Centurion External fuel tank

[David Skeldon]

Hi,
Anybody got the basic dimensions of the fuel tank fitted to the rear of some Cents?




David

[Stephen White]

David

I have some dimensions which might help (all dimensions in mm):

Top plate: 1560 x 820
Bottom plate: 1560 x 463
Vertical dimension normal to the plane of the top and bottom plates: 615

You'll have to extrapolate the sides but a good starting point is that the front face of the tank was parallel to the top rear plate of the hull. The original was constructed of 5/8th inch plate which translates into approx 2.5mm at one sixth. I've sourced my plate from these people, who will cut to order and provide a very fast and reliable service:

http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/

The external tank was very necessary given the relatively thirsty Meteor engine. They didn't really fix the problem until the Mark 7s came along with an extended rear hull housing an extra internal tank. In Vietnam there was at least one example of "friendly fire" from a .50 MG penetrating the external tank and causing a fuel fire. Not very encouraging for the crews but the alternative was to have a fuel bowser to hand, which was often difficult and certainly not welcome during an engagement.

Once I've done the driver's hatches, I'll start on the external tank. It's going the make the Cent one of the longest of Armortek models. Hope that doesn't create too many transport challenges.

Good luck with it.

Stephen

[David Skeldon]

Hi,
Thanks for that.As to length try one with an eight and half foot bridge on top.


David

[Stephen White]

Glad to be of help. Funny but I thought you'd use the bridge as a spoiler on the back of the car. Stephen