Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3506
ROF Centurion Diecast Model
Australian Army 1st Armored Rgt, Vietnam, 1971 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| ROF Centurion | | 3.75" | | 1.75" |
The Centurion tank was a late entry into WWII as a means to counter the German Tigers and Panthers. In 1950 the Australian Army purchased 127 Centurions of which 4 were bridge-layers. However with the outbreak of the Korean War all Centurions went to British regiments involved in the conflict. As a result the RAAC (Royal Australian Armoured Corps) received its first Centurion tanks in February 1952. Of the 127 tanks 96 were allotted to the 1st Armoured Regiment and the remaining 21 were strictly for training and not to leave the country. Initially they were Mk. IIIs but were later the 92 belonging to the 1st Regiment were modified to full Mk. V standards. The upgrade saw the addition of supplementary armor on the glacis plate, the main gun system improved, a 50 calibre Browning ranging machine gun and an infrared night fighting equipment. In addition a 100-gallon armored fuel tank was attached to the rear hull plate but it soon was realized they were a fire hazard if hit by a shell or bullet. More modifications were carried out in the filed. The side skirts were removed because mud and debris would build up and the track guards were replaced with heavy gauge steel plate. They also welded the storage racks to the back of the turret to carry ammunition or radio equipment so the tank could communicate with the infantry soldier. The four 1st Regiment bridge-laying tanks received the additional armor. The Centurions remained in RAAC service until 1977 when they were replaced by the Leopard.
The first half of the tanks from the regiment's C Squadron arrived in Vietnam in February 1968. It wasn't until August that the second half of the Centurions arrived. Until 1971 the 1st Regiment dozer tanks worked at clearing mines while on several occassions the Centurions were called upon to defend Australian fire support bases against enemy attacks. Some operations saw the regiment's tanks providing enoromous fire-power to hold back Viet-Cong forces when trapped infantry platoons were located and rescued. The 1st Regiment had three squadrons, A, B and C with the first two each doing a one year tour of duty in Vietnam and C Squadron doing two. In 1971 the Australian government began a reduction in their commitment to the Vietnam War and gradually began a withdrawal that saw C Squadron return home in September that year. During its tour of duty in Vietnam 1st Armoured Regiment was involved in many altercations including some very historic battles such as Fire Support Bases (FSB) Coral and Balmoral in May 25 – 30 1968, Long Dien August 21 – 22 1968, Hat Dich February 16 1969, Binh Ba June 6 and 7 1969, Long Hai February 17 – 18 1970.
Delivered in 1949, the British Centurion Tank was also purchased by the Australian Army and the armed forces of many other nations. The Centurion first entered combat in 1950 during the Korean War. Its standard 105mm L7 main gun was supplemented by a heavy caliber anti-aircraft gun, a coaxial gun and ananti-infantry gun. Powered by a V12 Rolls Royce Meteor petrol engine and weighing in at over 50 tons, the Centurion's road speed was an impressive 34 Kilometers per hour. Its success was primarily due to its thick armor-equal to the heaviest infantry tanks-and cross-country performance superior to even the early cruiser tanks. © Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
Hobby Master's 1:72 scale Centurion tank is constructed with a blend of diecast metal and plastic, with plastic used to achieve maximum detail and a discreet internal weight added for a heavy feel. The 360 degree rotating turret is made from finely detailed plastic and has a pivoting metal cannon. Side-mounted equipment storage boxes, spare track, smoke grenade launchers and machine gun are separately attached. The lower portion of the hull is constructed in metal, and the plastic top portion features a detailed front driver's hatch and side-mounted tools. The unique externally-mounted Horstmann suspension is clearly seen inside the tracks and on the bottom of the model.
© Copyright 2003-2013 The Flying Mule, Inc.
The Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" range presents detailed, ready-made diecast models of military vehicles.
Hobby Master "1:72 Ground Power Series" diecast vehicles feature:
- Diecast metal construction with some plastic components.
- Rotating turret, elevating cannon and accurate hull.
- Painted, fitted, non-moving tracks on detailed non-rotating wheels.
- Realistic panel lines, antennas, access panels and surface details.
- Pad printed markings and placards that won't fade or peel like decals.
- Clear acrylic display case to protect model.
© Copyright 2003-2026 The Flying Mule, Inc.
