Centurion AVRE and Trailer

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Hello chaps,

After careful consideration, and marvelling at the blog photos, I have put my deposit down on a Cent. Sadly this means my boxed Panther G kit, plus extensive detail parts collection will have to go...

Much as I love ARVs as working model subjects, the Cent ARV Mk2 is just too similar mechanically to the M32B3 and BergePanther to float my boat.

So I am going for a FV4003 Mk5 AVRE and FV2721a AVRE Trailer. Several months of research will be needed with visits to the few viewable examples . Only 40 AVREs were converted from gun tanks, so there seems to be quite a few one-off mods recorded. Aim to get a working dozer and fascine cradle incorporated. The trailer is a scratchbuild so the first task will be coming up with acceptable 1/6th 14.00x20 Run Flat tyres with banana tread pattern. Oh joy!

Will share what I find and hope to glean what I can here.

Cheers, Fabrice

[Adrian Harris]

Sounds like an epic project

You need to keep an eye out for the Centurion AVRE episode of "Salvage Squad" - that should give you some eye-candy.

Adrian.

[Robin Hinson]

Fabrice,

The Series of the Salvage Squad featuring the Centurion AVRI as Adrian has mentioned can be found on U TUBE, Just type Salvage Squad on your search engine and up it pops.

Hope this helps and Regards

Rob

[Fabrice Le Roux]

Adrian,Rob,

Many thanks! I have a DVD copy of the programme somewhere, probably in storage. I also have a VHS on "AFV Techniques" featuring Cents, sadly this is not available on DVD at present.

Actually I am going for a BAOR 70s-80s vehicle in green/black, but as there were only 40 AVREs made, one cannot be picky about sources for real measurements.

Does anyone know when the spoked idlers were replaced with the six-hole dished type? There seems to have been an issue with the orignal design failing.
The first of many, many questions!!

cheers, Fabrice

[Adrian Harris]

> one cannot be picky about sources for real measurements.

There used to be one sat on a bank at Duxford, but you'd need to become a "friend", as it's 17 quid to get in and I don't think it's an annual pass like Bovington.

Adrian.