1959: Dutch tank battalion with 54 Centurion tanks 8->
(http://www.thepostonline.nl/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/1nlcenturionbat.jpg)
More info here (http://weten.thepostonline.nl/2012/01/14/michiel-mans-met-wapens-nederland-en-de-centurion/#more-35644) (in Dutch).
662 of these were used. And really used as well, they were in service for 42 years! But hey, they were paid for by the Americans!
:-bd
Now there's a thing of beauty.
Anyone speak Dutch?
Nice!
's'OK Google's translated!
Going to have some Me time.
Brilliant!
:-bd
But in my half awake, bleary eyed state, first thing in the morning....I thought Olden had posted a pic of his tabletop.....I wondered why it was so monochrome !
Dearie, dearie me !
Cheers - Phil
;D ;D ;D
Phil - WAKE UP.......
Dutch Centurions lots of mods there - from vanilla Mk 5 to equivalent of Mk 13, but with 50cals.
IanS
Awww....Too loud Ian !
It's OK....I've woken up now. ;)
Cheers - Phil.
So I don't need to quote Zulu at you............"Take your bundle you dozy........"
To bloody 'ot to work.
IanS
Quote from: Techno on 12 July 2013, 09:49:21 AM
Awww....Too loud Ian !
Perhaps IanS is thinking that you live in a country with low English skills...
:d
Oooooh....."Meeeeow !!" ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Cheers - Phil
Nice one
IanS
Quote from: OldenBUA on 12 July 2013, 12:36:52 PM
Perhaps IanS is thinking that you live in a country with low English skills...
:d
Yes, Merseyside.
Oh you said country, not county
"really used as well, they were in service for 42 years!"
As in parked on a parade square and polished/washed/cleaned to death just to keep national servicemen busy or 'really used' as in 'used in anger'?
No, never used in anger. At least, not by the Dutch Army. They did see plenty of activity on exercises, though. Enough to make them rather unreliable at the end of their service life.
Also, since they were American property, they were duly returned to them (at least most of them) when they were replaced by Leopard tanks. Whereafter at least some of them found their way to Israel.
Bit late to pass over to Israel as were replaced by Leo II from early 80's. Even then the Dutch looked at a through refit to the Cents first. Saving was marginal with the offsets so went with new builds, for about 15 yrs.
IanS
Hi Everyone
After the British Army the next biggest purchaser of Centurions was the USA after seeing them in action in Korea they Purchased them for Nato Armies including Holland,Denmark and Norway? I am not sure about Belgium?
So You can have some cold war fun the danish still had Centurions as late as 1999 I think but in the late 80's they had 105mm upgraded(laser range finder Fire control system) and in reserve 20pdr armed Cent's
Martin
'bout right Martin. Belgium's took M47 rather than Cents. also used by -
India
South Africa (still used)
Egypt
Iraqi
Kuwait
and probably more.
IanS
I love it when you chaps talk Centurion.
Dont think Norway had any, mainstay of our tanks was the M-48 supplemented with the Leos from somewhere around mid 60s.
We ran a lot of marshal help stuff up to the early 90s as well..
Quote from: OldenBUA on 12 July 2013, 07:41:07 PM
Also, since they were American property, they were duly returned to them (at least most of them) when they were replaced by Leopard tanks. Whereafter at least some of them found their way to Israel.
That's the bit I like best - British tanks bought by the Americans to equip our European neighbours. Wonder if they'd like some Challenger IIs? ;)
Maybe you have some crusaders hanging around to share with us :P :P ;D ;D ;D