What was the Archer self propelled 17 pdr Valentine?

But, first of all, a little of history, as usual. The Archer Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, was a British self propelled anti-tank gun of the Second World War based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis fitted with an Ordnance QF 17 pounder anti-tank gun. Ordnance QF 17 pounder AT gun.

Where was the Archer used in World War 2?

Vickers were given orders for 800 vehicles. An ‘Archer’ in position at Rafah, Sinai War, 1956. Production started in mid-1943 and the Archer entered service in October 1944. It was used in North-West Europe and (in 1945) in Italy. By the end of the war, 655 of them had been produced.

When did the Vickers Archer go into service?

Vickers were given orders for 800 vehicles. An ‘Archer’ in position at Rafah, Sinai War, 1956. Production started in mid-1943 and the Archer entered service in October 1944. It was used in North-West Europe and (in 1945) in Italy.

What kind of gun does a 17 pdr have?

However, these were at first armed a 6 pdr (2.24 in/57 mm) gun, and later with a 75 mm (2.95 in) gun. Encounters with the Tiger in Tunisia and Panthers in Italy convinced the General Staff of the need to motorize the 17 Pdr “long” gun in the search for more AT firepower.

What was the weight of a 17 pounder?

The weight of the enclosed shot, excluding the enclosing sabot, was 7.7 lb (3.5 kg). The HE shells for the 17-pounder had smaller bursting charges (Mk 1: 1.28 lbs, Mk 2: 1.06 lbs) than those for the 75mm gun used by the Sherman (M48: 1.47 lbs, Mk 1: 1.64 lbs).

What was the QF 17 pounder used for?

It was used as an anti-tank gun on its own carriage, as well as equipping a number of British tanks. It was the most effective Allied anti-tank gun of the war. Used with the APDS shot it was capable of defeating all but the thickest armour on German tanks.

What was the name of the Archer self propelled gun?

Ordnance QF 17 pounder AT gun. The Archer was the second in a series of self-propelled guns produced on the Valentine chassis. The first design produced was the Ordnance QF 25-pdr on Carrier Valentine 25-pdr Mk 1, better known as the “Bishop”.