Ground vehicles 17-pdr SP Archer, British TD on Valentine chassis

[Luckyleprechaun 144]

Suggestion for the upcoming British tank tree. This one is perhaps the most interesting British tank destroyer of WW2: the Self-Propeller 17-Pounder, Valentine Mk.I, "Archer".
 
History
[spoiler]Urgently in need for a new tank destroyer to house the powerful 76.2 mm Ordnance-QF 17-pounder anti-tank gun, they were looking out for tanks that could be equipped with it. Eventually, it was decited that using surplus Valentine chassis would be the best decision. What's so special about it, you ask? Well, the gun is mounted backwars to make the vehicle shorter. The Soviets were mounting long anti-tank guns on their SU-85s on the front, which often lead to problems in heavy terrain and made the vehicle much too long. That's why the British decited to use mount it backwars on it. The project was designed and tested immediately, however, when it was ready for production in 1944, better designs were avialable, for example the Sherman Firefly or the 17-pdr Achilles. The production was halted in the next year, after 655 units were produced.
Despite the rather unusual design, the vehicle turned out to be very successful. The reliable and combat-proven Valentine chassis was a solid base and the strong gun could destroy any German tank at normal distances.[/spoiler]
 
Technical data
Main gun: 76.2 mm Ordnance-QF 17-pounder Mk.II
-> 39 shells carried
-> traverse: 11° to either side; elevation: -7.5° / +15°
Secondary armament: 7.7 mm anti-air .303 Bren MG
Dimensions (l/w/h): 6.7 m x 2.8 m x 2.3 m
Weight (battle ready): circa 15 tons
Engine: General Motors 6-71 diesel, 192 hp
Top speed: 32 km/h on-road, 13 km/h off-road
Suspension: coil springs, same as normal Valentine
Armour: hull same as normal Valentine; 8 - 14 mm [1]
Crew: 4
 
[1] Probably 14 mm vehicle front and 14 mm gun mantlet, 8 mm sides
 
Pictures



I won't be putting so many photos of it here; only one in combat position. There is plenty to by found on Google.
 
Implementation in War Thunder
This is probably the most important part here. One option is to turn the vehicle by 180° and make it drive backwards by pressing W and forward by pressing S, so that the gun is faced frontally. But that would be very unrealistic. A normal implementation with the gun facing backwards, as it was historical, would be the better solution. It's realistic and when the player wants the gun to face forwards, he can always turn around and drive backwards.
I would really love to see this vehicle in War Thunder. It's unique, which is always a plus and it mounts the 17 pdr, which is another plus. War Thunder needs unique vehicles, not teams full of Tigers and T-34s. Surely, this is one of my personal favourite vehicles of the British Army in WW2 and I think that many other players want to see it in War Thunder too.
As for the battle rating, I think a BR between 3.7 and 4.7 in tier III would be balanced for it. It's armoured better than the M10 Achilles, but would be harder to use and slower.
 
Sources
http://www.tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/gb/Archer_17pdr_SPG.php
British Anti-tank guns 1939-1945 Osprey p22
http://ftr.wot-news.com/2013/12/16/the-archer/ (I know it's WoT related, but it's well-sourced. Pls don't kill me)

[CokeSpray 7,274]

Open for discussion. :Salute:

[GuiRitter 694]

I support, but I don't know where to start to think about what BR/Tier this should be. Please add a "Don't care" option to both questions of the poll.

[Luckyleprechaun 144]

I support, but I don't know where to start to think about what BR/Tier this should be. Please add a "Don't care" option to both questions of the poll.

If you don't care, just don't vote.

[GuiRitter 694]

If you don't care, just don't vote.

Fine, but it will be one less +1 in the poll.

[nemojac 1]

I think its a good suggestion, because it would give the Brits some good penetration at an early tier, with a somewhat balancing armor you might say.

[Naam54673 1,537]

+1.

[Luckyleprechaun 144]

The Archer SP is featured in the TD line of the confirmed tech tree now.

[Naam54673 1,537]

The Archer SP is featured in the TD line of the confirmed tech tree now.

[leroyonly 4,311]

As the archer was added as per update 1.55,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.