Later versions would see this upgraded to a more powerful 95mm howitzer type. The Centaur IVs would make a contribution to the D-Day landings in June of 1944 and some time afterwards as well.Īt its core, the base Centaur III mark sported a 57mm (6-pounder) main gun. The definitive combat Centaur IV followed soon after in equally limited numbers and were fitted with 94mm howitzers. These initial systems were held in reserve as trainer tanks while the Centaur III systems came online, these mounting a 75mm main gun and appearing in very limited quantity. ![]() Fitting the tank with a Liberty brand engine also did not solidify the design in anyway as the engine was deemed too under-powered and unreliable to the competing Rolls-Royce Meteor types found in the Cromwell.Įven so, the Centaur I appeared from production in June of 1942. Unfortunately, such was not to be as the Cruiser Centaur system effectively carried over the limiting traits of the previous attempt. With the design of the failed Cruiser Tank Mk VII Cavalier series under its belt, the Leyland Motors company set to bring about a redesigned variant with the designs issues seemingly ironed out. The system would primarily suffer from an inadequate engine, limiting production and thusly its usage en mass. The Centaur would prove to be a stop-gap design that would never fulfill its potential, being withdrawn from service by war's end. ![]() The Centaur grew into a very similar design when compared against the Cromwell, though the two would see very different histories develop. The Centaur series of British combat tanks was a product of Leyland Motors and developed alongside the competing Cromwell series of tank and built to the same specifications.
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