Author Topic: Centurion MBT (Read 4960 times)

Diana · « **on:** November 27, 2013, 11:09:16 PM »

50 Ton ex-Australian Army Centurion MBT

Mike C · « **Reply #1 on:** December 05, 2013, 11:53:27 AM »

169026, no less.

There are those (not including me) few individuals that seem to take exception to a 'Centurion' being called an 'MBT' (Main Battle Tank), and to undervaluing its weight by a couple of tons. About 50 sounds close enough to me in general discussion! Beats a 42.4 tonne Leopard in the weight stakes if nothing else.

Mike C

Diana · « **Reply #2 on:** December 05, 2013, 03:59:53 PM »

Hi Mike,

There are others including at least one website on the series who use the MBT constantly. Have also heard the definition reading the "M" as Medium i.e. Medum Battle Tank, which would make the Stuart a Light Battle Tank (LBT) but have never heard that.

My perspective is that I'm neither an expert, nor take exception to its use or otherwise.

I just love the above image with Col in the drivers seat!

Diana

13bravo · « **Reply #3 on:** December 05, 2013, 04:48:22 PM »

Tanks are normally categorised as light, medium or heavy. MBT or main battle tank is usually medium or heavy multi role tanks
in the RAAC both leopard and cent were classed as MBT despite there weight differences to my knowledge there is no universal system of categorisation so its a bit hard to be wrong

http://military.wikia.com/wiki/Tank_classification

Mike C · « **Reply #4 on:** December 06, 2013, 03:29:51 AM »

Yes, it is a fine picture of a notable old veteran (the tank, not the driver, ..... well, maybe the driver too....!)

Interesting you should define MBT as Medium Battle Tank (rather than the more usual Main Battle Tank): The 'Medium BT' was a term that was used in some (few) official Aust publications, and in reference to Leopard AS1 no less(!), so as 13B says, no hard and fast rules with this one.

As I said, I do not take exception to the description Centurion MBT one little bit, but there are those that have. I was involved in an exchange on the subject on another forum: its just a pity the respondent was not better informed about both the Australian official nomenclature for the Centurion, nor the extent of the official use of the abbreviation 'MBT' with regard to Centurion during the last several years of its service. You can take a horse to water but.....

Mike C

afvaus · « **Reply #5 on:** December 08, 2013, 04:19:57 PM »

Thank you Mike,I'm not totally sure how to take that??? sadly you're probably right on both counts though,as usual!!!
That was the delivery drive before it made its way back down south