Centurion Mk 5 Series 2
1-87 World Tanks Depot Vehicle Review
1-87 World Tanks Depot offers its Centurion main battle tank as the “FV 4011 Centurion Mk 5 Series 1”, which should actually be armed with an 84 mm “Ordnance QF 20-pounder” tank gun. In reality, however, it is an upgraded “Centurion Mk 5 Series 2” equipped with the 105 mm “Royal Ordnance L7” tank gun, introduced in 1959 and also used in the US M60 “Patton” main battle tank and the German Leopard 1.
Contents
- Centurion Mk 5/2 Main Battle Tank
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject, the 1-87 World Tanks Depot Centurion Mk 5/2 main battle tank replaces the antique ROCO Centurion Mk 5/2, which has been unavailable for quite some time.
The 1-87 World Tanks Depot Centurion Mk 5/2 comes fully assembled and painted. According to the manufacturer‘s website, 1-87worldtanksdepot.com, their models are made of resin and low-melting-point metal, specifically “mainly lead”, meaning primarily toxic lead. Apparently, both the hull and turret of the Centurion are cast from a lead alloy. The turret is screwed onto the hull, but it can be rotated.
The gun mantlet is incorrectly depicted as a flat armour plate, in which the coaxial machine gun is only indicated by a hole. To be able to aim the gun, however, a proper gun cradle would be required, complete with the rain cover typical of contemporary battle tanks, and a separate, armoured machine gun mantlet.
The spare track links on the front glacis and the stowage box at the rear of the turret are missing. The technical specifications mention “6 Bomb Throwers”, which presumably refer to the twelve smoke grenade dischargers (2 × 6) which should be mounted in two box-shaped assemblies in front of the forward stowage boxes on the turret. At that very location, the model only shows two semicircular attachments that are more reminiscent of searchlights.
The proportions of the tank model are correct. The hull is slightly taller, but the turret is significantly flatter than that of the ROCO Centurion Mk 5/2 of the same scale, making the two models obviously incompatible. Given a choice, it is better to opt for the true-to-scale model from 1-87 World Tanks Depot, or at least use incompatible Centurions in separate tank units.
Compatible with HO scale model railway equipment and miniatures by Faller, Märklin, Noch, Pola, Preiser, and ROCO.
The fully assembled and painted Centurion Mk 5 Series 2 main battle tank from 1-87 World Tanks Depot is great for wargamers who want to get started immediately.