- Yes
- No
General Description & History:
The SP 17-Pdr A30 was a British self-propelled anti-tank vehicle developed toward the end of World War II. Based on the chassis of the A30 Challenger I, it was designed to carry the powerful 17-pounder anti-tank gun, similar to the one used in the Challenger but with modifications to suit its role.
The SP 17-Pdr A30 was created to provide mobile anti-tank support for British armored units. Unlike the Challenger, the SP 17-Pdr A30 featured an open-topped turret, which reduced weight and provided greater visibility but also made the crew more vulnerable to attacks, especially from artillery and infantry.
The SP 17-Pdr A30 was introduced late in the war and did not see combat during World War II. The design was quickly improved after initial testing with the addition of a turret canopy. This upgraded version was briefly used by British forces of the 10th Anti-tank Regiment in BAOR (British Army of the Rhine), but it was soon replaced by other tank destroyers and self-propelled guns.
The history of the SP 17-Pdr A30 during it’s time in BAOR is still waiting to be rediscovered, as little information is currently available. However, as noted above this surrounds the later model with the turret canopy, APDS, and smoke dischargers. The model presented here is the earliest version with A30 Challenger style tracks (no return rollers) and no roof canopy.
Vehicle Specifications:
Role in game:
What’s the point of this I here you ask? This would be classified as a Tank Destroyer and placed at BR 4.7.
Meanwhile, the current in game A30 Avenger would be given its missing APDS ammo, the multi-barrel smoke dischargers, and also reclassified as a Tank Destroyer at 5.3.
Courtesy of Ed Francis from Armoured Archives. This particular A30 Avenger is outfitted with wading gear, but is used purely as an example for the multi-barrel smoke dischargers.
Sources:
- Tank Archives: Cruiser with a Big Head
- Cruiser Mk.VIII Challenger (1943)
- Ed Francis for his archive digging and sharing images.
- A30 Challenger Tank A Technical History, P.M. Knight, ISBN-10: 1326483455
- Specifications taken from SP 17-Pdr A30 Workshop Manual
