Littlefield Collection Centurions

[jdmcm]

Does anyone know the history of either of the Littlefield Centurions? I think Jim said the Mk 5 was the tank that used to reside in Crown Surplus in Calgary, does anyone know more? Service history?

blackberry April 2014 231.jpg

And the Centurion said to be a Mk 13? Does anyone have any information about that tank or its origins?

LC14_r0055_01.jpg

Any information would be greatly appreciated

[45jim]

The MK V came from Crown Surplus along with a Churchill Crocodile. The rumor (or story) goes that the Centurion was purchased from Suffield as scrap and the owner of Crown Surplus acquired it in exchange for storage of several vehicles. Many surplus (and non-MK V) parts were attached to the tank while on display in his museum. It was sitting right beside the Churchill which (again rumor) was originally brought over from Pounds Shipyards for the Calgary Regiment as a Dieppe monument. It was left in the care of Crown and after some time elapsed it was sold to Littlefield along with the Centurion.

The other Centurion looks to from British stocks as the only modified late mark Centurion in Canada was kept at LETE (Ottawa) and went to the war museum and sits in Lebreton Gallery. The others were disposed in Europe. No hush-puppy tracks either, pretty sure all CDN modified Centurions had the rubber padded track.

[Dianaa]

There is a rumour that one of the Cents is from Swiss Army stocks with a 105mm barrel and not the 20 pounder of the Aussie Brit/Cents

[jdmcm]

Interesting, it does seem that the Mk5 does not run and not even sure if there is an engine it like many of the vehicles, so that would fit with Jim's information that it was scrap from Suffield, the later Mark with the 105 was moving about when we were there in April. I appreciate the feedback, any other info would also be greatly appreciated.