Turrets and Tracks
Centurion AVRE
Centurion AVRE, Tank, Military Vehicle.
Centurion AVRE
(Assault Vehicle Royal Engineers)
SPECIFICATION
Weight: - 51.4 tons
Width: - 13ft
Height: - 9ft 10in.
Length: - 28ft 6in
Speed: - 21MPH
Crew of five; Driver, Co Driver, Radio operator / Loader, Gunner and Commander.
The Centurion AVRE was Turrets and Tracks' first Main Battle Tank to join the collection. Acquired in 1997, the tank was stripped to its bare hull, turret and tracks. The exterior was "needle gunned" back to bare steel and repainted. The interior was totally overhauled, engine and transmission was freed off and serviced before attempting to start. The dozer blade and fascine cradle took many months to relocate after being sold of separately by the British Army to a scrap dealer. The turret basket was re-manufactured from a damaged part, acquired from another Centurion Main Battle Tank. Restoration took approximately 18 months to complete.
Centurion AVRE being delivered
The Centurion AVRE was originally built as a Mk3 Main Battle Tank in 1950. However, in the late 50's, it was converted to a Centurion AVRE. It was then re-issued to the British Army, specifically the Royal Engineers in 1962. She served during peace time in the U.K. and Germany and first saw combat during the 1991 Gulf War. They were nick named "The Antiques Road Show" since most of these vehicles were over 40 years old. 02 BA 58 served with the Royal Engineers from 1963 – 1997 and now been restored by Turrets and Tracks to 1970’s Cold War era. Today the Cent' AVRE is used as one of Turrets and Tracks’ centre pieces for the working displays. As you will discover, we attend several major events and shows in the East Anglia region
ARMAMENT
The Centurion AVRE is fitted with an Ordnance BL 165mm L9A1 demolition gun firing a 64lb charge projectile up to 2000yds. This charge is equivalent to six rounds of 120mm HESH ammunition from a Chieftain MBT. 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 coaxial .30in browning mounted along side the main gun. 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.
Centurion AVRE at Woodton fete
ENGINE
The Centurion AVRE is fitted with the Rolls Royce Mk 4BH 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 powering the turret.
Centurion AVRE (rear veiw)
Centurion AVRE displaying its power and capability whilist digging a tank emplacement use to hide main battle tanks in a hull down position leaving the the turret only vunable to enemy fire.