Hi Brian
i take it you have not got my book called the Shortest Gap which tells you what you need to know but to answer your question here is the text regarding 105mm AVREs, they came about because of mine ploughs and new tactics.
Secondly we tended not to tow Giant viper often has we had to change the main tow hook on Centurion 165 and add a adaptor plate and smaller tow hook supplied with Giant Viper
Centurion AVRE, Mk.12, 105 mm
In July 1984, at a Weapons Equipment Policy
Meeting, a paper called Armoured Engineer
Mobility Vehicle (AEMV) mentioned a requirement
of 29 AVRE 105 mm to carry out mine plough
duties until a Chieftain replacement could be
found. However, only 20 Centurions Mk.12s have
been found at the time of writing, plus one Mk.13.
This single Centurion Mk.13, 04CC85, was the test
tank used at Bovington for User Trials.
The mine plough proved viable to use, but it was
restricted in its cross-country performance as the
mine plough would ground out (dig into uneven
ground). This was later resolved using what
were called tie backs which held the main mould
boards up, lifting the tines preventing them
digging into the ground. They would normally be
stowed at a different angle – more horizontal than
vertical. This gave more ground clearance and
was released by a quick release mechanism from
the driver’s hatch, letting the mould boards drop
to a vertical position prior to ploughing. The aim
of the mine plough was not to blow up mines, but
to push them aside. Due to fact that that the soil
was on the move some metres in front of the tank,
any mines that detonated did so harmlessly.
At the time of the Equipment Policy Meeting, a
paper called Armoured Engineer Mobility Vehicle
(AEMV) was being written. Already, former
Artillery Observation Post Centurion Mk.12s were
being modified to AVREs. The Mk.12 105 mm
AVREs were only issued with HESH ammunition
to facilitate demolitions, if required.
There were three types of Centurion Mk.12 used
Centurion AVRE, Mk.12H, 105 mm
This version was a reworked Centurion Mk.12
gun tank to meet the same standards as the 165
mm AVRE, equipped with the Rolls Royce Meteor
Mk.4BH engine. A hydraulic pump was installed
on the Centurion engine to facilitate the operation
of the dozer blade, through its hydraulics were
identical to that fitted to a AVRE 165 mm. The
necessary pipework for fitting and operating a
dozer blade was also included. Additionally, an
AVRE 7½-ton towing hook was fitted at the rear
to enable the towing of an AVRE Trailer, or Giant
Viper, along with electrical sockets. It was also
equipped with a power socket for a mine plough,
which was its primary role.
Moreover, a Fascine Cradle was installed to carry
and deploy Pipe Fascines, as required by the
battlegroup. Some of the 105 AVREs had a new
gun crutch fitted at the centre of the rear hull to
allow the turret to be square when carrying a
fascine. There was no means by which the rear
turret basket could be stowed on the gearbox
decks, like on a 165 mm AVRE.
Registration numbers
AVRE, Mk.12H, 105 mm
There were nine known vehicles converted:
42BA46 42BA48 42BA65
42BA92 44BA12 44BA14
44BA17 44BA47 84BA87
Centurion AVRE, Mk.12, 105 mm
These Centurion Mk.12 gun tanks were covered
under the name ‘Operation Post’. They had the
mine plough electrics added as well as mounting
points for the mine plough fitted. IR headlights
were also removed. On some, the headlights
were fitted to the top of the normal headlight
brush guards.
There seems to have been nine known AVRE
Mk.12, 105 mm used:
42BA27 42BA32 42BA60
42BA67 42BA99 43BA28
43BA84 44BA14 44BA29
Two Centurions Mk.12s were used as Driver
Trainers at Bovington, with no modifications:
43BA09 43BA71
On 14 July 1984, it was decided that a replacement
for the Centurion AVRE, deemed inadequate
for operational requirements, had to be found.
Technical advice indicated that the Centurion
AVRE would exceed its useful life by 1991.
Therefore, an Armoured Engineer Mobility
Vehicle would be required by this date to replace
the Centurion AVRE
the pictures in the book shows the differences between the two 105mm AVRE
they kept hesh and used it in same way 165 was used.
hope it helps ossie
)
I honestly thought I had over done the brown wash on it! Again thank you for the comments and likes
nothing like an actual tankie (ossie) to put us right is there