CRUISER TANK (A41) CENTURION Mk. III

CRUISER TANK (A41) CENTURION Mk. III
Image: Centurion Mk. III (IWM)
Year1948
Vehicle TypeMedium Tank
Origin & DesignerBritain/Vickers, Leyland & Royal Ordnance Factories
Numbers Produced2.833
Crew4 (Commander Gunner, Loader 7 Driver)
Main Armament1 x OQF 20 pdr L/66.7 Gun
Main Armament[@sponson_traverse]
Elevation-10° to +20°
Turret Traverse360° (Powered)
Gun Traverse[@gun_traverse]
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
Maximum Range[@maximum_range]
Armour Penetration[@armour_penetration]
Gun SightNo. 43 ML Mk. II
Secondary Armament2 x 7.92mm Besa Machine Guns
Smoke Discharger2 x 6in Smoke Mortars
Ammunition Carried64 x 83.8mm & 3.375 x 7.92mm + 12 x Smoke
Height3.01m
Width3.39m
Length7.82m
Combat Weight50.728 kg
Ground Clearance0.51m
Fording Depth1.43m
Trench Crossing3.30m
Obstacle Clearance0.91m
Climbing Ability60°
RadioNo. 19 Set
ArmourHull Front: 76mm.
Hull Sides: 51mm.
Hull Rear: 51mm.
Hull Top: 13mm.
Hull Bottom: 17mm.
Gun Mantle: 200mm.
Turret Front: 165mm.
Turret Sides: 112mm.
Turret Rear: 112mm.
Turret Top: 30mm.
EngineRolls Royce Meteor IVB
Transmission5 Forward & 2 Reverse
Maximum Road Range102 km
Maximum Cross Country Range[@maximum_cross_country_range]
Maximum Water Range[@maximum_water_range]
Maximum Road Speed34 kph
Maximum Cross Country Speed24 kph
Maximum Water Speed[@maximum_water_speed]
Variants[@variants]
NotesThe Mk. III mounted the more powerful 20 pdr main gun, this had fully stabilizing gun controls allowing for firing on the move. A new gun sight was introduced along with a new engine. Once the Mk. III started in full production it replaced the Mk. I and II as the main battle tank and saw action in Korea.