated. A fifth return roller was added on both sides to help prevent throwing a track. By the late 1950’s most of the problems with the Centurion were eliminated except for its slow speed and the use of gasoline as the fuel. In 1967 the Centurion was starting to be replaced by the Chieftain.

In October of 1956 an Anglo-French invasion of the Egyptian Suez Canal region was launched when the Egpytian Government decided to nationalize it. This waterway was a vital link for international shipping and made it easier for the British to maintain their interests in the region. The action was called “Operation Musketeer” and coincided with an Israeli armor push into the Sinai. Leading the British tanks was Captain Pratley whose job it was to support the 40 and 42 Commandoes. The invasion began October 31st and the 6th RTR (Royal Tank Regiment) landed west of the canal in support of the Royal Marines and by noon managed to link up with French paratroopers moving from the east. The British and French troops met pockets of stiff resistance where they called upon the the 6th RTR and French tanks to route the Egyptian defenders. The Suez Canal was captured in a relatively short period but the Egyptians had managed to sink several ships and other obstacles making the canal unusable. Under pressure from possible Soviet military intervention, an oil embargo by Saudi Arabia, lack of support from other Commonwealth countries and a threat by the US to devalue the British Pound the British declared a ceasefire without telling the Israeli or French Governments. This unilateral action by Britain eventually lead to France withdrawing from NATO and both Britain and France withdrew their troops by the end of 1956. Ultimately this damaged the prestige of Britain and France and increased Arab hostilities toward them. President Nasser of Egypt came out of the conflict with greater power and respect by other Arab nations and ultimately retained control of the canal.

Specifications Centurion Mk. 5 MBT Manufacturer: Vickers Production period: 1955 -1958 Number produced: 221 Crew: four Dimensions Length: Hull only - 24 ft 9.5 in (7.55 m) Length: Hull and gun - 32.33 ft (9.85 m) Width: 11.12 ft (3.39 m) Height: 9.87 ft (3.00 m) Combat weight: 111,966 lb Power plant Engine: Rolls-Royce Mk IVB 12-cylinder liquid-cooled petrol producing 650hp at 2550rpm Fuel capacity: 273.9 US gal (1,037 l) Range: 118 miles (190 km) Maximum speed: 21.12 mph (34 km/h)

Armour: 17mm - 152 mm Armament Primary: Quick firing 20 pounder (83.4 mm) main gun 64 rounds Secondary: 0.30 in Browning MG belt fed, air-cooled. ROF 425-450 rounds/minute 0.30 in Browning MG belt fed, air-cooled. ROF 425-450 rounds/minute (commander’s cupola) 2 x 6 smoke grenade discharger’s