Hobby Master Archive

Hobby Master 1/72 Ground Power Series HG3514 British Centurion Mk.5/1 169041, RAAC “War of Vietnam”

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 tank arrived too late for service in WWII but became the back- bone of the post-war British Army because of its thick armor, adaptability of the chassis. The tank went on to serve admirably in Korea, the Middle East, South Asia and Vietnam. The Mk. 5 with its stabilized L7 105mm gun was a huge improvement over any of the earlier marks. The L7 became the benchmark until the L44 120mm gun was developed and used on the Leopard II and M1A1/2.

Built in 1951 as Centurion number 39/190 and assigned the British Army number 06 BA 16. In 1952 it was sent to the RAAC as 169041 and became part of a nuclear blast test in 1953. It was left with the engine running and it survived but its external parts had been blown away but it was still drivable. The tank became known as The Atomic Tank and served for another 23 years under the names Angelique and Sweet Fanny. Centurion 169041 was later upgraded to a Mk.5.

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