Archer Self Propelled 17 pdr
In Germany in 1945.
Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum
In use with Egyptian forces after World War II.
Vickers was asked to use the Valentine chassis
to develope a self-propelled gun that could carry the 17
pounder (76.2 mm). The design had the gun facing to the rear. The
armored superstructure was open topped. It was used in concealed positions
and would retreat by driving off if needed. Was considered a success by
those who used it.
It first appeard in combat in NW Europe in October 1944.
| Archer | |
|---|---|
| Crew | Commander, gunner, loader, driver.2 41,2,3 |
| Physical Characteristics | |
| Weight | 35,840 lb3, 36,960 lb2 14.4 tons4, 14.75 tons1 14,990 kg1, 16,257 kg3 |
| Length w/gun | 21' 11"3, 21' 11.25"2 6.64 m4, 6.68 m3 |
| Length w/o gun | 18' 6"3, 17' 9"1 5.41 m1, 5.54 m3 |
| Height | 7' 4"1, 7' 4.5"2,3 2.22 m4, 2.23 m1, 2.25 m3 |
| Width | 8' 7.5"2, 9'1, 9' 0.5"3 2.73 m4, 2.75 m1, 2.76 m3 |
| Ground clearance | |
| Ground contact length | |
| Ground pressure | |
| Turret ring diameter | |
| Armament | |
| Main | 17 pdr (76.2 mm) OQF Mk I1 17 pdr OQF2 17 pdr (76.2 mm)3 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | 7.7 mm (.303 cal) Bren MG3 |
| Side arms | |
| Quantity | |
| Main | 392,4 |
| Secondary | |
| MG | |
| Side arms | |
| Armor Thickness (mm) | 82, 602,4 |
| Hull Front, Upper | |
| Hull Front, Lower | |
| Hull Sides, Upper | |
| Hull Sides, Lower | |
| Hull Rear | |
| Hull Top | |
| Hull Bottom | |
| Turret Front | |
| Turret Sides | |
| Turret Rear | |
| Turret Top | |
| Engine (Make / Model) | GMC 6-711 General Motors 6-713 |
| Cylinders | 63 |
| Net HP | 1923,4 |
| Transmission | |
| Fuel type | Diesel3 |
| Octane | |
| Capacity | |
| Performance | |
| Traverse | 11° left, 11° right.2,4 |
| Max Speed | 15 mph2, 14.9 mph1, 20 mph3 24 kph1, 32.2 kph3, 33 kph4 |
| Cross Country | 8 mph2 |
| Road radius | 90 miles1,2, 140 miles3 145 km1, 225 km3 |
| Turning Radius | |
| Elevation Limits | -7.5° to 15°2 |
| Fording depth | 3'2,3 0.91 m3 |
| Trench crossing | 7' 6"2, 7' 9"3 2.36 m3 |
| Vertical Obstacle | 2' 9"2,3 0.84 m3 |
| Suspension (Type) | "Slow motion" with 3-wheel bogies.2 |
| Wheels each side | 6 |
| Return rollers each side | 3 |
| Track length | |
| Tires | |
| Track width | 14"2 |
| Track centers/tread | 7' 3"2 |
| Production | 1944-45: 665 6553 |
Sources:
- The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
- British and American Tanks of World War Two, The Complete Illustrated History of British, American, and Commonwealth Tanks 1933-1945, Peter Chamberlain and Chris Ellis, 1969
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- Jane's World War II Tanks and Fighting Vehicles The Complete Guide, Leland Ness, 2002
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