Centurion Action X

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Rank VII | Premium | Golden Eagles
Challenger DS Pack
This page is about the British medium tank Centurion Action X. For other versions, see Centurion (Family).
Centurion Action X
uk_centurion_action_x.png
GarageImage Centurion Action X.jpg
ArtImage Centurion Action X.png
Centurion Action X
AB RB SB
7.7 7.7 7.7
Purchase:6 090 Specs-Card-Eagle.png
Show in game

Description

The Centurion Action X is a premium rank IV British medium tank with a battle rating of 7.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.93 "Shark Attack".

The imponent-looking prototype, the Centurion X, is a tank with a unique personality. The vehicle will be appreciatively friendly to the aspiring tankers and veterans of the British tanks, while also setting a small peak of what the latter ranks got to offer.

With a fair share of mobility and firepower, the Centurion X is a good Premium piece in the British Post-war lineup. The novelty is about the now, more sloped turret armour features. Despite the evidence of some inadequate armour angles, the tank can surely stand on its own, if played appropriately; With a playstyle pretty much comparable to the tech tree development cousin, the FV4202.

Overall a good way to research higher ranks, learn more about the game style and earn some nifty Silver Lions rewards!

General info

Survivability and armour

Smoke grenades
Creation of a smoke screen in front of the vehicle
Armourfront / side / back
Hull76 / 51 / 38
Turret198 / 89 / 89
Crew4 people
Visibility119 %

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, turret roof, cupola roof)
  • Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, cupola sides and center)
Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 76.2 mm (57°) Front glacis
76.2 mm (45°) Lower glacis
50.8 mm (12°) + 6 mm 38 mm (7°) Upper plate
20 mm (62°) Lower glacis
29 mm (8°) Front
30 mm Engine deck
Turret 89-198 mm (1-67°) Turret front 89-98 mm
76 mm (43-49°) Side glacis
89 mm (10-18°) 76 mm (20°) Front glacis
29 mm
Cupola 152 mm 152 mm Front half
90 mm Rear half
90 mm 29 mm Outer ring
29 mm (spherical) Centre

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels, tracks and bogies are 20 mm thick.
  • The belly is 17 mm thick.
  • An internal structural plate of 17 mm thickness separates the forward ammo rack from the driver as seen in X-ray mode.
  • Another internal 17 mm structural plate with large openings separates the driver compartment from the crew compartment.
  • The steel boxes and the mudguards are 4 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB39 / 14 km/h
RB and SB35 / 13 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
2 back
Weight50.8 t
Engine power
AB1 240 hp
RB and SB650 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB24.4 hp/t
RB and SB12.8 hp/t
Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 39 14 50.8 1,007 1,240 19.82 24.41
Realistic 35 13 575 650 11.32 12.8

Modifications and economy

Repair cost
AB2 743 Sl icon.png
RB3 158 Sl icon.png
SB4 414 Sl icon.png
Crew training10 000 Sl icon.png
Experts440 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces1 340 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
Talisman.png 2 × 130 / 200 / 220 % Sl icon.png
Talisman.png 2 × 190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Mods tank reinforcement uk.png
Crew Replenishment
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Mods tank ammo.png
84mm_britain_20pdr_APDS_ammo_pack
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Mods smoke screen.png
Smoke grenade
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Mods tank ammo.png
84mm_britain_Smoke_ammo_pack

Armaments

Main armament

Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition63 rounds
First-order12 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
8.1 → 6.3 s
Vertical guidance-10° / 20°
84 mm 20pdr OQF Mk.I Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 63 -10°/+20° ±180° Two-plane 17.1 23.7 28.8 31.8 33.9 8.19 7.25 6.68 6.30
Realistic 10.7 12.6 15.3 16.9 18.0

Ammunition

The ammunition available to the Centurion Action X offers a wide range of projectiles to engage most types of targets:

  • Shot Mk.1: APCBC; an armour-piercing capped shell with ballistic cap that has a good penetration power but a rather average post-penetration damage effect. Make sure to target modules and crew positions to maximize the damage inflicted.
  • Shot Mk.3: APDS; an armour-piercing discarding sabot shot that has a very high penetration power but a poor post-penetration damage effect. Make sure to target modules and crew positions to maximize the damage inflicted.
  • Shell Mk.1: HE; a shell useful for destroying open and lightly-armoured vehicles but travelling at a low speed.
  • 20pdr Shell SS Mk.1: Smoke; useful to blind enemy vehicles that are too remote for you to disable so that you can progress towards objectives. However, it is a very slow shell.
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
Shot Mk.1 APCBC 232 229 216 201 187 173
Shot Mk.3 APDS 285 283 262 239 218 198
Shell Mk.1 HE 15 15 15 15 15 15
Shell details
Ammunition Type of
warhead
Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
Shot Mk.1 APCBC 1,000 9.1 N/A N/A N/A 48° 63° 71°
Shot Mk.3 APDS 1,430 3.2 N/A N/A N/A 75° 78° 80°
Shell Mk.1 HE 600 7.5 0 0.1 1,130 79° 80° 81°
Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
Mass (kg)
Screen radius
(m)
Screen deploy time
(s)
Screen hold time
(s)
Explosive Mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
20pdr Shell SS Mk.1 250 9.3 13 5 20 50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the Centurion Action X
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
63 61 (+2) 59 (+4) 57 (+6) 54 (+9) 52 (+11) 49 (+14)
7th
rack empty
8th
rack empty
9th
rack empty
10th
rack empty
11th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
46 (+17) 38 (+25) 13 (+50) (+57) (+62) No

Notes:

  • Shells are modeled individually and disappear from the rack after having been loaded in the breech.
  • Racks 10 and 11 are first stage ammo racks. They total 12 shells and get filled first when loading up the tank.
  • These 2 racks are also emptied first when firing: the rack depletion order at full capacity is: 10 - 11 - 1 - 2 - etc. until 9.
  • Simply not firing when the gun is loaded will move ammo from racks 1-9 into racks 11 then 10. Firing will interrupt the restocking of the ready racks.

Optics

Centurion Action X Optics
Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics X4.9 X6.0
Comparable optics Strv 104

Machine guns

Ammunition3 750 rounds
Belt capacity250 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
10.4 → 8.0 s
Fire rate500 shots/min
Main article: L3A1 (7.62 mm)
7.62 mm L3A1
Mount Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal
Coaxial 3,750 (250) 500 -10°/+5° N/A

The small calibre of the L3A1 machine gun makes it largely ineffective against all armoured vehicles but the ones with an open compartment. It still can be used to ping targets as a rangefinding help or to mow down minor obstacles blocking your line of sight.

Usage in battles

At first glance, the Centurion Action X does not bring a significant change in playstyle. Compared to equivalent-rank vehicles, battle usage can be straightforward. But there are some meaningful lessons for future medium tanks that excel at support roles down the rank, namely the Chieftains.

One way to master this tank's capabilities is to minimize its weaknesses. Knowing the limited maximum speed, the commanders often should resort to long-distance gunnery. This long-range shooting is, in fact, very healthy for the Centurion X. The firepower is more than sufficient to cause damage in most ranges; thus, sniping is where most mainstream British medium tanks will excel. 

The shoot-and-scoot tactic benefits the Centurion Action X. It will protect the vehicle from prolonged exposure as the lower turret is poorly armoured to withstand serious firepower. One way to stay alive is never to expose your lower half of the turret.

An early game planning of the map positioning will allow the Centurion Action X to strike lethally without being immediately obliterated. However, players should keep in mind another forte of most British MBTs down the line; this is the flexibility of the gun elevation. Therefore slopes, cliffs and trenches on maps such as Ash river, Carpathians or Fulda, should be used to multiply the damage the Centurion can cause. 

The sniper or support role can provide the best results in the long run, as most tanks at its rank will often struggle to fire effectively when on the move or at long ranges. Meanwhile, the Centurion Action X will quickly get in and out of cover thanks to the gun stabilizer, firing whenever enemy targets are spotted.

New players may learn the best way to help your team win the game is by being in the rear supporting the offensive of the most aggressive tanks. Not only covering the fronts but also on the lookout for light flankers.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful high penetrating 20 pdr gun, available with an APDS choice
  • Very quick reload time, down to 6.3 seconds per round when in full crew and ace experience
  • Has good gun depression and with gun stabilizer like other Centurion
  • Slopped upper turret armour, up to 240+ mm thick in some areas

Cons:

  • With only 39 (AB), 35 (RB and SB) km/h top speed, its mobility is mediocre when compared to some contemporary mediums
  • Ammo rack in the front like other Centurions
  • Small internal compartment (only 4 crew members), easy to knock out with one hit
  • Although APDS provides high penetration even in long distances, it provides little post-penetration damage
  • Lower turret armour is not reliable sometimes, very thin armour
  • No explosive filler on any AP shells

History

Devblog

Development of the Centurion Action X began in the early 1950s. The aim of the project was to improve the Centurion's ballistic protection by fitting the vehicle with the recently developed 'mantletless' turret design. The turret was fitted on a Centurion Mk.7 hull and featured thick, heavily sloped surfaces which further increased its effectiveness.

Furthermore, the vehicle was tested with both the QF 20-pdr as well as the 105 mm L7 cannon. In the end however, only a couple prototypes were built and tested in addition to a few turrets being used separately for ballistic trials. The Centurion Action X never passed the testing stage and was thus also not ordered into production. However, the experience gained during its development, specifically regarding the use of the mantletless turret, was later incorporated into subsequent tank designs such as the FV4202 and the well-known Chieftain main battle tank.

Media

Skins
Videos

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

External links


Department of Tank Design
Medium Tanks 
Sherman Firefly  Sherman Firefly · Sherman IC "Trzyniec"
MBTs 
Centurion  Centurion Mk 1 · Centurion Mk.2 · Centurion Mk 3 · Centurion Action X · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk 10
Challenger*  Challenger Mk.2 · Challenger Mk.3 · Challenger DS
Tank Destroyers 
Achilles  Achilles · Achilles (65 Rg.)
Centurion-based  Conway · FV4005
Export 
Sherman Firefly  Sherman Ic · ▄Sherman Vc
Centurion  Centurion Mk.5/1 · Strv 81 · Strv 81 (RB 52) · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Strv 101 · Strv 104** · Strv 105** · Sho't
See also  US Ordnance Department · Israeli Ordnance Corps · Vickers-Armstrongs Limited
  *By successor, the Military Vehicles and Engineering Establishment
  **Swedish modernizations incorporating innovations from the Israeli Sho't Kals.

Britain medium tanks
Valentine  Valentine I · Valentine IX · Valentine XI
Cromwell  Cromwell I · Cromwell V · Cromwell V (RP-3)
Cromwell derivatives  Challenger · Avenger · Comet I · Comet I "Iron Duke IV" · Charioteer Mk VII
Centurion  Centurion Mk 1 · Centurion Mk.2 · Centurion Mk 3 · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk 10 · Centurion Action X · FV4202
Vickers MBT  Vickers Mk.1 · Vickers Mk.3 · Vickers Mk.7
Chieftain  Chieftain Mk 3 · Chieftain Mk 5 · Chieftain Mk 10
Challenger 1  Challenger Mk.2 · Challenger Mk.3 · Challenger DS
Challenger 2  Challenger 2 · Challenger 2 (2F) · Challenger 2 TES · Challenger 2 OES · Challenger 2E · Challenger 2 Black Night
Challenger 3  Challenger 3 TD
Australia  A.C.I · A.C.IV · Centurion Mk.5/1
South Africa  Olifant Mk.1A · Olifant Mk.2 · TTD
India  Vijayanta · Bhishma TWMP
Israel  ▄Sho't Kal Dalet
Jordan  Khalid
Sweden  ▄Strv 81 (RB 52)
USA  Grant I · Sherman II · Sherman Firefly · Sherman IC "Trzyniec"

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram