The A30 specification reduced weight and enabled the use of Cromwell tank components as a design expedient. While the A29 was eventually cancelled without a successful design being produced, an amended specification, A30, reached production in 1943. A new British tank specification, A29, was produced to meet the need for a 17-pounder armed cruiser tank. However, few tanks were capable of carrying such a large gun due to the size limitations of their turret rings. The 17-pounder outperformed all other Allied armour-piercing guns, and was quickly adapted for use on various tank chassis.
#Comet tank series#
After Korea, the gun was largely replaced in the tank role by the 84mm calibre, Ordnance QF 20 pounder, and in the anti-tank role by the BAT, MOBAT and 120 mm L6 WOMBAT series of recoilless rifles.Ī Sherman Firefly with the 17-pounder, South African National Museum of Military History, 2014 The 17-pounder anti-tank guns also saw action in Korea against tanks and in general support use against bunker positions.
They became one of the most effective weapons on the battlefield, on both carriages and tanks. They first saw action in February 1943.įully developed 17-pounders started production in 1943 and were first used during the Italian Campaign. These early weapons were known as 17/25-pounders and given the codename Pheasant. So great was the rush that they were sent before proper carriages had been developed, and the guns had to be mounted in the carriages of 25-pounder gun- howitzers. A prototype production line was set up in spring 1942, and with the appearance of Tiger I tanks in early 1943 in the North African Campaign, the first 100 prototype 17-pounder anti-tank guns were quickly sent to help counter this new threat.
In late 1940, the design of a replacement began, and was largely completed by the end of 1941. 'Pheasant' 17-pdr anti-tank gun in action at the Battle of Medenine, Tunisia, 11 March 1943īefore the QF 6-pounder had entered service, the British predicted that it would soon be inadequate given the increasing armour of German tanks.
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