“Centurion MBT
”
W
e are currently in the middle of restoring this vehicle, which is fast becoming one of the most time consuming, restoration project Turrets and Tracks has under taken, this vehicle had sat outside in the middle of a field for several years. We have fitting a new Roll Royce metoer main engine also the Morris generating engine is being replaced. The Mk 13 was the last in the series of Centurions to serve with the British Army after going through several modifications, originally being produced as a up armoured Mk 8 with a 20 pounder main gun, then being converted to a Mk10 with a 105mm L7A2gun infra red driving lights and drivers sight, a 22inch infra red search light commanders and gunners infra red gun sights a turrets basket fitted to the rear of the turrets., the final modification was fitting a .50 cal ranging machine gun designation a Mk13.
“Centurion MBT
”
SPECIFICATION
Crew of four; Driver, Radio Operator / Loader. Gunner and Commander
ARMAMENT
The Centuion Main Battle Tank Mk13 is fitted with Ordnance 105mm L7A2 gun firing HE (high explosive) and APDS (armoured piercing discarding sabot) on the exterior of the cupola is a 30in No.7 MK 1 browning machine gun and is used by the commander for defence against ground troops and low flying aircraft, The gunner also has a .30in browning mounted alongside the main gun and .50in M2 browning for ranging. You will see smoke discharges on both sides of the turret, which would provide a readily available smoke screen which can be used to allow the vehicle to manoeuvre under cover. The dischargers are designed to fire the No.80 grenade using electric No.F103 MK 2 and 3 fuse’s as propellant.
ENGINE
The Centurion Main Battle Tank Mk13 is fitted with the Rolls Royce Mk 4B, 12 cylinder, 27 litre water cooled petrol engine, producing 650bhp at 2500rpm, giving the vehicle a top speed of 21mph. The vehicle is also fitted with a Morris USHNM Mk 2 water-cooled, petrol engine, 4 cylinder side valve, producing 20bhp to drive a 3kw Dynamo for charging the batteries and