Archer (tank destroyer)

Archer (tank destroyer)

Infobox Weapon
name=SP 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer


caption=SP 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer
front (and direction of driving) to left, engine to right
origin=United Kingdom
type=self-propelled anti-tank gun
is_vehicle=yes
is_UK=yes
service=October 1944 - ? (UK)
used_by=United Kingdom, Egypt
wars=World War II, Suez Crisis
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Vickers
unit_cost=
production_date= March 1943 - May 1945 [http://www.onwar.com/tanks/uk/farcher.htm Onwar.com Archer accessed 21st March 2008]
number= 655
variants=
weight=15 tons (15 tonnes)
length=21 ft 11 in (6.7 m)
width=9 ft (2.76 m)
height=7 ft 4 in (2.25 m)
crew=4 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver)
armour=14 - 60 mm (.55 - 2.36 in)
primary_armament=QF 17 pounder (76.2 mm) gun
39 rounds
secondary_armament=.303 Bren light machine gun
engine=GMC 6-71 6-cyl diesel
engine_power=192 hp
transmission=
fuel_capacity=227 litres (60 gallons)
pw_ratio=10.1 hp/t
suspension=coil spring bogie
vehicle_range=140 km on roads (87 mi)
speed= 20 mph (32 km/h)
off road: 8 mph

The SP 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer was a British self propelled anti-tank gun used during World War II based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis.

Design and devleopment

The 17 pounder anti-tank gun was a very powerful gun but also very large and heavy and could only be moved about the battlefield by a vehicle. This meant that it was more effective in defence than in the attack. Therefore there was the intention to mount it on a vehicle to give it more mobility. The Valentine chassis was soon chosen for this role, as it was in production but rapidly becoming obsolete as a tank. It was also one of the few chassis that could accommodate such a large gun.Fact|date=March 2008 In separate devleopment were tank designs using the 17 pdr - this would lead to the Cruiser Tank, Challenger [and the Avenger self-propelled gun] and the Sherman Firefly.

The Valentine had a relatively small hull and it was not possible to use a turret. Instead the gun was mounted in a simple low open-topped armoured box with gun barrel to the rear. This kept the overall length of the Archer short. However, this meant that on firing the gun breech recoiled into the driver's space.

The rear mounting at first seemed like a liability, but it was soon made into an advantage. Combined with its low silhouette, the Archer made an excellent ambush weapon, allowing its crew to fire off a few shots, then drive away without wasting time turning around.

ervice

Production started in mid 1943 and the Archer began to be issued in October 1944, and saw combat in the Western Front and the Italian Campaign. By the end of the war, 655 of them had been produced. The Archer was classified as a self-propelled gun and as such was operated by the Royal Artillery (RA) rather than a Cavalry or British Tank Regiment. The 3in SP, Wolverine/17pdr SP. Achilles in British service was also operated by RA units.

Post war the Archer served with the Egyptian Army.

Surviving vehicles are preserved at the Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel, Libertypark museum in the Netherlands, and the Bovington Tank Museum, England.

References

* [http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks-destroyer/archer.asp WWIIvehicles.com Accessed 21st March 2008]

External links

* [http://www.onwar.com/tanks/uk/farcher.htm OnWar]
* [http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks_destroyer/archer.html WWII Vehicles]


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