103 Pieces. Design work on the Centurion began in 1944 and the first model appeared shortly before the end of the war in Europe. The first Centurions were equipped with the 17-pounder; in 1948 this was replaced with the much more effective 20-pounder fitted with auto stabilisation, enabling the gun to remain trained upon the target despite the movement of the tank. Centurions have been employed in action with outstanding success in Korea and Suez and some 2,500 have been sold abroad since 1950. Using the basic hull of the Centurion a great many special purpose vehicles have been developed for use by the R.E.s and R.E.M.E.; these include assault vehicles, bridging vehicles, recovery vehicles and bulldozers. The Centurion Mk. 8 is powered by a 650 h.p. Meteor 12-cylinder petrol engine, giving a speed of 21,5 mph. Armament consists of an 84mm. 20-pounder gun and a co-axial machine gun in the turret together with a second machine gun which can be mounted above the commander's cupola.