Centurion main battle tank

Developed just too late to serve in World War II, the British Centurion main battle tank (MBT) was in production for 17 years. It remains in service in declining numbers.

The basic design proved amenable to increases in gun power and armor protection. The original 76.2-mm gun was superseded first by an 83.4-mm weapon and later by the 105-mm L7 rifled gun.

The L7 gun has been equipped on virtually every significant Western tank and is an important reason for the Centurion's...