Centurion tank in the British Army

[Raider4]

Howdo all,

I'm hoping that someone here can give me a rough idea when the Centurion was finally replaced by the Chieftain in the British Army?

I'm assuming that Chieftain started to replace Centurion from the late 60's, so Centurion would be gone ... when?

Would Centurions still be around in reserve or TA units after the rest of the Army had gone over to Chieftain?

Thanks, Martyn
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[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

1945 until Suez, last ones produced in 1962, still  in service in some armies until the 90s...!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion_tank

[Sunray]

Issue of the FV4201 Chieftan began in 1967 - As a MBT the Centurion  was off the line by the end of 69. However, the Royal Artillery had a version  for FOOs that lingered a long time in battle groups.  And ofcourse the Royal Engineers had the AVRE (FV4003) and ARK well into the 70s.
At its peak with BAOR, the British Army had 700 MTBs.  The BARV (Beach Recovery and not strictly speaking a tank) was in use until the 1980's

In the post war era, the MOD had downgraded TAVR 'yeomanry' units from tanks to armoured cars such as the FV601 (Saladin)

Hope this helps.

Sunray Out

[Raider4]

Issue of the FV4201 Chieftan began in 1967 - As a MBT the Centurion  was off the line by the end of 69. However, the Royal Artillery had a version  for FOOs that lingered a long time in battle groups.  And ofcourse the Royal Engineers had the AVRE (FV4003) and ARK well into the 70s.
At its peak with BAOR, the British Army had 700 MTBs.  The BARV (Beach Recovery and not strictly speaking a tank) was in use until the 1980's

In the post war era, the MOD had downgraded TAVR 'yeomanry' units from tanks to armoured cars such as the FV601 (Saladin)

Hope this helps.

Sunray Out

Excellent. So, any time in the 1970's it's going to be a Chieftain.

Thanks very much, Martyn
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[Sunray]

Yes,  you might want the Royal Artillery FO with the Battle Group in a MK13 Cent and ofcouse the AVREs. The early Chieftans were a pain.  We called them the Smoky Joe's .  The multi fuel engine belched black smoke when revved.    Ah  .....happy days (and nights) in Osnabruck !

Sunray Out

[Raider4]

Yes,  you might want the Royal Artillery FO with the Battle Group in a MK13 Cent and ofcouse the AVREs.

Heh. Skirmish only really. It's more for a "If UNIT called for heavy support from the local army base to help deal with an alien incursion, what would come trundling down the road?" sort of scenario.

Now I know. Up to 1969 - Centurion. 1970-1985 - Chieftain. 1986 on - Challenger. Roughly.

Cheers, Martyn
--

[Sunray]

UNIT ?  Not good old Brigadier Leightbridge -Stewart ?  You always felt sorry for the new recruits - never surviived their first contact.
Gem Model railways do a good line in 1960s/70s Land Rovers .  The only Cent in 10/12 mm has the 20pdr, so is an early model.  When Leon and Dave start casting the Falklands British infantry in beret, you will be laughing. 
Happy gaming .

Sunray Out

[Lord Kermit of Birkenhead]

With any luck they'll do the Centurion at the same time.

IanS