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| SP 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Archer_SP_17_pdr_Tank_Destroyer.jpg) SP 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer front (and direction of driving) to left, engine to right | |
| Type | Self-propelled artillery anti-tank gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | September 1944 - early 1950s (UK) |
| Used by | United Kingdom, Egypt, Jordan |
| Wars | Second World War, Suez Crisis |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Vickers-Armstrongs |
| Manufacturer | Vickers-Armstrongs |
| Produced | March 1943 – May 1945[1] |
| No. built | 655 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 15 long 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) |
Main armament | QF 17 pounder (76.2 mm) gun 39 rounds |
Secondary armament | .303 Bren light machine gun |
| Engine | GMC 6-71 6-cylinder diesel 192 bhp |
| Power/weight | 10.1 hp/t |
| Suspension | coil spring bogie |
| Fuel capacity | 50 imp gal (230 L) |
Operational range | 140 mi (230 km) on roads |
| Maximum speed | 20 mph (32 km/h) off-road: 8 mph (13 km/h) |
The Self Propelled 17pdr, Valentine, Mk I, Archer was a British tank destroyer[2] of the Second World War based on the Valentine infantry tank chassis fitted with an Ordnance QF 17 pounder gun. Designed and manufactured by Vickers-Armstrongs, 655 were produced between March 1943 and May 1945. It was used in north-west Europe and Italy during the war; post-war, it served with the Egyptian Army. This vehicle was unusual in that its gun faced the rear of the chassis instead of the front.
- ^ http://www.onwar.com/tanks/uk/farcher.htm Onwar.com Archer accessed 21 March 2008
- ^ Bishop, Chris (2016). The illustrated encyclopedia of weapons of World War II : a comprehensive guide to weapons systems, including tanks, small arms, warplanes, artillery, ships, and submarines. London: Amber Books. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-78274-388-0.