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Welcome to my suggestion for the Centurion Mk 1 (20mm Polsten). I couldn’t believe this hadn’t already been suggested, so here we are.
Introduction
The development of the Centurion began in 1943, as a response to the immediate threat posed by German heavy tanks, such as the Panther and Tiger. British tank doctrine at the time relied on cruiser tanks for mobility and infantry tanks for protection, but neither could effectively match German armour in both firepower and survivability. Interim, improvised solutions, such as the Challenger and Sherman Firefly were adopted, but a purpose-built solution was needed. To address this, the General Staff issued specifications for a new heavy cruiser tank, designated A41, which combined thick, sloped armor with a 17-pounder gun, and, potentially most importantly, abundant capability for future upgrades. The earliest designs and prototypes, designated P1 - P-15 (later only P1 - P10), incorporated a Polsten 20mm cannon as a secondary armament for engaging lightly armored vehicles and infantry. Vickers-Armstrong was chosen to lead the project, and despite wartime resource constraints, the first prototype was completed in early 1944.
Production of the first ten prototypes was carried out under wartime urgency, with the goal of deploying them to mainland Europe. By February 1945, these vehicles were undergoing final assembly. The Polsten 20mm cannon, initially included for additional firepower, was mounted in the turret but was later deemed unnecessary and removed in subsequent versions. By April 1945, the first six Centurion prototypes were shipped to Belgium for field trials, but with the war in Europe ending in May, they did not see combat. The remaining four were completed shortly thereafter and used primarily for evaluation and refinement of the design.
The main difference between these P-series prototypes and the production standard vehicles is a 2.25 inch (57mm) thick upper front plate, as opposed the 3 inches (76mm) on a production Mk 1 Centurion. This will have a significant gameplay implications, with the hull being easily penetrated by Tigers and Panthers, potentially warranting a drop in BR to something like 5.7.
Although the Centurion narrowly missed action in World War II, its development continued into the postwar period, benefiting from the lessons learned during the war. The refinement of the Centurion from these initial prototypes led to its adoption in 1946, setting the stage for mass production, export, and continued improvements that would keep it in service until the present day, 80 years since the first Centurions rolled on to the assembly line. The early A41 prototypes, despite their limited operational use, laid the foundation for one of the most successful tank designs of the 20th century.
Specifications
Images
Sources
Spoiler
The Centurion Tank, Bill Munro, 2005, The Crowood Press
Centurion (A41) Main Battle Tank (MBT)
Operation Sentry - The First Centurion Trials 1945 - Tank Encyclopedia
