The service lives of Comet lB, and Centurion 5/1, overlapped for some 3 years from 1955 - 1958, in the British army. Were there any instances where both tanks served/fought in the same theatres at the same time?
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Yes.
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Korean war Comet, Churchills and Centurions
The Rabbit
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Certainly the Comet equipped the regiments of the Royal Armoured Corps post-war, nearly in every theatre: BAOR, Middle East, and the Far East.
As Centurion was introduced, just remember that the introduction of any new kit is phased; perhaps a squadron’s (company’s) worth at first, then a steady trickle of new equipment. It is not as straightforward as one might think. Crews have to be trained, but so do the fitters (REME in the British Army), and then the QM has to take charge of all parts and spares (there may even be a dedicated Stores Section to effect all this). Officers too have to go on courses. Everything has to be inventoried, even the old kit which will be back-loaded. It is not a task for the faint-hearted and will take many months of hard work – work up exercises and the like - before a newly equipped unit is declared fit for role.
So, essentially, “Yes” there would have been an overlap. Operationally, ie combat, then everybody will bust a gut to make it all work, no matter what kit is where.
It can take some considerable time before a theatre’s equipment includes all of the new tank (Chieftain replacing Centurion for example in the British Army of the Rhine).
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Notice I specified Centurion 5/1. I don’t think that one existed during the Korean War!
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Can you elaborate when and where both the Comet and Centurion Mk 5/1 fought (or served) at the same time?
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In various forms, South Africa.
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Note that the overlap service period of these two tanks was between 1955 - 1958. Besides possibly Berlin (where they didn’t fight, but did serve), were there any theatres during that period where they actually did see action.
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The tanks that served in Korea were Cromwells, Centurions and Churchills. No Comets.
The Regimental unit was equipped with 4 squadrons of 64 Centurion Mk III 20 Pounder with the Recce Troop having 6 CROMWELL Mk VII.
For a brief time, C Sqn of 7RTR was equipped with 16 Churchill Mk IV Crocodile Flamethrowers with the flame guns removed.
Comets were stationed in Hong Kong at the time and photos of these are often incorrectly stated as being in Korea.
As to the initial question of a Centurion 5/1 servicing at the same time as a Comet, the answer is no. The latter were phased out well before the /1 upgrade program was introduced. If I recall correctly, the /1 added designation was a reflection of the upgrades, primarily the IR equipment introduced in 1965.
At best, a Centurion mk 3 may have served in the UK army, at the same time of the Comet, but unlikely in the same unit.
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Thanks for a good answer. 
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Upps, ok. I did not read Mk 5/1 in the first question.
I am planing on building a Centurion MkIII wreck in Korea, so I was searching the last month pictures of the Korea war, and a few stated Comet Tank in Korea… Now I know it better, thank you
Rabbits
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i seem to remember seeing a documentary on YouTube that stated one type of vehicle was about to be captured by the north Koreans and so another British tank was sent out to destroy it.
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Quite possibly Centurions, but not Mk 5’s.
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I remember reading that it was a Cromwell captured by the Chinese which was engaged by a Centurion from a defensive position, and that this was the Centurion’s first actual tank vs tank engagement. Naturally the Centurion won.
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