±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 496
Total: 496
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Photo Gallery
02: Community Forums
03: Community Forums
04: Community Forums
05: Photo Gallery
06: Downloads
07: Statistics
08: Home
09: Member Screenshots
10: Photo Gallery
11: Photo Gallery
12: Community Forums
13: Community Forums
14: Home
15: Home
16: Home
17: Photo Gallery
18: Member Screenshots
19: Community Forums
20: Home
21: Home
22: Home
23: Photo Gallery
24: Community Forums
25: Community Forums
26: Community Forums
27: Photo Gallery
28: Photo Gallery
29: Community Forums
30: Photo Gallery
31: Photo Gallery
32: Community Forums
33: Community Forums
34: Home
35: Photo Gallery
36: Home
37: Community Forums
38: Statistics
39: Photo Gallery
40: Downloads
41: Member Screenshots
42: Photo Gallery
43: Photo Gallery
44: Community Forums
45: Photo Gallery
46: Treasury
47: Community Forums
48: Home
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Community Forums
52: Community Forums
53: Home
54: Statistics
55: Downloads
56: Member Screenshots
57: Photo Gallery
58: Photo Gallery
59: Downloads
60: Downloads
61: Home
62: Downloads
63: Home
64: Downloads
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Downloads
68: Community Forums
69: Photo Gallery
70: Photo Gallery
71: Home
72: Home
73: Photo Gallery
74: Home
75: Member Screenshots
76: Community Forums
77: Community Forums
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Home
81: Community Forums
82: Community Forums
83: Community Forums
84: Home
85: Home
86: Community Forums
87: Photo Gallery
88: Home
89: Member Screenshots
90: Downloads
91: Photo Gallery
92: Community Forums
93: Home
94: Home
95: Home
96: Photo Gallery
97: Community Forums
98: Home
99: Member Screenshots
100: Community Forums
101: Home
102: Member Screenshots
103: Photo Gallery
104: Member Screenshots
105: Photo Gallery
106: Member Screenshots
107: Photo Gallery
108: Home
109: Community Forums
110: Photo Gallery
111: Home
112: Home
113: Photo Gallery
114: Downloads
115: Photo Gallery
116: Community Forums
117: Photo Gallery
118: Photo Gallery
119: Downloads
120: Community Forums
121: Photo Gallery
122: Community Forums
123: Downloads
124: Home
125: Downloads
126: Community Forums
127: Home
128: Home
129: Community Forums
130: Home
131: Home
132: Photo Gallery
133: Community Forums
134: Photo Gallery
135: Downloads
136: Photo Gallery
137: Downloads
138: Photo Gallery
139: Photo Gallery
140: Photo Gallery
141: Community Forums
142: Home
143: Your Account
144: Community Forums
145: Community Forums
146: Treasury
147: Community Forums
148: Home
149: Home
150: Community Forums
151: Community Forums
152: Home
153: Photo Gallery
154: Community Forums
155: Home
156: Home
157: Community Forums
158: Home
159: Downloads
160: Photo Gallery
161: Photo Gallery
162: Home
163: Photo Gallery
164: Member Screenshots
165: Downloads
166: Photo Gallery
167: Community Forums
168: Community Forums
169: Home
170: Member Screenshots
171: Community Forums
172: Home
173: Downloads
174: Home
175: Home
176: Home
177: News Archive
178: Downloads
179: Downloads
180: Photo Gallery
181: Photo Gallery
182: Photo Gallery
183: Photo Gallery
184: Photo Gallery
185: Photo Gallery
186: Photo Gallery
187: Home
188: Home
189: Community Forums
190: Home
191: Home
192: Community Forums
193: Home
194: Community Forums
195: News
196: News
197: Member Screenshots
198: Member Screenshots
199: Home
200: Member Screenshots
201: Member Screenshots
202: Photo Gallery
203: Community Forums
204: Home
205: Member Screenshots
206: Downloads
207: Your Account
208: Community Forums
209: Community Forums
210: Home
211: Community Forums
212: Community Forums
213: Community Forums
214: Home
215: Community Forums
216: Photo Gallery
217: Member Screenshots
218: Photo Gallery
219: Photo Gallery
220: Member Screenshots
221: Downloads
222: Home
223: Member Screenshots
224: Photo Gallery
225: News
226: Community Forums
227: Home
228: Community Forums
229: Photo Gallery
230: Community Forums
231: Downloads
232: Photo Gallery
233: Statistics
234: Photo Gallery
235: Downloads
236: Photo Gallery
237: Home
238: Home
239: Community Forums
240: Community Forums
241: Community Forums
242: Photo Gallery
243: Photo Gallery
244: Photo Gallery
245: Member Screenshots
246: Downloads
247: Photo Gallery
248: Member Screenshots
249: Search
250: Community Forums
251: Member Screenshots
252: Home
253: Photo Gallery
254: Home
255: Statistics
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Photo Gallery
259: Member Screenshots
260: Member Screenshots
261: Photo Gallery
262: Downloads
263: Community Forums
264: Community Forums
265: Community Forums
266: Community Forums
267: Community Forums
268: Community Forums
269: Community Forums
270: Community Forums
271: Member Screenshots
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: Home
275: Member Screenshots
276: Photo Gallery
277: Downloads
278: Downloads
279: Statistics
280: Downloads
281: Home
282: Community Forums
283: Member Screenshots
284: Home
285: Member Screenshots
286: Home
287: Community Forums
288: Community Forums
289: Community Forums
290: Community Forums
291: Community Forums
292: Home
293: Community Forums
294: Community Forums
295: Member Screenshots
296: Photo Gallery
297: Statistics
298: Photo Gallery
299: Downloads
300: Downloads
301: Home
302: Member Screenshots
303: Home
304: Member Screenshots
305: Community Forums
306: Statistics
307: Home
308: Home
309: Home
310: Home
311: Home
312: Community Forums
313: Home
314: Photo Gallery
315: Community Forums
316: Photo Gallery
317: Photo Gallery
318: Photo Gallery
319: Photo Gallery
320: Member Screenshots
321: Home
322: Home
323: Community Forums
324: Community Forums
325: Home
326: Community Forums
327: Home
328: Community Forums
329: Community Forums
330: Downloads
331: Home
332: Home
333: Community Forums
334: Photo Gallery
335: Member Screenshots
336: Statistics
337: Photo Gallery
338: Photo Gallery
339: Home
340: News Archive
341: Home
342: Member Screenshots
343: Photo Gallery
344: Home
345: Home
346: Downloads
347: Community Forums
348: Community Forums
349: Member Screenshots
350: Photo Gallery
351: Photo Gallery
352: Home
353: Photo Gallery
354: Photo Gallery
355: Photo Gallery
356: Photo Gallery
357: Home
358: Community Forums
359: Community Forums
360: Home
361: Downloads
362: Community Forums
363: Community Forums
364: Home
365: Home
366: Photo Gallery
367: Photo Gallery
368: Photo Gallery
369: Member Screenshots
370: Photo Gallery
371: Photo Gallery
372: Home
373: Community Forums
374: Community Forums
375: Home
376: Home
377: Home
378: Community Forums
379: Home
380: Community Forums
381: Photo Gallery
382: Downloads
383: Community Forums
384: Community Forums
385: Home
386: Photo Gallery
387: Photo Gallery
388: Photo Gallery
389: Photo Gallery
390: Member Screenshots
391: Home
392: Home
393: Home
394: LinkToUs
395: Home
396: Home
397: Home
398: Community Forums
399: Photo Gallery
400: Photo Gallery
401: Member Screenshots
402: Photo Gallery
403: Photo Gallery
404: Photo Gallery
405: Home
406: Community Forums
407: Photo Gallery
408: News Archive
409: Community Forums
410: Community Forums
411: Community Forums
412: Member Screenshots
413: Photo Gallery
414: Photo Gallery
415: Photo Gallery
416: Downloads
417: Home
418: Community Forums
419: Community Forums
420: Community Forums
421: Community Forums
422: Community Forums
423: Community Forums
424: Community Forums
425: Community Forums
426: Community Forums
427: Photo Gallery
428: Member Screenshots
429: Downloads
430: Photo Gallery
431: Downloads
432: Photo Gallery
433: Community Forums
434: News
435: Home
436: Photo Gallery
437: Community Forums
438: Member Screenshots
439: Community Forums
440: Photo Gallery
441: Photo Gallery
442: Photo Gallery
443: Downloads
444: Photo Gallery
445: Photo Gallery
446: Member Screenshots
447: Community Forums
448: Community Forums
449: Downloads
450: Photo Gallery
451: Home
452: Photo Gallery
453: Home
454: Home
455: Photo Gallery
456: Community Forums
457: Downloads
458: Community Forums
459: Photo Gallery
460: Downloads
461: Community Forums
462: Member Screenshots
463: Member Screenshots
464: Member Screenshots
465: Community Forums
466: Photo Gallery
467: Photo Gallery
468: Downloads
469: Photo Gallery
470: Home
471: Home
472: Home
473: Photo Gallery
474: Photo Gallery
475: Home
476: Downloads
477: Photo Gallery
478: Photo Gallery
479: Photo Gallery
480: Community Forums
481: Downloads
482: Photo Gallery
483: Home
484: Home
485: Community Forums
486: Home
487: Photo Gallery
488: Photo Gallery
489: Member Screenshots
490: Photo Gallery
491: Member Screenshots
492: Photo Gallery
493: News Archive
494: Community Forums
495: Community Forums
496: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Old Centurions in a field?
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Larso
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:50 am
Post subject: Old Centurions in a field?

I've had a look about but I can't find anything on this.

I'm wondering whether any of the Australian armies centurions are still sitting about in a field. I recall reading about them in the newspaper years ago (there was a picture too), with I think the mention that some had been sold off to farmers as tractors (without their guns). But then at the end of last year I saw a doco on the ABC I think, about a Vietnam crew that were reunited quite recently and as part of their 'catch-up' they went to this same field and found their old tank still there. The point of the story was that the one crewman had been terribly wounded in action in that tank and after evacuation and recuperation came home and went about his life - never speaking to his former crewmates until the story.

Anyway, this show ('Australian Story'? - there was also a car racing sub-plot to it as well - I think one of them was injured in a crash?), seemed quite recent and I was wondering whether anyone knows anymore about this field and whether it still has any Centurions?

_________________
Formerly of 2/14th Light Horse
Back to top
View user's profile
Dennis_Smith
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Mar 17, 2006
Posts: 192

PostPosted: Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:10 pm
Post subject: Re: Old Centurions in a field?

Hey Larso,

Here's a link to the story:

www.abc.net.au/austory...411828.htm


Last edited by Dennis_Smith on Tue May 08, 2007 10:04 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile
Larso
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:20 am
Post subject: Re: Old Centurions in a field?

Thanks Dennis!

This is a quote from the transcript of that story -

BILL BARLOW, VIETNAM VETERAN: All our old Centurion tanks were up there at a place the other side of Albury out on this farm. And, actually, the tank that we were in when we got hit by this RPG, it was up there too. And so it was just great going up there and seeing this tank and where it had been hit and, yeah, there was a lot of nostalgia attached to it all. But the main thing is just meeting up with all the old crew members again and just becoming friends once again.

I'm going to try to find the article that I read in the paper - hopefully it'll be on the newstext site.

John

_________________
Formerly of 2/14th Light Horse
Back to top
View user's profile
Larso
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:01 am
Post subject: Re: Old Centurions in a field?

Well I had no luck with the old newspaper articles but I did find the following relevant web pages (providing I've done the cut & paste thing properly) -


Fri, May 06, 2005 The Border Mail By Howard Jones

MOST of the 132ha sold to Abacus has not been needed for the military since about 1986.
The former Pearces farm south of Pearce St was compulsorily acquired in 1940 and became part of the Central Ordnance Depot, later 311 Supply Battalion.
Large sheds accessed by standard and broad-gauge railway lines were laid out on the site.
About 100 redundant Centurion tanks were stored on the land until sold in 1989.

Larso: This is a very interesting site which contains advice about buying and restoring Centurions : www.raeme.net/spt.php?...nts&item=1

He concludes with –
OK! What should you pay for a Centurion.
• Excellent Condition$45,000-$50,000
• A Good Runner$30,000.
• A Fair Runner (blowing smoke)$16,000 to $20,000.
• A Gate Guard$8,000.

These are the opinions of a chap that cannot afford a gate guard. Good luck. I do know where most of the Australian Centurions are, 124 out of 143. I also know the condition of most of them and have driven a heap. If I can be of any help to anyone in any way please contact me.
Regards Col

(Larso: I’ve written to him to enquire if any of those Centurions are still there and available. Below is an article by the man himself.)

About Col Filtness
My name is Col Filtness and I am an old Centurion driver from the early 50's. I decided to drive to Puckapunyal to view the Tank Museum, as I only live 20 minutes away in Kilmore. The trop was great and I was surprised to see so many Cents around the place. On the way home I started to wonder where my old tank was 169007. As time went by, (about 24 hours) I decided to start looking for it. I hoped to find between 12 and 20 Centurions, in fact I found 120 odd from a possible 143. This I found astounding. Then to find some running still and in some cases better than when they were in service, was also surprising.
I was surprised to discover a few and thought I should write it all down in a notebook with serial numbers and locations. From this it grew to taking photos, which meant in a lot of cases, revisiting many I had found. From there it progressed to maybe writing a book as I was finding so much of interest to me that I thought others may like to share it. This soon came to an abrupt halt as the quality I wanted made the book worth about $400 a copy. No one would be interested in anything I had to say for that price.
So I decided to go the computer C. D. way. This meant I could do the lot myself, and most people today have a computer so it would appeal to a wide range of people. The cost of paper and ink plus binding went out the door to be replaced by some CD's, some printer ink and a few CD labels. Lots cheaper. I could also burn them myself. From here it just snowballed. People started to assist me, a couple of friends traveled with me over thousands of miles to look at and photograph tanks taking about ½ hour and then driving home again. But I could not have done the miles without their company and help.
I found it hard to imagine the people I was meeting. Nothing was to much trouble, no one would take any money for expenses, and I mean people supplied me with their tank for a drive would not take anything for fuel, I have been offered accommodation and meals from people that I have never met, one chap gave me the keys to his farming property, as he had to return to Sydney after two days, with the instructions that when I wanted to leave, just lock up and switch off the gas. And if I was ever up in the Snowy Mountains, I knew where the key was and I was welcome to just call in and stay, if there was no one around I knew where the key was! Not bad for a bloke I met via email and had never met till two days before.
The search used the email a lot and people started to email me with information of where they had seen or thought there were Centurions. I found that places that were out of bounds to me were suddenly becoming available. People connected with the Army and the Museums were bending over to assist me and its with out a doubt that they all helped the CD not only be finished but to be as good as it is. At this point I will point out that to me it was a labor of love, and I enjoyed every minute of the search. But after reading and viewing the CD about one thousand times, I did start to wonder just what sort of impact it would have on the people that were paying good money for it. The results were well beyond my highest expectations.
When I was still in the book form I was asking people to supply stories, photos and information, with the rider that I would not sell the story to make money for myself. By the time I was into the CD stage I knew it would have to be offered for sale as there was no way I could cover the costs myself, which up to this time it had been considerable. I was then stumped as my original idea said I would not make money from it. Some people suggested I just sell it to cover my costs, but I had no idea what the costs were and was afraid to sit down and try and work it out, so that was a no go.
Now when I first started on the story I found that no one would let me climb onto or into their Centurions. You cannot imagine, in your wildest dreams, how badly I wanted to sit in that seat again. But the insurance worry was the stopper and I could not complain. I t was at this time I rang the Vietnam Veterans Museum at San Remo, asking if I could photograph and enter their Centurion. Permission was granted and so my association with the museum and many Veterans started. I then decided to offer the CD to the Museum so they could sell it and raise some money for the new museum they are building. This gave me an out let of sale as well, and as I was not handling the cash I felt I was keeping my word to the people who in the early stages gave me assistance. So I burnt some Master Disks and presented them to the Museum complete with a computer, and set it up so they could have it running for anyone that wanted to see it.
The search of course led me to the Vietnam War and I started to meet many Vets who shared their stories and photos with me, which opened up a whole new area. As I had visited Vietnam I was aware o f some of the feelings, the heat, the people, the country and the villages, so the stories were very special to me as were the photos, and I started to get some understanding of what the Vets endured, enjoyed and hated about their tours. For someone that was too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam, it was a privilege to meet and talk to and be accepted by these people.
I am now working on a website, where I hope to put a lot of the information and photos for all to see. Just have to workout how to do it.
Col Filtness

Larso: One at least is still going strong -

Ever wondered what it would be like to be in the turret and command a massive 55 ton Centurion Battle Tank? Here’s your chance to experience the Rolls Royce engine roaring into life before your skilled driver has the tank thunder over undulating terrain while you enjoy the action.
Firstly you will explore the interior of the tank and see how the four man crew used to operate. Only two passengers travel at a time with the driver/instructor. You’ll climb up into the turret then the massive machine sets off. The V12 petrol engine is the same type that powers the Spitfire and Mustang fighters. You will travel over a special course, up and down hills and over undulating terrain.
Venue:
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.
Valid For:
1 person
Guidelines:
You must be able to climb into the turret.
Numbers:
There are only 2 passengers in the tank at any one time.
Weather:
This experience may be cancelled in heavy, continuous rain conditions and will be rescheduled at a later date.
Session Length:
The session will last approx 20 min, which includes a vehicle familiarisation and history.
Extra Info:
Please booked around 3 to 4 weeks in advance of preferred date.
This experience voucher is valid for six months from date of purchase.

Price: $125

_________________
Formerly of 2/14th Light Horse
Back to top
View user's profile
Shadow_Banshee
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Feb 03, 2005
Posts: 575

PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:22 pm
Post subject: Re: Old Centurions in a field?

members.tripod.com/bat...ank_page_1

_________________
Lay me place and bake me Pie
I'm starving for me Gravy
Back to top
View user's profile
Larso
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 09, 2007
Posts: 9

PostPosted: Mon Apr 16, 2007 6:39 am
Post subject: Re: Old Centurions in a field?

Mr Fitness has written back to me and there are still a few Centurions still there -

Hi John, Just about all are now gone. I believe there are about 7 left and the going price last time I spoke with the owner was $50000 each.
There is one for sale at Cowra for $35000 with a lot of spare parts. This is owned by an ex RAEME mechanic and is in very good order and runs well. Has a tooth missing off the rhs final drive but hje has a complete reconditioned final drive in his shed for it. The guy, Bruce Holt is a nice fellow and his price is the best available at the moment and I feel it will also best in the future. There have not been many available in the last 12 months and a sale at Dandenong museum blew the price right over the top. Hope this is some help to you. You may wish to see my site on Centurions, if so the address is below and I also have 4 CD's for sale. Regards Col

Col Filtness www.centurion-mbt.com

_________________
Formerly of 2/14th Light Horse
Back to top
View user's profile
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 6 Hours



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum