Centurion tank image

The Centurion, introduced in 1945, was the primary British main battle tank of the post-World War II period. It was a successful tank design, with upgrades, for many decades. The chassis was also adapted for several other roles. Development of the tank began in 1943 and manufacture of the Centurion began in January 1945, six prototypes arriving in Belgium less than a month after the war in Europe ended in May 1945.It first saw action in Korea in support of UN forces.

In the 60's Britain needed money to develop the chieftan tank so many obsolete centurions were sold to Israel where it was renamed Sho't or Scourge/Whip in English. The Israeli version of the Centurion earned its legendary status during the Battle of "The Valley of Tears" on the Golan Heights in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Less than 100 Centurion tanks of the 7th Armor Brigade defeated the advance of some 500 Syrian T-55s and T-62s. The Sho't became a legend in the Israeli armed forces.

The centurion was also used in nuclear tests by the Australians. A centurion was left 500 yards from the epicentre of an atomic bomb. After detonation it was found 5 feet away from it's original position with antennas, lights, side skirt armour and the cloth gun cover destroyed. The engine which had been left running was off because it had ran out of fuel. Aside from that it was in one piece and could be driven from the site of testing (Emu Field).