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This vehicle is not currently on display at the Museum
The Centurion tank came into service in late 1945. Early versions of the gun tank were converted to simple recovery tugs when the better armed Mark 3 was introduced. The tugs were themselves then used as the basis for the REME built Centurion ARV Mark 1. These were rushed into production during the Korean War (1950 to 1953). In the meantime the Ministry of Supply and the War Office were slowly developing the official ARV version of the Centurion which became the Mark 2 and was introduced, after extensive trials, in 1956. Some Mark 2s used the hulls of former gun tanks or tugs but most were newly built as ARVs. The Centurion ARVs consisted of a basic tank hull with a box-like superstructure in place of the turret. This accommodated the winch and a separate winch engine, a Bedford in the case of the Mark 1 and a Rolls Royce B80 in the case of the ARV Mark 2. The Mark 1's winch was mechanically driven but in the Mark 2, the winch engine powered a generator giving electric power to the winch. The cable emerged from the back of the winch housing and a rear mounted spade gave stability whilst winching.
By the early 1960s most Mark 1 ARVs had been replaced. Some Mark 2s survived in service into the early 1990s.
The second ARV is a gutted hulk, externally complete, and serves as a ‘gate guardian' at Prince Philip Barracks, Bordon.
Length |
8.87 m (29 ft 9 in) |
Width |
3.39 m (11 ft 11½ in) |
Height |
2.83 m (9 ft 6 in) |
Weight |
45 tons |
Winch |
30 tons capacity - direct pull |
Engine |
Rolls Royce designed Meteor 12 cylinder petrol |
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Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 24 July 2004