76.2 mm QF 17 Pdr. Anti-Tank Gun

Development of the 17 pdr gun began in 1940 when the need for a more powerful anti-tank gun became apparent. The first 17 pdr guns were rushed to Tunis in May 1942 to fight the German Tiger tanks deployed there. Since the split trail carriage of the 17 pdr gun had not reached the production stage, these early 17 pdr guns were mounted on available 25 pdr chassis as a temporary measure. The resulting 17/25 pdr gun was codenamed "Pheasant". The production version of the 17 pdr gun first saw service during the 1943 Italian campaign. Wheeled gun tractors had difficulty moving and deploying the heavy 17 pdr anti-tank gun, and obsolete Crusader cruiser tanks were eventually converted to serve as 17 pdr A/T gun tractors. There are no dedicated Crusader Gun Tractors in 1:72 scale, but the Hasegawa Crusader III tank is suitable for conversions.

Available Scale Model Kits

• 17/25 pdr "Pheasant" Anti-Tank Gun (1942)
  • 17/15 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 20 mm SHQ FBG56
  • 17/25 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & 4 Crew, 15 mm Quick Reaction Force BAT2
  • 17/25 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 15 mm Flames of War BR520
• 17 Pdr. Anti-Tank Gun (1943)
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & Crew, 1:32 Mountford Miniatures MM139/00
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & Crew, 1:64 Westwind Productions WVGB3
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 20 mm SHQ BG48
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & Crew, 20 mm Raventhorpe BR-093
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 1:76 Hinchliffe 20/27
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 1:76 Matchbox
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 1:76 AB Figures AP6
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 15 mm Flames of War BR521
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun, 15 mm Quality Castings 2029
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & Crew, 15 mm Minifigs BV-82
  • 17 pdr Anti-Tank Gun & Crew, 1:300 HEROICS & ROS B38
• 17 pdr Ammunition Boxes (wood/metal), 1:76 Hinchliffe 20/SP/A9
• Crusader Gun Tractor, 1:35 Accurate Armour C41

Technical Specifications

• Calibre: 76.2 mm
• Barrel Length: L.58 (4420 mm)
• Weight: 1.144 kg
• Elevation: -6° to +16.5°
• Traverse: 60°
• Rate of Fire:
• Ammunition Weight: 7.260 g per AP round
• Muzzle Velocity: 884 m/sec AP
• Effective Range: 9.145 m HE
• Armour Penetration at 0-100 m:
  • 146 mm using A.P./T. (Armour Piercing Tracer, 1943)
  • 179 mm using A.P.C.B.C. (Capped Ballistic Capped, 1943)
  • 253 mm using A.P.D.S. (A.P. Discarding Sabot, 1944)

Bibliography

• Hogg, Ian: Twentieth-Century Artillery
• Weeks, John: Men Against Tanks

Historical Employment

• British & Commonwealth anti-tank gun, 1942
  • Anti-Tank Regiment
• British & Commonwealth tank gun, 1943
  • Sherman Firefly

Self-Propelled Mountings

• Archer 17 pdr Self-Propelled Gun
• Achilles Mk.I.C Tank Destroyer
• Achilles Mk.II.C Tank Destroyer

When the more powerful A.P.D.S. shells were introduced in 1944, the armour penetration of the 17 pdr. anti-tank gun was improved yet again. The 17 pdr gun in British service was replaced by 120 mm recoilless rifles after the war.

Frequently Asked Questions

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British Miniatures of World War Two

– Published: 26.04.2005 – Updated: 06.04.2011
© 2005-2011 by IDL Software GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany. All rights reserved.