AEC Matador
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| AEC O853 Matador | |
|---|---|
 AEC matador tows 3.7 inch gun, Caen, 7 August 1944. |
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| Type | Medium artillery tractor |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7.75 tons |
| Length | 20 ft 10 in |
| Width | 7 ft 10 in |
| Height | 9 ft 7 in |
| Crew | 1 |
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| Armour | none |
| Engine | AEC 7.6 litre diesel 95 hp |
| Payload capacity | 10-ton |
| Suspension | Wheel, 4 x 4 |
| Speed | 30 mph |
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. 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 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.
[edit] Service
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 was used as a refuelling tanker, capable of carrying 2,500 Imperial gallons of fuel and also for towing ashore Short Sunderland flying boats 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.
Scale model manufacturers Airfix make a version of the vehicle, as a gun tractor for the 5.5 inch gun.
[edit] See also
- Bedford QLD - 3 ton general service truck four wheel drive, 4WD, introduced 1941.
- Austin K2
- Canadian Military Pattern Field Artillery Tractor
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