AEC Matador
Encyclopedia
The AEC Matador was an artillery tractor
built by the Associated Equipment Company for British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War.
AEC had already built a 4 x 2 lorry, also known as the Matador (all AEC lorries received 'M' names).
The Matador was distinctive with its flat fronted cab with gently curved roof, wheels at the corners and a flat load carrying area covered by a canvas or tarpaulin tilt. The cab was made from Ash
and clad in steel. It was equipped with a winch (7-ton load in its case) like all artillery tractors. The O853 provided the basis for the 'Dorchester' Armoured Command Vehicle
.
AEC also produced a larger 'Marshall' 6x6 vehicle (model O854) based on the 4x4 Matador which were generally, if not officially, also called Matador. The O854 also provided the basis for an Armoured Command Vehicle
, the O857.
About 9,000 Matadors were built, some going to the RAF
.
For the British Army
, it fulfilled a role between the Morris C8
Quad pulling smaller guns such as the 25 pdr Gun-Howitzer and the Scammell Pioneer
used for the 7.2 inch howitzer
, and was commonly used for the 5.5 inch Medium Gun
and the QF 3.75 inch AA gun. It was also found to be a generally useful vehicle and adapted for other roles including carrying a 25 pdr gun on the back.
The RAF used theirs in the flat bed form for load carrying. The 6-wheeler Matador Type A was used as a refuelling tanker, capable of carrying 2,500 Imperial gallons of fuel and also for towing ashore Short Sunderland
flying boat
s at their stations.
In 1942/43 for the North African campaign some Matadors mounted the 6 pounder anti-tank gun to give the AEC Mk1 Gun Carrier "Deacon"
.
Post war the Matador was found in civilian use as a recovery truck, a showmans vehicle, and general contractor use. Also useful for forestry work because of its good offroad performance.
Artillery tractor
Artillery tractor is a kind of tractor, also referred to as a gun tractor, a vehicle used to tow artillery pieces of varying weights.-Traction:...
built by the Associated Equipment Company for British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War.
AEC had already built a 4 x 2 lorry, also known as the Matador (all AEC lorries received 'M' names).
The Matador was distinctive with its flat fronted cab with gently curved roof, wheels at the corners and a flat load carrying area covered by a canvas or tarpaulin tilt. The cab was made from Ash
Ash tree
Fraxinus is a genus flowering plants in the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It contains 45-65 species of usually medium to large trees, mostly deciduous though a few subtropical species are evergreen. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name...
and clad in steel. It was equipped with a winch (7-ton load in its case) like all artillery tractors. The O853 provided the basis for the 'Dorchester' Armoured Command Vehicle
AEC Armoured Command Vehicle
AEC Armoured Command Vehicle was a series of command vehicles built by the British Associated Equipment Company during the Second World War.-History:...
.
AEC also produced a larger 'Marshall' 6x6 vehicle (model O854) based on the 4x4 Matador which were generally, if not officially, also called Matador. The O854 also provided the basis for an Armoured Command Vehicle
AEC Armoured Command Vehicle
AEC Armoured Command Vehicle was a series of command vehicles built by the British Associated Equipment Company during the Second World War.-History:...
, the O857.
Service
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
.
For the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, it fulfilled a role between the Morris C8
Morris C8
The Morris Commercial C8 FAT commonly known as a Quad was an artillery tractor of the British and Commonwealth forces during World War II....
Quad pulling smaller guns such as the 25 pdr Gun-Howitzer and the Scammell Pioneer
Scammell Pioneer
The Scammell Pioneer R100 was a British vehicle that was used in the Second World War. The basic vehicle was used as an artillery tractor for heavier pieces such as the 7.2 inch howitzer. This had an 8-ton winch and an overhead runway with a 10-cwt hoist. Early war use included towing the six inch...
used for the 7.2 inch howitzer
BL 7.2 inch Howitzer Mk.I
The BL 7.2 inch Howitzer Mk.I and subsequent marks were a series of heavy artillery pieces designed by the United Kingdom at the start of World War II. The 7.2 inch was not a new design, but instead a re-lined version of the 8 inch howitzers dating from World War I...
, and was commonly used for the 5.5 inch Medium Gun
BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun
The BL 5.5 inch Gun was a British artillery gun introduced during the middle of the Second World War to equip medium batteries.-History:In January 1939 a specification was issued for a gun to replace the 6 inch 26 cwt howitzers in use with most medium batteries...
and the QF 3.75 inch AA gun. It was also found to be a generally useful vehicle and adapted for other roles including carrying a 25 pdr gun on the back.
The RAF used theirs in the flat bed form for load carrying. The 6-wheeler Matador Type A was used as a refuelling tanker, capable of carrying 2,500 Imperial gallons of fuel and also for towing ashore Short Sunderland
Short Sunderland
The Short S.25 Sunderland was a British flying boat patrol bomber developed for the Royal Air Force by Short Brothers. It took its service name from the town and port of Sunderland in northeast England....
flying boat
Flying boat
A flying boat is a fixed-winged seaplane with a hull, allowing it to land on water. It differs from a float plane as it uses a purpose-designed fuselage which can float, granting the aircraft buoyancy. Flying boats may be stabilized by under-wing floats or by wing-like projections from the fuselage...
s at their stations.
In 1942/43 for the North African campaign some Matadors mounted the 6 pounder anti-tank gun to give the AEC Mk1 Gun Carrier "Deacon"
Deacon (artillery)
The AEC Mk I Gun Carrier, known as Deacon, was a British armoured fighting vehicle of the Second World War. It was an attempt to make the QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun into a self-propelled artillery piece...
.
Post war the Matador was found in civilian use as a recovery truck, a showmans vehicle, and general contractor use. Also useful for forestry work because of its good offroad performance.
See also
- Bedford QLDBedford QLDThe Bedford QLD was the GS cargo truck version of the QL series of truck, manufactured by Bedford Vehicles, for use by the British Armed Forces in World War II.-History:...
- 3 ton general service truck four wheel drive, 4WD, introduced 1941. - Austin K2Austin K2The Austin K2/Y was a British heavy military ambulance built by the Austin Motor Company for use during the Second World War.The rear body, built by Mann Egerton, could take ten casualties sitting or four stretcher cases...
- Canadian Military Pattern Field Artillery TractorCMP FATThe CMP FAT , officially the Chevrolet 8440/CGT Tractor, 4x4, Field Artillery, was an artillery tractor of the British and Commonwealth forces during World War II...