Tamiya Centaur CS Mk IV - full build with deep wading gear (1/35 scale model)

Building the Centaur Mk IV Close Support version, also known as the Tank Cruiser Mk. VIII, A27L. The Centaur was very closely related to the Cromwell (the key difference being the engine) and although it was primarily used for training purposes it did see action with the Royal Marine Armoured Support Group (RMASG) in Normandy on D-Day.
In this video I build the kit with photoetched deep wading gear by Aber.
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[@markfergerson2145]

Glad this one got chosen, the Centaurs don’t get enough love for their part in the landings. Also, the wading gear sets it apart from the run of the mill.

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, I think I might look for more options like this for ny kits - not so much PE to upgrade kit parts, but to add or convert features

[@jamesbednar8625]

Awesome video!!! Have built this kit as well and had no problems with it. I used Tamiya's photo-etch kit they offer for their Cromwell exhaust screens instead of the nylon mesh. I also "accidentally" destroyed the vinyl tracks by spraying Testor's gray primer paint onto them. They literally crystallized and disintegrated. Bought another kit to "correct" my mistake.
Also, when I once visited Normandy in very late 1990s-very early 2000s, there was a Centaur on static display at the cafe by Pegasus Bridge - thought that was quite unique. Do remember that it was in that brownish paint scheme and had all those markings on the turret - I actually had to look it up in a tank identification booklet to see what it was for that was my first time seeing a Centaur in person. Do not know if that Centaur is still on display at Pegasus Bridge.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate - great information!

[@StevenPotts-ij9ue]

A lovely build of a really nice kit, I am currently building the Cromwell and am enjoying it immensely, I completely missed out on Tamiya kits in my younger days. I think that a Centaur is also now on my list of wants. Great video, looking forward to the next one.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you Steven. Yes, I really enjoyed this one. It is incredibly similar to the Cromwell though - I think there are literally just 3 or 4 parts that are different in the kit!

[@uniformmike05]

The U-shaped brackets on the engine deck could be brackets for carrying 95mm ammo boxes. The tow cables were attached with one end in a strap in a bracket on the right-hand fender, then rested on three u-shaped brackets on the outer side of the fender boxes and then the other end was either laid on the glacis or attached to the front towing shackles.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks - that's really helpful. I think Tamiya misses off a lot of that detail.

[@uniformmike05]

@@ModelNerd You’re welcome. Tamiya kits are usually very good but often simplified.

[@nikosbr4691]

Promising start. Looking forward to the finished model. Your milliput is fine, it just needs some more work. You can remove the hard brown crust if you want but you can use it as is.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I cut the Millipit shot early but it eventually mixed into a brown colour and didn't seem right. I kept it though so could try it again.

[@marksixofone4104]

Fabulous build, the Aber etch really adds to the model. Looking forward to the painting of the model.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@notteblufieramosca7548]

Hello dear artist. I'm your fan. I continue to follow you with interest and enthusiasm, learning many useful things from you for my future works. Thank you very much for what you give us in vision.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you! And thank you for your support :)

[@45degreesmodelling]

Great build as always. I’d like to point out as a proud Royal Marine, the Tamiya instructions give the wrong colour for the figures berets. The guys who took these ashore were regular RM’s and wore the blue beret, they wern’t commandos, so didn’t have green lids like the instructions suggest. I’m looking forward to the next part!

[@ModelNerd]

Brilliant - thank you! I really appreciate being told details like that.

[@BL1GHTY]

Not necessarily. My father was RM and already taken the commando course at Achnacarry in 1943. On D-Day he was a radio operator/gun-layer in a Centaur and landed on Juno with 2nd RMAS. He wore his Green Beret.

[@ModelNerd]

@@BL1GHTY Funny you should reply just now: I was painting these figures last night and trying to decide what colour to paint the berets :)

[@45degreesmodelling]

@@BL1GHTY fair one! Whenever I’ve seen any of RMASG guys they’d always had blue berets. Did your dad ever document his time with the RMASG? I know the Corps historical society would love any info because I think information is pretty scarce about them.

[@BL1GHTY]

@@ModelNerd45 Degrees is right though that typically the RM crew would have worn blue berets (Dad was unusual in that respect. Drivers were drafted into RMASG from Royal Armoured Corps. Another detail he told me is that his battle dress was the Canadian issue (though whether that was because he was on Juno, I don’t know).

[@JuergenGDB]

Yes... First here... Another fantastic build. I always did enjoy using the Centaur in "ASL Squad Leader Game" As well as the Churchill AVRE. Of course as a Marine Veteran, of course, I would always opt for the Royal Marines, our brothers in arms. God Bless, and have a wonderful day building! Although I am always fond of doing a Camo pattern.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! I love making models of branches or groups that don't seem to feature often. I'd really like to build some of the "funnies" at some point too.

[@doejon9424]

Not too shabby, Chap .

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@JohnSmith-sl1my]

Looks like an nice easy build . Look forward to seeing the end result 👍.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yep, classic Tamiya easy build :)

[@BrushQuill]

Very nice looking build and love its a RMASG veichle. You mentioned seeing the U brackets on Cromwells, could it be the PE is designed for both tanks (as they are so similar?), but not marked as such on the label?

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! Sorry, I might have said Cromwells but I meant Churchills! :)

[@organicpaul]

Great stufff....!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@lappin6482]

Awesome video 👌

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@Emergency785]

Different thing. Beatiful!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@willm5032]

I should be working but I saw a new Model Nerd video is out so now I'm not working

[@ModelNerd]

Haha!

[@ljscalemodels526]

Nice video Stu

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@tonysquires8207]

Wasn't the predecessor the Covenanter? Or is that something else 🤔

[@ModelNerd]

Yes, I think you're right. The Cromwell and Centaur are closely related - I think essentially the Centaur is a Cromwell with an earlier engine (because the planned Cromwell engine wasn't ready yet).

[@user-zw7gp8xb8f]

🤝👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@MVeminor7]

Hi Stu, I like the mantlet detail. That was key. Waiting for the paint.a Any diorama plans?

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. No diorama plans (space limits) but I do have a small addition for it in the next video.