Aussie Centurion 169091

[Paul S.]

I'll second that!

She's a beauty.

[xa-coupe]

I'm always willing to come and take pics

[Peter Laidler]

I recall another funny little episode with these Centurions............ One of the Gun Fitters called 'Scouse' Heaton was standing on the upper decking faffing around with the turret stowage bins that were always getting bashed around while one of the welders - I think it was 'big fat' Taffy Bills was arc welding something else at Scouses foot level. Well, seeing the steel horseshoe type rim at the heel of his old fashioned army boots stood on the steel decking of the track-guards AND the tank was already earthed, big-fat Taff did no more than gently arc weld the steel heel rim of Scouses boot to the track guard while he was doing his metal bashing to the turret stowage bin.

Well, that's what you do when you're all just twenty or so isn't it...........? Scouse went to shuffle around a bit, only to find himself tack-welded to the tank amid hoots of laughter!

Oh yes Scotty........ I'd forgotten about those front CTC fire extinguisher handles. They were always getting kicked, bent and battered by the crews scrambling about over the tank so most of ours had an extra plate, extended out over the top by about an inch or so just to protect them

Two Alpha, Two Alpha - this is Zero............ Radio check over.......

[PScott]

What about this Scotty........

Next time you get it out, what about a really nice big high definition 3/4 front photo that we can download and use as a screen saver. Centurion - the gentle giant with the heart of an ox.

Two Alpha...... Two Alpha, - Zero over.

Hello Zero. This is Two Alpha - Go ahead, over

---------- Post added at 10:06 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:01 PM ----------

I decided to completely strip the drivers compartment. All fittings and instruments will be removed. The wiring will be cleaned up and some damaged looms replaced.
The compartment will be needle gunned and then completely re painted.
I have a new drivers switch board to install as well.

Tim Vibert had a brand new instrument panel , there was only ever "1" issued with the Cent spares. I have previously tried to aquire it from him many times, but always NO. Just recently he agreed to part with it for my restoration...so a THANKS to Tim Vibert..

The instrument panel is one of the rarest Cent items to locate..

Pics of the start..

[xa-coupe]

I would LOVE to climb all over that and have a look. Would also take some pics

The restoration is a credit to you.

[PScott]

I would LOVE to climb all over that and have a look. Would also take some pics

The restoration is a credit to you.

No problem..... if ever your near East Gippsland in Vic, your most welcome to pay a visit..

[CINDERS]

I have a sealed 2 vol set of Bruce Camerons "Cannister! On! FIRE! Australian Tank Operations in Vietnam I have not opened it and may never do that but wonder if 169091 is mentioned in there as from what my B/in law said the Cent's did a good job there as the terrain was not terribly suited to tanks.

I do not profess to know much on Vietnam and for obvious reasons do not ply my B/inlaw for info only accepting it if offered did the VC field any armour I am guessing they could/may have been Russian T-34 85's possibly but just understand this I do not have much subject matter on Vietnam, but I hear the American Ontos "meaning Thing in greek I think" with the 6 recoiless rifles and beehive rounds fairly gave them the VC curry in close quarters.

And not being too political as I have already been smacked by admin our troops got an appaling reception from the crowds on their return to Australia and it took many years for the poor buggers to get the recognition they deserved and the Korean vets as well the one we call the forgotten war and I truly hang my head in shame as to how you were all treated, I was not the one booing you rather cheering you.....

[PScott]

These few pics are of David Hay..... He was the Loader .
During the the battle of Binh Bah the turret was penetrated by an RPG and David was wounded..it was David's fist sighting of his old Cent since the Vietnam War..

[Peter Laidler]

The old instrument panel shouldn't be difficult to strip down to component form and rebuild as it was all done by the CET's (the Control Equipment Techs). Calibration of the speedo was done at the Instrument shop and calibration bay. But calibration was really just a formailty in the great scheme of things! It was all 50's take-apart-to-fix stuff. Have you got the EMER? Let me know when you need info.........

Cinders. Cant understand your thread (distinct lack of punctuation......) but the poms had about 6 (or was it 8?) Centurions in store in Johore in Malaya but that's where they stayed. They weree taken out once a year and fired up and shot out to sea as a jusy-in-case measure. The roads and bridges there simply wouldn't take the weight but so said, they were to prevent another fall of Singapore!

The Poms were doubtful - or impressed, depending on your point of view - about the use of Cents in SVN and sent some observers out from the UK to see them in action and how they fared in order to change the doctrine in case we had to do the same. I asked one of them to phone my mum up when he got back to England and he did

[xa-coupe]

No problem..... if ever your near East Gippsland in Vic, your most welcome to pay a visit..

Thank you, I may well be out that way in the next few weeks. If I do, I will shoot you a PM.