Modern/Post-War Photos

Rear View.

Tank Museum, Bovington.

The Archer tank destroyer, example preserved in the Tank Museum, Bovington. Like the Sherman Firefly, the Archer (a non-official designation) was a British response to the problem of "Tiger killing". The concept involved mounting the excellent British 17-pounder antitank gun on the modified body/chassis of the small, obsolete Valentine infantry tan - facing to the rear. The result was a hard-hitting ambush tank destroyer; firing from ambush, the Archer could destroy any German tank at reasonable battle range, and then drive away under forward gear without turning. Using this method, the Archer was a reasonably successful tank killer, the usefulness was made less obvious than it might have been by relatively low production. (Operational in Europe, June 1944-end war). Best regards, JR.