AEC Matador Found - Western Australia

[Mike Cecil]

Records indicate 66 AEC Matador tractors were received during the Second World War, along with 7 AEC Dorchester ACVs.
The tractors were classed a medium artillery tractors and were used for towing the 3.7 inch HAA gun and 155 mm Medium artillery. They were superseded by the US military Mack 6x6 artillery tractor.

Most of the ACVs remained in service post-war, being disposed on in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The chassis Bob Dimer sourced for the ACV hull came from near Geelong, Victoria. It was an artillery tractor chassis that had been converted into a crane. The crane was removed and retained by the owner, Bob acquiring the rolling chassis with engine, etc. He retrieved it himself, driving Perth-Melb & return in his Ford? truck with the red & white cab. He delivered a Humber Box to Melb on the outward journey, and returned to Perth with the AEC chassis - a mammoth effort!

Mike

[Lynn Eades]

I Assume the complete Dorchester is still in the Meriden Museum?

[Mike Cecil]

No: Newcastle, NSW, I think. There is video of it on FB.

[Mike K]

I did have a wartime dated AEC Matador maintenance manual. Printed on the front cover was something like: 'For Australia' or 'Australian delivery'

The AEC factory was in a suburb of London. Bevan F told me: as a kid he used to see the brand new Matadors being driven around with the drivers rugged up in Winter outfits.

https://www.nationaltransporttrust.o...works-southall

Remains of a AEC Matador sat beside the Hume Hwy up towards Holbrook NSW. Used to see this AEC as you turned off the Hume to head towards Wagga , a cab and other bits, this was many years ago.

[Mike K]

1946 Convoy

And a pic: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1140360