What's the best book anyone's read on Centurion tanks? Real shame Rob Griffin doesn't seem to have done one to go with his splendid Chieftain & Conqueror books. Haynes one is by a chap I'm not overly trusting in. Images of War one Pat Ware, so while doubtless competent will be a bit... dry... for my tastes. Bill Munro one good? Crowood, so same publisher as the fine Conq & Chieftain ones, (and the very good Saracen one, also by Mr Munro). Any classics I've missed?
Hmmm. Had forgotten that. the Haynes one is by him, and well-reviewed. He also did the Osprey so there's a level of specialism there. I just lost some respect after that 'Grey Wolf' balls. Crowood/Munro one has some dodgy reviews of it's proof reading. Hmmm.
More of a modellers book by the looks of it Centurion: Armoured Hero of Post-War Tank Battles (Tank Craft As well as tracing the history of the Centurion, Robert Jackson's book is an excellent source of reference for the modeller, providing details of available kits and photographs of award-winning models, together with artworks showing the colour schemes applied to these tanks. Each section of the book is supported by a wealth of archive photographs.
Wait for one by Dick Taylor?....but it might be quite a wait because his next book is....currently being written.
I had that very thought last night. Becoming a bit of a go-to on British postwar armour. Knowledgeable, good anecdotes, a leaning towards proper machine stuff over waffle. I'd hoped the Haynes might be his. Clive, I love the old Profiles, but it's time for a substantial wide-ranging book on this splendid vehicle. Served worldwide, plenty of actual use, modernised & updated to the nth degree. etc etc. It's weird that there isn't an 'A41 to Olifant' sort of book. Oh dear. Yeah, alright then. Very little hesitation on that one. Currently OOS on there, so I can delay the guilt & shame until I've had a little hunt round.
vP Dick is ex 3RTR - so really knows his stuff - and only just recently sort of retired although you wouldn't guess it from how busy he is......
I did wonder. Will have a proper look this evening. Have been resisting the series as I can do without more completism, but Black Prince is a hard to resist entry drug. Not a Cent book, though, you distracting swines.
Well, unfortunately, there don't seem to be any really good books. Perhaps there is too much to cover? See also: Cromwell.
Interesting thought. Most PANZERS were in service for 1 to 6 or 7 years. So that's why you can get detailed ad nauseum coverage of every single bleedin' one of them! Probably.
Yeah, I estimate that a thorough history of the Cromwell would be a three volume set, a Churchill history would be an eight volume set, and a Centurion history would be a fifteen volume set.
I suppose one could still write a more detailed summary that would be a single volume but not contain every detail.
I was somewhat disappointed with Munro's book. It has its good points but also some irritating childish errors. OTOH childish errors are the easy ones, easy to spot if one has already some background info.
