17 pdr Gun SP M10

17 pdr Gun SP M10

The 17 pdr Gun SP M10 was essentially the 3 inch Gun Motor Carriage M10 with the gun changed for the more powerful 17 pdr. Conversion began in April 1944 but by the 6th June (D Day) only 124 had been converted. Production was increased and by the end of the year 816 had been completed. By the end of the war about 1,100 had been converted.

There is still some uncertainty as to where and when the name Achilles was applied to the vehicle but in service they were generally referred to by their crews as the M10 17 pdr. Depending on which version of the M10 the conversion was based on the designation IC or IIC was added i.e. 17 pdr Gun SP M10 IIC.

Gun

Mark 6Mk 1 with altered breech ring to suit M10 mounting

Data

Weight of gun & breech mechanism1,822 lbs
Total Length180.35 inches
Length of Bore165.45 inches (55 calibres)
Rifling20 grooves, uniform Right Hand 1/30
Breech MechanismVertical sliding block, semi-automatic, percussion fired
Elevation-5° to +20°
Traverse360°
Recoil SystemHydro-pneumatic, constant, 40 inches
Weight in action4,624 lbs

Performance

See 17 pdr Gun page

Carriage M10

See 3 inch Gun SP M10 page

The Royal Artillery 1939-45