Hobby Master 1:72 Ground Power Series HG3507
ROF Centurion Diecast Model
Israeli Defence Force 10th Armor Bgd, Samaria, 1967 |
| 1:72 Scale | | Length | | Width |
|---|
| ROF Centurion | | 3.75" | | 1.75" |
It wasn't long after the country of Israel was established in 1948 that the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) realized the importance of armored forces. The IDF bought any surplus WWII armor they could acquire and ended up with a very mixed inventory. Israel's Arab neighbors were acquiring Soviet made T-54/55s that were superior to anything the IDF had. In 1959 the solution was to obtain the British built Centurion Mk.II that had thicker armor and offered better protection. This also allowed for the upgrade to a larger gun replacing the British 20 Pounder (83.4mm) with the British L7 105mm gun. The IDF also replaced the Commander's 7.62mm machine gun with the U.S. built 12.7mm M2 machine gun. The Israeli's named the modified tank the Sh'ot (whip) and when the Six Day War started in June 1967 the IDF had 385 Centurions tanks and 294 of them were the Sh'ot. During the Six Day War the IDF tanks played a major role and coordinating with other units the IDF pushed to the East Bank of the Suez and gained control of the Sinai Peninsula within 3 days. During the war Israel captured 30 of the 44 Centurion tanks owned by Jordan.
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 2003-2025 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 2003-2025 The Flying Mule, Inc.
