antarmike Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 (edited) Several books claim that AEC Southall were given the task of assembling the first Centurion/ developing the Centurion. AEC's publication, "Contribution to Victory" makes no mention of Centurion. For those who don't know, this was a promotional booklet, detailing AEC's part in winning the war. I have asked questions in the AEC Society Gazette, (when I was a member) asking if anyone could confirm AEC's role in early Centurion (A41) development. No-one came forward with any form of a reply. (AEC society has quite a few ex employee's in its ranks. so I was hopeful). Can anyone on this forum, confirm, or deny that AEC piloted Centurion into production? Edited February 26, 2009 by antarmike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisg Posted February 26, 2009 Share Posted February 26, 2009 Bill Munro's book states that AEC were chosen as the design parents and AEC made a mild steel hull as a test bed for the engine,transmission & suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antarmike Posted February 27, 2009 Author Share Posted February 27, 2009 A,J. SDmithers "Rude mechanicals" has AEC as the builder of the first A41, Jane's World Armoured Fighting vehicles Christopher Foss has AEC as being involve in 1944 , and claims the first mock up was completed that year, It says six prototypes were then built, . The A41 became centuion 1, A41A became Centurion 2 with a 17 pounder. But doesn't go as far as saying whether AEC built the 6 prototypes in addition to the mock up. The illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Vehicles Hogg/ Weeks says the spec was laid down in Feb 1944, The mock up made by May 1944 and 20 pilot models were ordered, the first 6 production amchines were rushed out to Germany in May 1945. This book dates the Mk2 to 1946. It lists the makers as Associated Equipment Co (AEC) Southall, Leyland Motors Ltd, ROF at Leeds, and Vickers, Elswick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 27, 2009 Share Posted February 27, 2009 According to Simon Dunstan, AEC only built a mobile test bed hull with no turret to prove the mechanical design. They had a hand in the suspension design though that was in essence a modified Horstmann system. Horstmann was with Vickers Armstrong. All the prototypes were built by the ROFs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.