1:35 17pdr Self-Propelled Gun

Archer 17-pounder self-propelled gun 1:35 — Bronco

An injection-molded plastic kit of the British Archer 17-pounder self-propelled anti-tank gun in 1:35 scale from Bronco. The vehicle stands on the chassis of the Valentine infantry tank and is unmistakable in that its gun points to the rear.

The real subject

The Archer came out of necessity: the British needed to get the powerful 17-pounder gun onto a mobile chassis, but the weapon was too long for the small Valentine. The solution was unusual — the gun was seated in an open superstructure the other way round, with the barrel to the rear over the engine compartment. The vehicle thus could not fire in the direction of travel, but it was low and after a shot it drove straight forward out of the firing position, which turned out to be an advantage in defense. The crew, however, had to get out of the driver's position while firing, because the recoil of the weapon ran through it.

Building and painting tips

An open superstructure means that the interior and the gun are fully visible, so finish and paint them before you close the superstructure up. The barrel points to the rear, so it is conspicuous on the finished model: drill the muzzle out if it is not open. Assemble the Valentine-type running gear according to the instructions and check that both sides are at the same height. Empty cartridge cases and gear in the superstructure give a scene a story. The British olive color stands out with a dark wash and dust in the lower part.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of British armored hardware of the Second World War
• Modelers interested in unusual design solutions
• Builders of dioramas with an open fighting compartment
• Builders with basic experience

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.