Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 02:38 AM UTC
I just got the 1/72 Ace Models Centurion Mk 5. This kit:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/ACE-1-72-Centurion-Mk-5-British-Main-Battle-Tank-72426/1794767045?iid=332639409964 The kit comes with two gun barrels: a 20 lb w/ fume extractor, and another (also 20lb?) without fume extractor. If I use the latter barrel would that make it a Mk 3, or are there other visible differences between the two?
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 03:00 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The kit comes with two gun barrels: a 20 lb w/ fume extractor, and another (also 20lb?) without fume extractor.
Early 20 pdrs came without, later ones with bore-evacuator.
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 03:35 AM UTC
England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: May 13, 2010
KitMaker: 53 posts
Armorama: 52 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 03:46 AM UTC
Some clarifications
The only difference between a Mk3 and a Mk5 is the presence of a ranging co axial MG on the Mk5, that is it, the main armament does not define the variant
The pic of the one at Latrun (above) is an Ex Dutch army vehicle that never entered IDF service.
MJH
Wien, Austria
Joined: March 09, 2016
KitMaker: 2,408 posts
Armorama: 2,300 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 03:55 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The pic of the one at Latrun (above) is an Ex Dutch army vehicle that never entered IDF service.
Good to know, thanks for the clarification! According to the capture, 'large number of Centurion Mk.5s equipped with the 20 pdr gun and Meteor petrol engine were purchased during the second half of the 60s' - so all these had the later type 20 pdr with bore-evacuator?
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 05:56 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Quoted Text
The pic of the one at Latrun (above) is an Ex Dutch army vehicle that never entered IDF service.
Good to know, thanks for the clarification! According to the capture, 'large number of Centurion Mk.5s equipped with the 20 pdr gun and Meteor petrol engine were purchased during the second half of the 60s' - so all these had the later type 20 pdr with bore-evacuator?
The 20 Pounder barrels (A Type- without fume extractor) or (B Type- with fume extractor) were interchangeable with a swap occurring fairly quickly if need be. It would likely depend on what types of barrels were on hand.
A display tank could have simply had a barrel that reached its lifespan mounted as it would never be fired again.
Canadian Centurions Mk. 5s could be seen with A and/or B Type barrels until they were retired in the 1970s...as well as the 105mm L7 for the Mk6 and Mk11LRs.
"We're not the public service of Canada, we're not just another department. We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people."
July 2005- General R.J. Hillier (Retired), Former Chief of the Defence Staff
Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Joined: January 11, 2009
KitMaker: 673 posts
Armorama: 286 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 07:49 AM UTC
...and what about the position of the loaders hatch? Isn‘t that the difference from Mk3 to Mk5?
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 07:50 AM UTC
No, it is not.
They began being rotated parallel for mid-production tanks, regardless of mark.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
Quebec, Canada
Joined: January 01, 2004
KitMaker: 7,600 posts
Armorama: 6,110 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 10:33 AM UTC
So I can build this kit with the non-fume extractor barrel as a Mk 3 in service in Korea - 1951..1952?
Alberta, Canada
Joined: January 19, 2005
KitMaker: 4,085 posts
Armorama: 3,917 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 12:36 PM UTC
Quoted Text
So I can build this kit with the non-fume extractor barrel as a Mk 3 in service in Korea - 1951..1952?
Yes
"We're not the public service of Canada, we're not just another department. We are the Canadian Forces, and our job is to be able to kill people."
July 2005- General R.J. Hillier (Retired), Former Chief of the Defence Staff
United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 05:49 AM UTC
The loader’s hatch configuration changed to allow the breech ring to be extracted through the roof more easily as I recall.
Other common features which are often claimed to define a 5 against a 3 are the position of the loader’s periscope and the trackguard bin design. Like all tanks with long production runs, these and the change from Type A to Type B 20pdr barrel are just evolutions with no change of designation.
You could turn a Mk 3 into a Mk 5 in a matter of hours by switching the co-ax.
Nordjylland, Denmark
Joined: January 30, 2006
KitMaker: 613 posts
Armorama: 508 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 06:37 AM UTC
For many years it has been a course of debate here in Denmark weather we received Mkiii or Mk5 Centurion tanks (some even claim we received war beaten samples with holes from the Korean War).
All I’ve seen has the turned turret hatch, the periscope in front of the loader and the side operated boxes on the hull. In the beginning they had Besa guns.
Would it be fair the describe them as late model MkIIIs?
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 08:19 AM UTC
Quoted Text
So I can build this kit with the non-fume extractor barrel as a Mk 3 in service in Korea - 1951..1952?
You have to delete a return roller on each side as well. That was the one other difference between the marks.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
New South Wales, Australia
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 02:09 PM UTC
[quote]
Quoted Text
So I can build this kit with the non-fume extractor barrel as a Mk 3 in service in Korea - 1951..1952?
The Fender Stowage bins were different and the Loaders hatch position for most Korean war vehicles is in a different position. Some late Mk 3 were almost identical excepting the coax types
Colorado, United States
Joined: January 20, 2005
KitMaker: 7,219 posts
Armorama: 6,097 posts
Posted: Friday, May 31, 2019 - 03:01 PM UTC
Quoted Text
The Fender Stowage bins were different and the Loaders hatch position for most Korean war vehicles is in a different position. Some late Mk 3 were almost identical excepting the coax types
True, for most. But don't let the bins be a show stopper.
A strong man stands up for himself; A stronger man stands up for others.
Admit nothing. Deny everything. Make counter-accusations.
He is not Khan who calls himself Khan. Afghan proverb
United Kingdom
Joined: September 06, 2013
KitMaker: 1,112 posts
Armorama: 938 posts
Posted: Saturday, June 01, 2019 - 05:25 PM UTC
If it has a co-ax Besa, it’s a Mk. 3. So yes, you are correct.
