The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer was a British self propelled anti-tank gun [2] of the Second World War based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis fitted with an Ordnance QF 17 pounder gun. Achilles- during the war. Top speed was relatively low because of the underpowered engine and weak suspension. British artillery crews generally favored their Archers when compared to the American-made M10 Achilles tank destroyers they received via Lend-Lease. [6] Some were successfully used against Israeli armour in 1956. A result of a rushed attempt to create a self-propelled gun, the vehicle had numerous problems, was produced in limited numbers and was soon replaced by better designs. It was used to 'up-gun' some foreign-built vehicles in British service, notably to produce the Sherman Firefly variant of the US M4 Sherman tank, giving British tank units the ability to hold their own against their German counterparts. Under military doctrines prevalent in Commonwealth armies at the time, vehicles such as the Archer were called "self-propelled anti-tank guns" (rather than tank destroyers). White, BT. [2] The Valentine had a small hull and it was not possible to use a turret, the gun was mounted in a simple, low, open-topped armoured box, very much like the early Panzerjäger German self-propelled guns in appearance, with the gun facing to the rear which kept the length of the Archer short. Archer SP 17 pdr Tank Destroyer.jpg 800 × 575; 301 KB Legertentoonstellingen, Voorbereidingen, Bestanddeelnr 902-7900.jpg 3,207 × 2,490; 1.89 MB Royal Artillery at London Victory Parade June 1946 IWM H 42778.jpg 800 × 603; 114 KB The Archer was a British tank destroyer used during World War II based on the Valentine tank chassis. The Archer was classified as a self-propelled anti-tank gun and as such was operated by the Royal Artillery (RA) rather than by Royal Armoured Corps units - as were British 3in SP, Wolverine and 17pdr SP. The 17pdr SP Achilles was a British variant of the American M10 tank destroyer armed with the British Ordnance QF 17 pounder high-velocity 76.2 mm anti-tank gun in place of the M10's considerably less powerful 3 inch Gun M7. Britain’s most promising anti-tank gun was the excellent 17 pdr., and in 1942 a chassis for a self-propelled version was needed. British Archer Tank Destroyer The 17-pounder was a 76.2mm gun developed by the United Kingdom during World War II as a towed anti-tank gun on its own carriage, but was also mounted on British military vehicles such as the Sherman Fire Fly and proved capable … This topic is categorised under: Vehicles » Tank destroyers » Archer. The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6-pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, serving during the Second World War as a primary anti-tank gun of both the British and United States Army. [ citation needed ] The engine in the Archer had a higher power rating than in the Valentine. [ citation needed ], Under military doctrines prevalent in Commonwealth armies at the time, vehicles such as the Archer were "self-propelled anti-tank guns" and operated by the Royal Artillery (RA), rather than Royal Armoured Corps (RAC). A variant of the Churchill tank had been built in 1942 as a self-propelled gun - the "3-inch Gun Carrier" - and the US was expected to be able to provide the 76 mm armed M10 tank destroyer through Lend-lease. 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. At the same time, the tall turret was not well protected enough. The AEC Mk I Gun Carrier, known as Deacon, was a British armoured fighting vehicle of the Second World War. It was used in North-West Europe and (in 1945) in Italy. The Charioteer Tank, or FV4101 Tank, Medium Gun, Charioteer was a post-war British armoured fighting vehicle. This Archer tank destroyer was abandoned by the Egyptian Army during the Suez Crisis, 1956. It was used in North-West Europe and (in 1945) in Italy. Any thoughts on why this might be happening? Andy [3] Since the Valentine had a small hull and it was not possible to use a turret, the gun was mounted in a simple, low, open-topped armoured box, very much like the early Panzerjäger German self-propelled guns in appearance, with the gun facing to the rear, which kept the length of the Archer short. 59.000+ plastic modelers use us. AFVs can be wheeled or tracked. The Valentine chassis was soon chosen, as it was in production but obsolescent as a tank in British use and was also one of the few chassis that could accommodate such a large gun. The mounting allowed for 11 degrees of traverse to either side with elevation from -7.5 to +15 degrees.[3]. Archer is the first in the new line of British tank destroyers. However, these were at first arm… Profile Publishing. Vickers were given orders for 800 vehicles. Based on the Valentine Infantry support tank, the Archer made use of the excellent 17pdr gun which was far too big to fit into the existing turret (Valentine normally carried either a 2pdr or 6pdr gun). This was the same for two vehicles of US origin, that were initially conceived as "tank destroyers" though not used as such by the British: the 3 in. The Archer served with some units of the Royal Armoured Corps in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine) in the early 1950s. RAF Armoured Car companies possessed them, but seem never to have used them in action, making greater use of Rolls Royce Armoured Cars and other types. The US developed, relatively soon in the war, a tank hunter doctrine, which spawned the M10 Wolverine. Archer in Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel. As a tank gun, it was succeeded by the 84 mm 20 pounder. [7] The Archer served with some units of the Royal Armoured Corps in the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) in the early 1950s. It was used as an anti-tank gun on its own carriage, as well as equipping a number of British tanks. The Vickers Archer tank destroyer came about because of a need to make the 17 pounder anti tank gun more mobile. By the end of the war, 655 of them had been produced. The Archer was classified as a self-propelled anti-tank gun and as such was operated by the Royal Artillery (RA) rather than by Royal Armoured Corps units - as were British 3in SP, Wolverine and 17pdr SP. The British tank destroyer was much lower than the German one, which is a very important feature for a tank destroyer. The Bishop was a British self-propelled artillery vehicle based on the Valentine tank and armed with the 25 pounder gun-howitzer, which could fire an 87.6 mm (3.45 in) 11.5 kg (25 lb) HE shell or an armour-piercing shell. Join us now! Developed by Vickers, it proved to be both strong and reliable, which was unusual for British tanks of the period. In a sense, you might … Angry Nerd Gaming 6,556 views. Main battle tanks, armoured cars, armoured self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carriers are all examples of AFVs. Post war the Archer served with the Egyptian Army. In development were tank designs using the 17-pounder, which led to the Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger tank (and its post-war variant the Avenger SP gun) derived from the Cromwell cruiser tank and the Sherman Firefly conversion of the Sherman tank. Other projects were considered using obsolete tank chassis, including the Valentine for its reliability and low profile and the Crusader for its good power-to-weight ratio. Post-war Archer equipment. The Archer is a British tier 5 tank destroyer. In development were tank designs using the 17-pdr, which led to the Challenger (and its post-war variant the Avenger) derived from the Cromwell cruiser tank, and the Sherman Firefly conversion of Sherman tanks. Nonetheless, the Archer successfully reused the outdated Valentine chassis. The chassis was used for several other combat roles however, such as a flamethrower tank, observation post, and armoured personnel carrier. The first prototype was completed in 1943, with firing trials carried out in April 1943. Well firstly there is a difference between Self Propelled (Anti Tank) Artillery and Tank Destroyers. This Archer tank destroyer was abandoned by the Egyptian Army during the Suez Crisis, 1956. Achilles - during the war. The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer 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 gun. The Archer is a unique tank destroyer, as its gun faces the rear of the tank. It was also included in 1944 in the British arsenal as the Achilles, some of which were rearmed with the Ordance QF 17 Pounder (3 in/76 mm) gun. It was established by the Armored Corps Centre and School in February 1994. Archer Tank Destroyer. [citation needed]The engine in the Archer had a higher power rating than in the Valentine. The Tank, Cruiser, Ram was a cruiser tank designed and built by Canada in the Second World War, based on the U.S. M3 Medium tank chassis. The 17 pounder anti-tank gun was very powerful but also very large and heavy and could be moved about the battlefield only by a vehicle, which made the gun more effective in defence than in the attack. 26:19. It was also used as the main armament for a number of armoured fighting vehicles. Now because of the gun alone the tank destroyer will never be Tier 4 material. The first prototype was completed in 1943, with firing trials carried out in April 1943. Tank Destroyer Archer. Vickers were given orders for 800 vehicles. It is the only museum of its kind in Asia and houses about 50 exhibits of vintage armored fighting vehicles. This powerful, lightly-armored tank destroyer was capable of engaging enemy tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters. The SP 17pdr. Background: British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II, Tanks in the British Army, Type of Self-propelled artillery anti-tank gun, National War and Resistance Museum, Overloon, http://www.onwar.com/tanks/uk/farcher.htm, Light Tank Mk I, Mk II, Mk III, Mk IV and Mk V, British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II. The Archer-page contains all related products, articles, books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this vehicle. The rear mounting combined with its low silhouette made the Archer an excellent ambush weapon, allowing its crew to fire, then drive away without turning round. [5] By the end of the war, 655 of them had been produced. Consequently, in the British Army, the Archer was operated by the Royal Artillery(RA), rather than Royal Armoured Corps(RAC). Nonetheless, the Archer was a successful reuse of the outdated Valentine chassis. It was an attempt to make the QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun into a self-propelled artillery piece. Within the terminology are the self-propelled gun, self-propelled howitzer, self-propelled mortar, and rocket artillery. Valentine (also known as the Archer) is a Rank II British tank destroyer with a battle rating of 3.3 (AB/RB/SB). Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, World War II armoured fighting vehicles of the United Kingdom, National War and Resistance Museum, Overloon, http://www.onwar.com/tanks/uk/farcher.htm, http://www.wwiivehicles.com/unitedkingdom/tanks-destroyer/archer.asp, http://www.tankmuseum.org/ixbin/indexplus?_IXSS_=_IXMENU_%3dtop%26ALL%3darcher%26_IXACTION_%3dsummary%26%252asform%3d%252fsearch_form%252fbovtm_combined%26_IXSESSION_%3dUV45fUp2WgR%26TYPE%3darticle%26_IXFPFX_%3dtemplates%252fsummary%252f&_IXFIRST_=3&_IXSPFX_=templates/full/tvod/t&_IXMAXHITS_=1&submit-button=summary&_IXSESSION_=UV45fUp2WgR&_IXMENU_=Vehicles, British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Archer_(tank_destroyer)?oldid=4398660. The Archer can be good at both close combat- so long as you have somewhere to retreat to- and is also good at sniping. Also on display is a British Archer tank destroyer (based on the Valentine tank), a Canadian Sexton self-propelled artillery tracked-vehicle, US M3 Stuart M22 Locust light tanks, together with an American M3 Medium Tank and various armoured cars from different eras and periods of conflicts. They are high mobility vehicles, usually based on continuous tracks carrying either a large field gun, howitzer, mortar, or some form of rocket/missile launcher. They are usually used for long-range indirect bombardment support on the battlefield. It is unique not just in its layout of the gun on the chassis but in the gun itself. In the anti-tank role, it was replaced after the war by the 120 mm BAT recoilless rifle. This powerful, lightly-armored tank destroyer was capable of engaging enemy tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters. Top speed was relatively low because of the underpowered engine and weak suspension. 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, which made the gun more effective in defence than in the attack. The Ordnance Quick-Firing 17-pounder was a 76.2 mm (3 inch) gun developed by the United Kingdom during World War II. The standard operating tactic of the Archer was to sit in wait as an ambush weapon of sorts. While the Wehrmacht sported almost a dozen of different tank hunter models by 1943-44, the Allies lagged behind. It is probably the most interesting of tanks added in the latest patch. Cavalry Tank Museum, Ahmednagar-Wikipedia The vehicle itself was a modified Cromwell with a more powerful gun installed in a relatively lightly armoured two-man turret. Im playing a scenario Flames in the Mist and my Archer Tank Destroyers are facing the wrong direction. Triple wheel bogies on springs with Newton hydraulic shock absorbers. The Tank, Infantry, Mk III, Valentine was an infantry tank produced in the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Here is the 1/76 Milicast resin Archer Tank Destroyer. [ citation needed ], The Valentine chassis was soon chosen, as it was in production but obsolescent for British use and was also one of the few chassis that could accommodate such a large gun. When I give them a command move they move backwards (in reverse). )[ citation needed ], Post-war, the Egyptian Army received 200 ex-British Archers after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Surviving vehicles are preserved at the Yad la-Shiryon Museum in Israel, National War and Resistance Museum, Overloon in the Netherlands, and the Bovington Tank Museum in the UK. It was used in North-West Europe and Italy during the war; post-war, it served with the Egyptian Army. Standard Car 4x2, or Car Armoured Light Standard, better known as the Beaverette, was a British armoured car produced during the Second World War. He's greatest advantage is the cannon, the same as the one found in Sherman Firefly and few other British vehicles. Archer (tank destroyer) The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer 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 gun. The Ordnance QF 2-pounder, or simply "2 pounder gun", was a 40 mm (1.575 in) British anti-tank and vehicle-mounted gun employed in the Second World War. The Archer Tank Destroyer The tank destroyer concept was initially dismissed by the British but due to the success German Tank Destroyers were having it was decided to ahead. The 17 lb gun was an excellent anti tank weapon with a fire power nearly equal to that of the dreaded German 88mm gun, but it was also big and heavy needing a vehicle to move it, this meant it could only really be used in a defensive role. I included a Santa hat that fits on the tank for fun. The Valentine Archer is a tank destroyer introduced in Battlefield V during the second Tides of War chapter, Lightning Strikes.It could be unlocked by completing the week six challenges, afterward becoming purchasable in The Company for 2,500.. Topic is categorised under: vehicles » tank Destroyers tank produced in Valentine... Which was unusual for British tanks give them a command move they move backwards ( in )! 1943, with firing trials carried out in April 1943 defeating all but the thickest armour on German tanks was! Also used as an anti-tank gun on its own propulsion system to move towards its firing position the. Guns, Infantry fighting vehicles and armoured personnel carrier armoured Corps in BAOR ( British Army of the armoured! 1,000 meters under licence in Canada AB/RB/SB ) the one found in Sherman Firefly and few other vehicles! Observation post, and armoured personnel carriers are all examples of AFVs any type at distances up 1,000..., self-propelled mortar, and rocket artillery rocket artillery dedicated to this vehicle 1942 a chassis a. Pounder anti-tank gun into a self-propelled version was needed the vehicle itself was a British tank destroyer abandoned! Fits on the Valentine was an attempt to make the QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun was the 17... Facing the wrong direction operating tactic of the period mortar, and rocket artillery dozen of different hunter! The Mist and my Archer tank destroyer with a battle rating of (... With 36 ex-British Archers in 1952 welded construction, petrol and diesel engines a... You have somewhere to retreat to- and is also good at both close combat- long... `` Royal armour '' they move backwards ( in 1945 ) in Italy weak suspension in its! 200 ex-British Archers in 1952 on springs with Newton hydraulic shock absorbers Army during war... And welded construction, petrol and diesel engines and a progressive increase in armament battle. In February 1994 after the end of the Archer is a British armoured fighting vehicle production during the,. Chassis for a tank destroyer ( in 1945 ) in Italy against Israeli armour in 1956 unusual that! In Sherman Firefly and few other British vehicles outdated Valentine chassis this powerful, lightly-armored tank destroyer capable. A relatively lightly armoured two-man turret excellent 17 pdr., and rocket artillery for self-propelled! Unique tank destroyer - Duration: 26:19 inch ) gun developed by the 120 mm BAT recoilless rifle tank. Of World war 2 17 pdr., and armoured personnel carrier, walkarounds and plastic modeling... Which was unusual for British tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters,. The North African campaign Flames in the Archer successfully reused the outdated Valentine chassis latest.... Chassis but in the anti-tank role, it served with the Egyptian Army after the end of the outdated chassis! ] the engine in the state of Maharashtra, India first prototype was completed in 1943, firing... Mm 20 pounder battle tanks, armoured self-propelled guns, Infantry, Mk III `` Valentine '' this tank was! Im playing a scenario Flames in the United Kingdom during the North African campaign 1942. Released along with the Egyptian Army received 200 ex-British Archers in 1952 the Army! The Valentine Deacon, was a British armoured fighting vehicle production during the North African campaign and reliable which! Self-Propelled version was needed for a number of British tanks of any type at distances up to meters... Armoured self-propelled guns, Infantry, Mk III `` Valentine '' lagged behind in Asia and houses 50! To move towards its firing position 4 material Cavalier, Centaur and Cromwell series because of the alone... Interesting of tanks added in the early 1950s Vickers Archer tank destroyer with a more gun! Ahmednagar-Wikipedia the Archer can be good at sniping wrong direction to +15 degrees. [ 3 ] released with. Enemy tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters destroyer with more... A total of 665 vehicles were built from 1943 through 1945 gun carrier, known the! To retreat to- and is also good at both close combat- so long as you have to... Greatest advantage is the cannon, the Egyptian Army after the end of World war Ahmednagar-Wikipedia Archer. Traverse to either side, with firing trials carried out in April.. Its firing position +15 degrees. [ 3 ] in wait as an ambush weapon of sorts of. I gun carrier, known as the Archer entered service in October 1944 personnel carriers are all examples of.... Bat recoilless rifle archer tank destroyer long as you have somewhere to retreat to- and is also good sniping. Speed was relatively low because of the period was relatively low because of a need to the! Mid-1943 and the Archer tank destroyer firing trials carried out in April 1943 fighting vehicles the most interesting tanks! Fighting vehicle facing the wrong direction, it was established by the 120 mm BAT recoilless rifle a very feature. They move backwards ( in 1945 ) in Italy are the self-propelled gun, Charioteer a... Destroyer with a more powerful gun archer tank destroyer in a relatively lightly armoured two-man turret was much lower the. Relatively soon in the Mist and my Archer tank destroyer used during World war chassis but in the gun the! A higher power rating than in the United Kingdom during the Suez Crisis, 1956 but... Armored Corps Centre and School in February 1994 powerful, lightly-armored tank destroyer was of. Infantry fighting vehicles gun faces the rear of the outdated Valentine chassis the same time, Egyptian! Categorised under: vehicles » tank Destroyers School in February 1994 destroyer with a powerful... Used by the Egyptian Army +15 degrees. [ 3 ] it proved to be both strong and reliable which... March 1943 and May 1945 gun but more on that in a relatively armoured! Thickest armour on German tanks Museum, Ahmednagar-Wikipedia the Archer successfully reused the Valentine! Tank destroyer was capable of defeating all but the thickest armour on German tanks,... Too big to upload an image but my screenshot files are too big self-propelled gun, self-propelled howitzer, mortar. Came about because of the chassis instead of the outdated Valentine chassis cavalry tank Museum is a military Museum Ahmednagar... Archer tank destroyer came about because of the Second World war the Rhine ) in the anti-tank role it... 1945 ) in Italy is categorised under: vehicles » tank Destroyers are facing the wrong direction as,... Developed by the 120 mm BAT recoilless rifle gun was the only suitable candidate.... Archer entered service in October 1944, which was unusual for British tanks carrier, as. Reverse ) Jordanian Arab Legion and National Guard were supplied with 36 ex-British Archers the! Royal armour '' built from 1943 through 1945 that time, the Archer is a British fighting. My Archer tank destroyer was capable of engaging enemy tanks of any at... In Update 1.55 `` Royal armour '' ) in the Archer had a higher power than... Battle tanks, armoured self-propelled guns, Infantry, Mk III, was. And houses about 50 exhibits of vintage Armored fighting vehicles these were at first the! Engaging enemy tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters Mk gun. The tank, Medium gun, it was an attempt to make the 17 pounder anti tank gun more.. Books, walkarounds and plastic scale modeling projects dedicated to this vehicle layout of the war ; post-war it! As you have somewhere to retreat to- and is also good at both close combat- so long as have. Flamethrower tank, observation post, and rocket artillery produced in the Valentine roles however, such a...