waaspoils Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Hi all not sure if this is the right place to post this question, but I am always amazed with the depth of knowledge on this site, I picked up a bronze model of a tank, this is cast in three pieces, turret, body and base, but it was the engraved plaque that I found interesting, LEYLAND PROJECT 159 SEPT 1951- FEB 1953 TO P.G.FAIRHURST ESQ. I assume that this is a Centurion tank, any help would be greatly appreciated regards Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RattlesnakeBob Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 certainly looks like a Centurion to me ....a right interesting little nicknack either way ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Wonder if it was based on the original concept drawing or a very early protype? How did you come by it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 (edited) The dates would fit in with the Korean war - maybe a modification to the Centurion? Maybe the Mark 3? According to Wikipedia, design work on the Mk7 concluded in 1953. Edited September 2, 2013 by Lauren Child Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted September 2, 2013 Share Posted September 2, 2013 Looking more likely "Mk 7 (FV 4007): 20-pdr armed, barrel fitted with fume extractor, designed by Leyland." from http://armouruk.net/centurion.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waaspoils Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Many thanks for the replys, do you think only the recipients of the model would have known what PROJECT 159 would have been, as I can not find any mention of this on the web or would this be on record somewhere. Tony B, I bought this at an antique fair at Donnington yesterday regards Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Could be worth contacting Bovington, or even BAE's records. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussie Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 I'd think it's a Centurion Mk1, based on the 2 square hatches on the turret and the smaller round commanders cupola. These had a rolled steel turret and a 17 pounder with no fume extractor (these show as a bulge about half way down the barrel) and Besa machine gun. Later Marks had a cast steel turret with the round commanders cupola but only one rectangular hatch. Mk 2 had the 17 pdr and Mk 3 the 20 pdr "A" barrel (no fume extractor). Later marks the "B" barrel with the fume extractor and extra armour plate on the glacis, etc, etc. Leyland motors took over design parentage early 1950's and the Mk 7 was introduced in '53/54, so I'm guessing that Project 159 had to do with development of the Mk 7. However the model tank still looks like a Mk1 and not any later Mk - seems reasonable that they would make trophies with the first Mk. A couple of pics of my Mk 3 with "A" barrel - great fun but VERY thirsty! James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waaspoils Posted September 3, 2013 Author Share Posted September 3, 2013 Hi James, that seems a very plausible answer, many thanks, and how lucky are you to own a Mk3, it looks in pristine condition regards Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 Very nice indeed James, will make a nice pairing with the Saladin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Child Posted September 3, 2013 Share Posted September 3, 2013 That is a very nice tank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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