Vanguard Centurion Universal Tank 1943-2003 Osprey Books

From 1943 the British began the design of a model that bore distinct similarities to the German Panther tank. Designed as a Universal Tank, the design emerged in mid-1945 as the Centurion, but it was just too late to see action, although a number of prototypes did arrive in Germany before the end of the war. It featured the heaviest available weapon, the 17 pdr, but such was the strength of the design that it was soon upgunned with a 20 pdr and subsequently the superb L7 105 mm gun. It was in this guise that Centurion saw its widest service, most notably with the Israeli Defence Forces. The Centurion was fundamental to the success of the Israeli offensive in the Sinai during the 6-Day War of 1967 and equally so to the defence of the Golan Heights in the October War of 1973. Centurion also fought with distinction with several other armies including the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971; with the Australian Army in Vietnam from 1968-1971 and with the South African Defence Forces in their various campaigns against neighbouring factions. It is still in service with some armies, most notably as a gun tank in South Africa and in specialised versions with the IDF. It was last used in action by the British Army in 1991 during the Gulf War, having first been blooded by the British during the Korean War in 1950 and subsequently during the Suez Campaign of 1956.