Overview

A tightly focused illustrated study comparing the design, development, and combat performance of two of the Cold War's first main battle tanks. Conceived at the height of World War II, the British Centurion and the Soviet T-55 were initially expected to counter the formidable Panther and Tiger tanks of Germany. But as the Cold War unfolded, these machines prepared instead for the coming struggle between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Though they never fought in Europe, these two tanks became the mainstay of the Cold War's proxy forces around the world. From Korea to the Middle East and on to Angola, these two armored combatants clashed repeatedly, reaching their crescendo on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War where 177 Centurions of the IDF took on a vastly superior Arab force. Presented with highly detailed digital artwork and photographs, this is a tightly focused study of the development and operational history two of the Cold War's first main battle tanks.

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9781846033698

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Reviews

It is not often that one reads a book like this that is so superbly written that it just draws you in. I've had the pleasure of reading several in the past week, and both of them authored by Simon Dunstan. The man just knows how to write and you are really missing out if you don't pick up this particular edition. It is that good. As with others in this series, it has a nice selection of period illustrations in addition to excellent artwork and diagrams done specifically for this book. It is a first rate read and one that I most highly recommend. -Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness/modelingmadness.com (December 2009) This new title in the 'Duel' series of books from Osprey is written by Simon Dunstan, an author who has a number of excellent books to his credit already. This one is equally good, and covers the 2 AFVs of the title in a well balanced book... Overall an interesting book which is very readable, and a good insight into tank vs tank combat in the Middle East in 1973. -Robin Buckland, Military Modelling/militarymodelling.com (December 2009)

It is not often that one reads a book like this that is so superbly written that it just draws you in. I've had the pleasure of reading several in the past week, and both of them authored by Simon Dunstan. The man just knows how to write and you are really missing out if you don't pick up this particular edition. It is that good. As with others in this series, it has a nice selection of period illustrations in addition to excellent artwork and diagrams done specifically for this book. It is a first rate read and one that I most highly recommend. -Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness/modelingmadness.com (December 2009)<br><br> This new title in the 'Duel' series of books from Osprey is written by Simon Dunstan, an author who has a number of excellent books to his credit already. This one is equally good, and covers the 2 AFVs of the title in a well balanced book... Overall an interesting book which is very readable, and a good insight into tank vs tank combat in the Middle East in 1973. -Robin Buckland, Military Modelling/militarymodelling.com (December 2009)

Author Information

Simon Dunstan is a well-established author, film-maker and photographer in the field of military history, with several titles already published with Osprey. He specializes in armoured warfare, and has written on this subject for two decades. His books have covered topics such as helicopter and armoured warfare in Vietnam, the Challenger main battle tank, the British Guards and armoured warfare in Korea. Simon lives and works in London.

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