Comparing: Churchill Gun Carrier vs. Achilles vs. Archer

The vehicle was developed on the basis of the Churchill tank. The cabin with the 3-inch gun was placed in the front. Initially, 100 vehicles were ordered. Later, the order was reduced to 24 vehicles. Eventually, a total of 50 vehicles were manufactured from 1941 through 1942. However, they never saw action.

The Achilles was a British variant of the American M10 GMC tank destroyer. Standard M10 gun was replaced by a more powerful British anti-tank Ordnance Quick-Firing 17-pounder gun. That allowed the tank destroyer to effectively battle against the German vehicles. In 1944 the re-equipping of the tank destroyer was launched, with a total of 1,100 vehicles re-equipped by the end of the war.

This powerful, lightly-armored tank destroyer was capable of engaging enemy tanks of any type at distances up to 1,000 meters. Top speed was relatively low because of the underpowered engine and weak suspension. Nonetheless, the Archer was a successful reuse of the outdated Valentine chassis. A total of 665 vehicles were built from 1943 through 1945.