The Cruiser Tank Mark VIII A27L Centaur was a British cruiser tank developed during World War II, designed as a transitional platform between earlier cruiser tanks and the more advanced Cromwell. While visually similar to the Cromwell, the Centaur was technically distinct, particularly in terms of its powerplant and performance.
The A27L Centaur was developed by Leyland Motors as part of the A27 tank specification, which originally aimed to create a fast and well-armored cruiser tank using a more reliable powertrain. The “L” in A27L designates Leyland’s involvement, and distinguishes it from the A27M Cromwell, which was produced with the more powerful Rolls-Royce Meteor engine. In contrast, the Centaur retained the older and less powerful Liberty V12 engine, a water-cooled gasoline engine originally developed during World War I and later adapted for tank use.
Technically, the Centaur weighed approximately 28 tons and featured riveted and welded construction. Its armor thickness ranged from 20 mm to 76 mm, offering improved protection over earlier cruiser tanks. Primary armament consisted of a 6-pounder (57 mm) or 75 mm main gun (75 mm ROQF Mk V gun), depending on the variant, mounted in a fully traversable turret. Secondary armament included a coaxial 7.92 mm BESA machine gun and another in the hull.
One of the defining characteristics of the Centaur was its drivetrain and suspension system. It utilized the Christie suspension, which had been a hallmark of British cruiser tanks, providing high-speed cross-country mobility. The Liberty engine produced 395 horsepower, allowing the Centaur to reach a top speed of around 24–27 mph (38–43 km/h) on road, although this was inferior to the Cromwell’s 40+ mph performance due to the less powerful engine.
Several variants of the Centaur were produced, including the Centaur I (armed with the 6-pounder gun), Centaur III (upgraded to the 75 mm gun), and Centaur IV, which was fitted with a 95 mm howitzer for infantry support. The Centaur IV was notably used during the Normandy landings in June 1944, where it was deployed in the Royal Marines Armoured Support Group. These howitzer-equipped tanks were used to provide direct fire support to infantry units during amphibious assaults.
Short overview on the Centaur Tank variants:
Centaur I – Armed with the Royal Ordnance QF 6 pounder (57 mm) gun, it had 64 rounds of ammunition. This version was only used for training exercises, 1,059 tanks produced.
Centaur II – Mark I with wider tracks and no hull machine gun. It was an experimental version.
Centaur III – Centaur armed with the 75 mm ROQF Mk V gun. In 1943, most Centaur I were converted to IIIs, but a few remained as such. 233 tanks produced.
Centaur IV – Centaur armed with a 95 mm howitzer and had 51 rounds of ammunition.
Armoured Support Group. The vehicles were fitted with wading gear to get them ashore. Trunking waterproofed the engine inlets and covers were fitted to the guns. It was produced 114 times
Centaur Bulldozer – A Centaur tank with the turret removed and installed a simple winch-operated bulldozer blade.
In terms of service, the Centaur was relatively short-lived and did not see widespread combat use as a frontline battle tank. Its limited performance and reliability compared to the Cromwell meant that many units originally equipped with Centaurs were converted or replaced. However, its design and production played a crucial role in bridging the gap between older cruiser tanks and the more capable vehicles that followed.
Overall, the Cruiser Tank Mark VIII A27L Centaur represents a transitional phase in British armored development. While not a standout combat vehicle, its technical features, modular design, and production experience helped pave the way for the evolution of British medium tanks during the latter stages of World War II.
Technical Specifications:
Dimensions: 20ft 10in x 8ft x 9ft 5in (6.35 x 2.44 x 2.88 m)
Total weight, battle ready: 28 tonnes
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, co-driver gunner, loader)
Propulsion: Nuffield Liberty V12 Petrol, 410 hp (250 kW)
Operational range on road – 220 km (165 miles)
Suspension: Improved Christie system
Top speed: 40 km/h (24 mph)
Armament: Main: Royal Ordnance QF 6 pounder (57 mm/2.24 inch) with 64 rounds, or 75 mm ROQF Mk V
Secondary: 2 x 7.62 mm (0.3 inch) Besa machine guns, 4,950 rounds
Armor: from 20 to 76 mm (0.79-3 inch)
Total production: 950.
