The Archer mounted a 17-pounder anti-tank gun facing over the rear of a Valentine chassis. Its driver remained in the normal Valentine driving position, so the vehicle could reverse towards an ambush position and then withdraw forwards immediately after firing. This avoided turning the vehicle around while under threat. The open top improved observation while exposing the crew to weather and close attack. With the gun facing rearwards, the engine block also lay towards the enemy.
Notable Point · 3:17:58-3:23:22
The Archer turns a Valentine hull into an ambush weapon
The rear-facing 17-pounder Archer demonstrates how a mature tank hull could become a specialized, mobile anti-tank system.