Centurion Arrives in BC

[Dennis Cardy]

The Aldergrove Star published this "exclusive photograph".
One the left.. Bob Long of Langley Council.
Centre...Joslyn Young from CN
Right.....Major (CF) Ian Newby.

As a side note, maj. Newby supplied all the Uniforms, weapons, and military vehicles for the very first Rambo movie.

[Ed Storey]

OK, I will bite, what is the proof that this particular Centurion had combat experience in Korea?

[Ed Storey]

I just read the online news reports for this tank and someone really needs to get their facts straight. Both the Aldergrove Star and CTV are misreporting that this is last surviving tank with combat experience from the Korean War - which it is not. Also please note that the articles imply that Canada used Centurion tanks in Korea, which we did not.

It is nice that the tank has been shipped from one end of the country to the other but all the bluster, fanfare and chest pounding has resulted in the facts behind this AFV being misreported to the public. Please, now is the time to correct the errors before they become ingrained into the public lore.

[jdmcm]

Oh that Newby...what a scamp!

[rob love]

I had a look on Shelldrakes list of Nova Scotia monuments, and by blowing up the photo of what I believe to be this tank, the CFR appears to be 52-81190

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by rob love

I had a look on Shelldrakes list of Nova Scotia monuments, and by blowing up the photo of what I believe to be this tank, the CFR appears to be 52-81190

According to ramtank.ca there was no CFR 52-81190 but there was 52-81090 which I think that CFR actually is. The tank was a part of the second group of Centurions purchased all of which were sent to Canada.

Did anyone ever get a photograph of the actual vehicle?

Cheers,
Dan.

[Ed Storey]

Much like media and enthusiast reports, the trouble with CFRs painted on gate guardian vehicles is you can never be too sure about their accuracy. Perhaps the vehicle still has its brass data plate mounted on the inside of the hull as this will have both the CFR and the British WD number.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

According to ramtank.ca there was no CFR 52-81190 but there was 52-81090 which I think that CFR actually is. The tank was a part of the second group of Centurions purchased all of which were sent to Canada.

Did anyone ever get a photograph of the actual vehicle?

Cheers,
Dan.

There is a fair gap between the two "ones" in the CFR, but the second one does not have the oval shape of the other zero on the photo. But it may well be what Ed says, that somebody interpreted the numbers incorrectly and applied them.



Did they stamp the CFRs on the hulls of the Centurions like they did to the ferrets or the M series vehicles? I can't check because the only centurions near me are the swiss cheese examples that are on the ranges.



The news story mentioned that this tank was dropped at the legion in time for remembrance day. Is that it's permanent location or is it heading elsewhere?

[James P]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

I just read the online news reports for this tank and someone really needs to get their facts straight. Both the Aldergrove Star and CTV are misreporting that this is last surviving tank with combat experience from the Korean War - which it is not. Also please note that the articles imply that Canada used Centurion tanks in Korea, which we did not.

It is nice that the tank has been shipped from one end of the country to the other but all the bluster, fanfare and chest pounding has resulted in the facts behind this AFV being misreported to the public. Please, now is the time to correct the errors before they become ingrained into the public lore.

Seems the media just running with what they are told and the yarn spun about the tank, as they say if you are going to tell a story about bears.........have LOTS of bears in it.