| • Science | • People | • Locations | • Timeline |
The Archer was a British tank destroyer used during World War II based on the Valentine chassis.
With the development of the 17 Pounder gun, the need arose for it to be mounted on a combat vehicle. 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 the large gun.
In order to compensate for relatively small hull of the Valentine, the gun lacked a turret and the vehicle was lightly armored with an open top. Also, quite uniquely, the gun was mounted facing the rear of the vehicle.
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.
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.
| British armored fighting vehicles of World War II |
| Cruiser Tanks |
| Mk I | Mk II | Mk III | Mk IV | Mk V Covenanter | Mk VI Crusader | Mk VII Cavalier | Mk VIII Centaur | Mk VIII Cromwell | Challenger | Comet |
| Infantry Tanks |
| Mk I Matilda | Mk II Matilda | Mk III Valentine | Mk IV Churchill |
| Self-propelled artillery |
| Bishop | Sexton |
| Tank destroyers |
| Archer |
| Experimental vehicles |
| Avenger | Black Prince | Tortoise | Valiant |
| British armored fighting vehicle production during World War II |