Vespid is at it again with a stunning release of 1/72nd scale kits, on this occasion we take a look at the Centurion Tank Mk5/1 as in use with Australian Forces in Vietnam.
The kit has options of unreinforced stowage bins or reinforced ones and different front trackguard arrangements. These reflect essentially ‘pre-1970’ and later mods. Care is needed to get the right combinations.
Box top incorrectly shows the smoke grenade launchers fitted with replacement trackguards - these went long before the fender/trackguards were replaced.
Markings
Option1 ; 169096 at Bin Ba. This did not have the reinforcing on the stowage boxes, had original (but usually damaged) track guards. The mantlet cover had the opening in the side and had the search light mount rail fitted. This is in the kit, but you will need to cut it down and modify the 3D mantlet to fit it. The smoke grenade launchers were not fitted. The actual vehicle:
Option 2: 1971. A well discussed vehicle name… This vehicle had the replacement trackguards and reinforced bins. I am aware of only 3 photos of this vehicle, all from the rear.
Option 3 - 1968 vehicles had all original fittings. This is the most viable option out of the box… Original track guards and fenders, unreinforced stowage boxes. When first embarked in Vietnam they still had the ‘bazooka plates’ on the sides, but these were first to go. The smoke grenade launchers were retained for a while, but after many were torn off, they were all removed.
Option 4. 169108. This vehicle is better known by its barrel Callsign “The Very Diabolical”, which is noticeably absent from the kit decals. Replacement track guards, reinforced stowage bins. It also had a camo pattern on the turret bins at one stage. It also had the searchlight rail and opening in the canvas mantlet cover.
Option 5: This vehicle had the replacement track Guards and did not have all of the reinforcing on the stowage bins as depicted in the kit. These reinforcing sections were not fitted in a universal way - they did differ vehicle to vehicle, so some will need to be removed:
Also the mantlet cover had prominent flaps that went around the barrel at the join:
The kit instructions say paint the mantlet cover “Sail Color” - definitely not plain canvas like they suggest.
The kit supplied a rack of water jerry cans which held the water for the tank radiators. The instructions show them stored upright, whereas these were usually stored on the sides as shown in pics above and this one:
Great added information bud.
