AEC Dorchester

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi gals & guys

The more I look in this lucky country of ours the more I'm amazed at the variety of military vehicles we have and more significantly the rareity of some. Recently one of our members did a field trip to West Australia and met up with Bob Dimer. Bob possesses amongst other vehicles one of these Dorchesters of which allegedly there are only five known examples left in the world, three in UK museums, one in a scrap yard in Scotland and Bobs.

I obtained photos of Bobs from our member and Bob has kindly given permission for them to be shared with the world.

I won't bore you with vehicle data, there are plenty of sites detailing this, so enjoy the view. There are ten images starting with Bob and the vehicle.

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Pic 6 - 10

Hope you enjoyed the picture show of the AEC armoured command vehicle Dorchester.

Bob

[gordon]

Well, let's see now,

here's an image or MORITZ, or whatever Rommel's was called...

http://www.gwim2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/MOR.jpg

[gordon]

http://www.gwim2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ARMAT1.jpg
http://www.gwim2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ARMAT2.jpg

Here's two of the Scottish survivor in Ross's garage at Girvan. Note the thin curved sheetmetal down the roof line, which I assume was to allow canvas to be draped over it and make it look more like an ordianry truck.

Legend has it Jackson at Doncaster has (or had) another which had been used ar an armoured fire engine, and according to Jim Webster there was also one in Bovington or the IWM plus half a dozen in Turkey somewhere in a scrapyard.

Gordon

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

FarleY Mowat, an officer with the Hastings & Prince Edward Regiment ("Hasty-Pees"), this taken in Ortona, January 1944.

I'd dearly LOVE to see one of these vehicles restored and running again...

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I'd dearly LOVE to see one of these vehicles restored and running again...

Geoff,
There was one at IWM Duxford and at one of the shows there, some years back, they had it out. No doubt it is still there.

Richard

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Richard,

I don't remember seeing it when I was there in 2001, although I have the excuse that the whole place had me a bit stunned. I really do think, though, that Gordon should "liberate" that example in Scotland and at least hold it for one of us to claim and restore.

Farley's "Iron Pig" is a favourite of his in his writings, and I'm sure both he and the Regimental Association would be delighted if we could get another one up and running.

Gordon?

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
I don't remember seeing it when I was there in 2001,

Geoff,
Take a look at the following webpage, it has a superb pic of Duxford's Dorchester, restored to its wartime finish in a diorama setting along with a BSA M20 motorcycle and a Carrier.

http://www.users.waitrose.com/~vanga...rchester_3.htm

Richard

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

Now that you've made an idiot out of me...

But I STILL want Gordon to rescue this Scottish one!!

[Richard Farrant]

Originally posted by Geoff Winnington-Ball
Now that you've made an idiot out of me...

Me ? Do a thing like that ? No........

To be perfectly honest, I have not been to Duxford for years and was not sure it was still there.

As a matter of interest, I did see an AEC 6x6 ACV in Pounds yard at Portsmouth last year, whilst driving by.

Richard

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
As a matter of interest, I did see an AEC 6x6 ACV in Pounds yard at Portsmouth last year, whilst driving by.

I sat in that very same ACV at Pounds Yard in 1985. It since moved out there to become part of a collection related to the War & Peace show. Sadly, while sitting outside for a few days waiting to be transported the vehicle was vandalised by kids. The result was the original interior was burned beyond repair....

[chris vickery]

I believe this vehicle was used by the Canadian army during the Second World War. According to Dr. Bill Gregg's "Canadian Military Vehicle Series" as follows: Armoured command vehicle, high power (Matador, 4x4, 151wb) manufactured by Associated Equipment Co. Operational role used by RC Sigs at Armd Div HQ as HP wireless control terminal for communications between main and rear corps and between main and rear div. Also serves as office for members of div. staff.

Originally posted by Richard Farrant
There was one at IWM Duxford and at one of the shows there, some years back, they had it out. No doubt it is still there.

There's a complete one fitted out in the Royal Sigs Museum at Blandford; driven in there some years ago and really needs only a bit of TLC and a set of tyres to be a runner. The old boy who kept it fettled has long gone. . . . . . . . .

R.

Originally posted by gordon
Well, let's see now,

here's an image or MORITZ, or whatever Rommel's was called

Mammut (Mammoth) I think and by all accounts Erwin was much enamoured with it.

R.

[Philliphastings]

There is or certainly was, a rather stripped hull of one at the Army Tank Museum workshop annexe some years ago now...

I think Bob's here in Perth has a much better chance of coming back to life though. I have seen it first hand and the vehicle is capable of being driven, though the interior is quite bare.

Cheers

Phill Hastings

[Philliphastings]

Hello again.

Louis Meulstee's 'Wireless for the Warrior Vol 2' has some excellent line drawings showing the various types of radio equipment which these vehicles carried and includes enough info to picture the interior fitout.

Cheers

Phill Hastings

[gordon]

I bought diagrammes of the interior layout(s) at Beltring, can't put my hands on them at the minute.

Gordon

[Philliphastings]

Hello Gordon,

Unfortunately I can't submit the diagrams I mentioned. The stowage diagrams you have may be different and more detailed. If they are of interest to the owner of the WA one, would you be prepared to copy them ?

I may be interested myself as I have an interest in the field and have offered to lend a hand when the time comes one day to fit out the vehicle.

Cheers

Phill Hastings

[gordon]

http://www.gwim2.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/AEC01.jpg

I managed to find them, there's about 20 sheets details for HP, LP, and 6 x 6 versions, all dated 1943 and 1944.



Some are sequenced TD 18400 and TD 13729, dated 1943, showing all the detail you would ever need of comaprtment interiors and external stowage, then there is a chassis view, a 3 position view of the 6 x 6 dated 1944, and frame, suspension, and tentage details.

I'd rather not land myself with the job of scanning the lot, so file my e-mail address away till you need all this, by which time I may be back at work and somewhere near a photocopier.

Gordon

[Philliphastings]

Thanks for the pic Gordon.

There is no hurry whatsoever and of course all costs will be reimbursed. I will be in touch with the owner and see if he has the need, but as I said I may be interested myself as AFV (and ACV) wireless installations and restoration is my main field of interest these days...

Cheers

Phill Hastings

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by gordon
here's an image or MORITZ, or whatever Rommel's was called...

And here's Max, it's companion vehicle (picture was recently auctioned on eBay).

[Rod Diery]

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
Bob possesses amongst other vehicles one of these Dorchesters of which allegedly there are only five known examples left in the world, three in UK museums, one in a scrap yard in Scotland and Bobs.

Don't forget this one at the Army Tank Museum at Puckapunyal in Victoria. The also have the original chassis complete with all mechanical parts but it was too dificult to photograph when I was there.

Cheers
Rod

front view

[Hanno Spoelstra]

At least three of these vehicles were captured by the Germans early in the North African campaign and used with great joy by the DAK, being christened "Mammoths" by them. To read more see The "MAMMUTS".

[Les Freathy]

Picking up on a past thread, mention was made of the Duxford example, i was there the year they rolled it out. I never did see it move so cannot comment if it was arunner at this time i cant even remember the date but it was a few years ago
Photo shows it in preety good shape w
but with tatty paint work
Les

[Les Freathy]

preety what the hell am i saying, a WW 2 photo for luck

[Panzerserra]

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