British Heavy Tank Conqueror Mk. 2

Plastic model kit for building a British FV214 Conqueror Mk. 2 heavy battle tank

• 1:35 scale
• Rubber tracks
• Includes clear parts and a copper cable
• Unassembled, unpainted
• Paint and glue not included

The FV214 Conqueror Mk. 2 was the primary production variant of the last British heavy battle tank. Its role was to support Centurion units by engaging Soviet heavy tanks at long range. To achieve this, it combined a powerful 120mm gun with heavy frontal armor and a fire-control system that was advanced for its time. The Conqueror family remained in service from 1955 to 1966.

Its development lineage traces back to the British A45 project of 1944 and the subsequent FV201. In the post-war period, the Soviet IS-3 tank emerged as a significant threat; Britain feared that the IS-3 could engage the Centurion at ranges where the latter’s existing armament was not sufficiently effective. Consequently, the existing chassis concept was adapted to create a heavy tank featuring a larger turret and a 120mm gun.

The 120mm L1 gun was designed to engage heavily armored targets. The ammunition was loaded in two parts: the loader had to handle the projectile and the propellant charge separately. This required considerable physical effort, particularly due to the weight of the cartridge casing.

A particularly advanced feature was the commander’s cupola, which included a rangefinder. This allowed the commander to search for targets and determine their range independently of the main turret. The commander could then designate the target for the gunner and direct the main armament toward it. This allowed the task of searching for targets to be divided between the commander and the gunner. A contemporary British training film explains the associated turret and weapon controls.

The Conqueror was deployed with the British Army of the Rhine in West Germany. Typically, nine vehicles were allocated to each appropriately equipped tank regiment, organized into groups of three. Their role was to provide long-range anti-tank fire in support of the Centurions. With the introduction of the British 105mm L7 gun for the Centurion, this specialized function became less significant; the Conqueror was withdrawn from service in 1966.