Just saw a short news story about the last centurion tanks that have been retired from the IDF reserve this week, 42 years after they have first arrive.

42 years Wow! Well the Centurion proved to be a good buy for Israel.
I wonder if the other versions of the Cent have been retired too?

Mark

It sounds like any version of the Centurion would be appropriate to model for IDF. Are there any kits that would be most suitable for IDF? Which after market parts?

Hi. 42 years service speaks well for the inital design of a vehicle. Very well indeed.

The Centurion (whatever grade or mark), is something that needs sorely addressed by the major model makers out there.

Take care, sgirty

The good news is that, according to the Industry news board over at TrackLink, trumpeter is to do a Centurion, no information on Marks or whatnot but I can't wait.

Happy Modelling

Oh Lord, please make it´s true!

That goes duble for me Paulo A few years back Academy was supposed to come out with a Ben Gurion version but never did Now is there any type of Sherman variant still in use over there? #:-) (++)

the british army still use's a beach armored recovery variant of the centurion.
i think its plainly obvious that the centurion was probably one of the finest and most important afv's ever produced.
it has showed on numerous occasions it is a world beating tank, capable of threatening any opponent and usually coming out on top!
cheers
joe

well it's about 60 years old as It was no doubt on the drawing board in late 43/early 44
the royal engineers only stopped using them in the last 13 years so almost 50 years in british service and not to forget that it was the basis for the merkava and south african oilifont heres a picture of the kit AA do of the royal engineer version

The response to this post would seem to hold a message for the kit manufacturers who only seem interested in producing models of what I must politely refer to as German armour. (Or I get censored!!)

A good base model of a Centurion would give any manufacturer scope for several variants and probably better unit sales than some of the weird Teutonic devices that preoccupy their marketing whizz kids.

I have seen modellers claim that German armour offers much greater choice of colour schemes and options.....jeez you could build Cents till the cows came home and not have two the same.

Regards Dave

Heard AFV Club was doing a Mk 11 as well. Hopefully this trumpeter announcement won't deter them

oh boy them centurions really served the IDF well.wonder how much longer it will be before they retire them m-60's spares have to be getting scarce

The M-60 and M-48 chassis are still in use in the Isreali army and will be for some time. They form the basis for the Magach series, now up to No. 9 I believe. Not much is left of the original tanks except the hull and engine compartment and the engines are cheap and easy to build or overhaul. I think it will be a while before they are totally gone.

My brother was a Cent driver during the Cuban Missle Crisis, and right up until he was removed from reserve status, said that, if it came to to it , he'd trust his life to a up-gunned Centurion: it was simple, reliable, and as good as the crew inside...

He's got some great pics from his time in the Royal Dragoons... I'll nag him to let me post them.

All the best

Rowan

That information turned out to be a false. However I have since learned from three different sources that AFV Club are releasing a series of Centurions next year, one being the Canadian version.

The AFV centurions will be nice if they follow their standafd quality routine. there is however a nice AA kit on the martket actually several of them. as well as two new LEgend update kits for the existing Tamiya /Modelcraftkit.

Joshua Weingarten
IDF armour group

CENTURIAN,
Yes I have stocked up on the old Modelcraft?Tamiya issue of the Cent..Knowing that there was no other choice if you wanted one. Trumpeter has been hit or miss , so Im not crying that hteir plans have been canceled. Now AFV on the other hand would be a deffinate purchase going on their reputation and quality. Accurate Armor and Legend, and AEF have released some really nice conversions for the Cent, but kind of pricey. A modern kit , to todays standards is long over DUE and I would be pleased to have one available.

I would love to see a cent. Always envisioned doing one coming out of an LCT during the Suez Crisis. Even if we only get one maybe Accurate armour could do what they did with the Cromwell and produce lots conversions.

I'd like to see a really good base kit come out that all the different MAufacturers can base their kits on ,Instead of having to buy very expensive whole resin kits that won't Jive with another companies molds.

May be you guys should email to DML, suggesting them making one!
Just tell them the Cent is the ONLY MBT that has been serving in Hong Kong, and as a Hong Kong based company, they should do one!

hi

being a ex crew member of Centurions until 1987 then uptill recently looked after one i love this tank.

well it has now completely left British service but not in the world still in use & is still being modernized has we speak. south africa just for one.


if the manufacture who has been mentioned does finaly bring the model out next year it should be very good seeing i helped with all the information & measurements.

long live the Centurion.
what was good about it. easy

easy to repair, good armour or can be uoarmoured,could be modernized & crews loved them because they were simple to use but a nightmare to maintain.

ossie