[PF] A51 Centaur MK1 Main Battle Tank
[b] PACIFIC FRONT [/b]
Link to Project Discord: [url=https://steamcommunity.com/linkfilter/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscord.gg%2FpBA6x6jhpC]https://discord.gg/pBA6x6jhpC[/url]
A51 Centaur Mk 1
History
The A51 Centaur Mk I, introduced in 1961, served as the armoured counterweight to the MX 104. Designed domestically as Australia’s premier heavy battle tank, it featured extremely thick armour, and a brutally powerful 127mm main cannon firing two-piece ammunition. Though the gun was slower to load, its sheer penetrative power and devastating high-explosive performance made the Centaur one of the most respected heavy tanks of its era. A coaxial 7.62mm MG and a remotely operable cupola-mounted 7.62mm provided reliable defensive fire without exposing crew members. The tank was, however, notoriously complex to manufacture — resulting in only around 900 units being built despite significant demand.
Doctrinally, the A51 Centaur filled the role of a true heavy tank, anchoring armoured assaults and holding critical terrain where survivability mattered more than manoeuvrability. Nevertheless, it still managed to retain enough agility to operate with medium-tank formations, giving it a flexibility rare in heavily armoured designs of the early 1960s. The Centaur became especially prominent during the long and difficult fighting in China, where its protection and firepower made it one of the most survivable tanks of the 60s and 70s. When paired with the MX 104, it formed a complementary armoured doctrine: the Centaur absorbing punishment and breaking lines, and the MX 104 exploiting the gaps with speed and precision.
[hr]
Stats and Features
[list]
[*] Size 8m x 3.25m x 2.75m
[*] Speed: 48kph
[*] Crew Places: 4 (Driver, Gunner, Commander, Loader)
[*] Armament: 1x 127mm Rifled Artillery Gun, 1x 13mm L8 HMG, 1x 7.62mg
[*] has Radio
[/list]
[hr]
Startup Procedure
[list]
[*] Main Startup:
Isolator Switch (bottom right of driver, its a bit hard to find but its next to a radial indicator)
>Indicator should show "Dorment"
[*] Main Master (top Left)
You can then enable the Donkey Engine Master and hold the Donkey Engine Starter
>this starts the tiny APU/Starter engine, if it runs it should show on the main status indicator
on the front dash (DE-GEN RUN)
[*] To continue starting the main engine:
[*] Enable one of the fuel lines
[*] Enable Ignition
[*] Hold the Start AND PRESS W (for more starter power, press and hold "Donkey Engine Full" this increases RPM for
the Starter Engine)
>RPM should rise, if its above 3.0 the engine should catch and run
Once the engine runs (AND ONLY ONCE IT RUNS) enable the Generator Switch and press the Trip/Reset Button
(Trip= Enables Generator Relays, Reset Disables them, if you disable the Generator Switch without Resetting First it wont actually Reset!!!)
Once the Generator is Tripped you can rev the main engine and it should start charging (look next to the isolator switch, should become green)
----------------------------------------------
TURRET POWER:
[*] To Power turret system you either need the Donkey Engine Running and/or the main engine generator
[*] Once one or both of those are on you can enable the "Turret Generator Power Supply" Switch
[*] This will start the hydraulics and electrical power for the turret
[*] Behind the TC seat is the turret power controls.
[*] Enable "Main Turret Systems Breakers"
>Volt Meter should go to 24
[*] Enable Turret Control Power
>[ON] should turn on (means turret is ready)
turn to the gunner, to the right of his seat are the two switches "Enable hydraulic Pumps" and "Start|Stop hydraulic
Traverse/Elevation"
big dial named Turret Hydraulics should go to 15
Turret should work then
[/list]
[hr]
Further Notes
- Transmission is semi automatic (there is no clutch button, be careful)
- To switch to reverse you need to be in neutral and hold the "reverse button" and then shift down (this unlocks reverse) you then have access to the 2 reverse gears. To get out of reverse mode you just gear up.
- Handbrake is mildly hidden in the bottom left next to the battery
About the Project
The Pacific Front is a Alternate History Project about the time from 1940s through to the 70s in a time of turmoil, war and desperation. It focuses on the countries around the pacific ocean, like the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Russia, China and a lot more. All the the project vehicles are fictional in nature and have their own story, lore and design. The Projects creations have a tendency for high fidelity, decoration and multi crew operation.
