Facts on the Swedish Centurion versions

DESIGNATION, WEIGHT, SPEED, ARMAMENT AND MORE.

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Since the Centurion has seen service in Sweden for over forty years it not surprising that a number of modifications has been implemented. The Centurion of today is in many ways another vehicle than the ones aquired in the fifties and sixties. Here you will find out how they differ. You will also get information on the "supercenturion". The never realized Strv 105. By reading what a number of former or present cent-tankers has to say when asked to sum up the tank in one sentance you will learn how greatly appreciated the tank was and still is. Even by those with Leopard-experience.

The table below shows the basic differences between the versions that has seen service in the royal Swedish army.

Designation	British Designation	Weight	Engine	Tramsmission	Maximum speed	Main gun	Secondary armament	Ammo	Nightfighting equipment	Add on armor
Strv 81	Centurion Mk III or Mk III/V	52 metric tons	650 Hp petrol driven Rolls Royce Meteor	Merrit-Brown, 5 forward, 2 reverse	35 Km/h	20 Pdr or 8,4 cm	2 8mm Ksp m/39B	APDS HE HESH
Strv 101	Centurion Mk X		650 Hp petrol driven Rolls Royce Meteor	Merrit-Brown 5 forward, 2 reverse	35 km/h	10,5 cm L7	2 8mm Ksp m/39B	APDS HE HESH Smoke
Strv 102		52 metric tons	650 Hp petrol driven Rolls Royce Meteor	Merrit-Brown 5 forward, 2 reverse	35 km/h	10,5 cm L7	2 8mm Ksp m/39B	APDS HE HESH Smoke
Strv 101R			650 Hp petrol driven Rolls Royce Meteor	Merrit-Brown 5 forwars, 2 reverse	35 km/h	10,5 cm L7 Laser & ballistical computor	2 7,62mm Ksp m/39B	APDS APFSDS HE Smoke	2 71mm illumination round mortars
Strv 102R		52 Metric tons	650 Hp petrol driven Rolls Royce Meteor	Merrit-Brown 5 forward, 2 reverse	35 km/h	10,5 cm L7 Laser & ballistical computor	2 7,62mm Ksp m/39	APDS APFSDS HE Smoke	2 71mm illumination round mortars	Applique Steel to chassi front
Strv 104		54 metric tons	750 Hp Diesel driven Teledyne Continental	Allison Half-automatic 2 forward, 1 reverse	50 km/h	10,5 cm L7 Laser & ballistical computor. Thermal sleeve.	2 7,62mm Ksp m/39B	APDS APFSDS HE Smoke	2 71mm illumination round mortars	Applique steel to chassi front and explosive reactive armor over chassi & turret front

The Strv 105.

The Strv 105 A/T as its full designation was, was indeed a supercenturion. It had been modified with a french IRV-sight with monitors for the gunner and commander. This sight was supposedly better than the one in the new Leopard 2S or Strv 122. The turretdrive had been modified and adjusted for a smoother, more precise rotation. The commanders cupola was now powered by electricity and a hunter-killer system was added. The electrical system had been changed from the troublesome system in the Strv 104 to a much improved one.

A new suspension allowed the full capacity of the engine to be used, greatly adding to the tanks speed. A revolving turretfloor was added and was clearly better than the one in the Strv 101 which many thought less efficient than the lack of one as in the Strv 102 or 104. A new air cleaner system for the engine, a new hatch and seat for the driver are examples of less revolutionary, but still appreciated modifications. There was only one built and that is now to be seen at Axevalla armormuseum. The 105 was almost impossible to identify externally. The only easy thing to use for distuinguishing it from the 104 was the IRV-camera mounted by the gunbarrel.

The Centurion remembered

"- The 102R was both unreliable and imobile. Not very much more than a mobile pillbox actually. But the tanks had personality, they demanded a "Centurion feeling". The often experienced cooling water leakages, the burned clutches, the broken down auxiliary Morris engines or the thrown tracks... One almost misses it. The tank was a good shooter, accurate and quick firing. The 104 is a much better tank of course, more mobile, reliable and just as good a shooter. But the special sound of the Meteor engine and that special smell... Its a pity they had to go."

Former 102R platoon leader 31. Independant mechanized battalion.

"- Aged with dignity and its tempting to say that it improved with age as a good wine. But that would of course be to exaggerate a trifle."

Former 104 gunner 26. Armored brigade.

"- Hell of a good tank! Resilient and with lots of potential for development. The Chieftain and Challengers are really nothing but developments from this exceptional tank. A good, sound concept. The engine department was a bit cumbersome, but thats the way the British build things."

Former 81 platoon leader, later company commander 26. Armored brigade.

"- Considering the sheer milage in such a large number of countries in so many versions it must probably be the most succesful tank ever built."

Former 81 platoon leader 8. Armored brigade.

"-Very individual vehicles. Could take an incredible amount of punishment but they did require tender care. The special smell and sound are unforgettable."

Former 102R company commander Armored brigade "Gotland"

104 at Revinge 1988