Aec "dorchester" armoured command vehicle

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by cliff

Not really as it is a truck chassis under all that armour plate

That is one way of looking at it, Cliff, but what about the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost based Armoured Cars and many other commercially based armoured vehicles.

They are nearly always are in the Armoured section, not the Soft Skin Forum.

Maybe this is one for the other moderators to decide on.

Regards Rick.

PS.Have you got dry feet yet?

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Cliff - back in 2003 I was communicating with Bob Dimer in the west. The subjec of a Dorchester came up and as I did not know a Dorchester from a lettuce Bob sent me some images of his. Unfortunately Bob is no longer with us but maybe his images can help you with your model.

Bob

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

More images

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Last one. Bob is no longer with us but hopefully his legacies live on.

Bob

[cliff]

Thanks Bob. Be nice to know where his Dorchester is now

[JackM]

Originally Posted by cliff

Thanks Bob. Be nice to know where his Dorchester is now

Cliff,

The Dorchester has changed hands a couple of times since Bob D put chassis and body together. The current owner has done some first rate work on both the interior and exterior. It regularly appears at the annual Bruce Rock Veterans Re-union.

As was mentioned by Euan, the vehicle now graces the Merredin Military Museum, on loan from its owner and is shown here in company with a Cent at one of the recent Bruce Rock gatherings.




Jack

[Allan Currey]

Hi Cliff,

First of all, I'm no expert on Dorchesters, but want to make a model myself, so was doing some research. There seems to be some uncertainty around identifying the different versions.
Having said that, it does appear that one way to tell high power versions is the vents on the left side above the wheel arch, and on the back. These are because HP versions carried an internal 1260 watt charging set, whereas LP versions carried a 550 watt set under the floor (I suspect that may be part C7 in the AFV Club model).
As for radios, apparently LPs carried low and high power No.19 sets; and HPs had a No.19 set and an RCA receiver (I don't know what sort exactly).
The other mystery, for me anyway, is the curved metal sheets over the top edges. It was a disguise supposed to make the ACV look more like a GS truck, but I'm not sure if it was used on LPs, HPs, or both.
One last bit, the RAAC museum lists their ACV as a HP. Maybe all Aussie ones could have been. If HP gave greater radio range, that would make sense for use in Australia.

Hope that helps,
Allan

[cliff]

Originally Posted by lynx42

That is one way of looking at it, Cliff, but what about the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost based Armoured Cars and many other commercially based armoured vehicles.

They are nearly always are in the Armoured section, not the Soft Skin Forum.

Maybe this is one for the other moderators to decide on.

Regards Rick.

PS.Have you got dry feet yet?

Hi Rick,

I am happy with my post in the Softskin section and I know even among modelers there is a difference of opinion over whether to class them as Armour or softskin And why should the other moderators decide on this anyway?

As to dry feet what are they? We saw a small amount of sunshine yesterday but they tell us there is more rain coming so still time for another flood up here yet!

[Mike Cecil]

Seven AEC ACVs on the Australian inventory. Last disposed of in about 1960.

Bob Dimer had the hull: he sourced a rolling chassis from Geelong, Victoria (via me: that's how I know).

Mike C

[Allan Currey]

I came across this picture, must be in an Australian museum somewhere, maybe WA? It seems to carry the same ARN as Bob Dimer's did.
Also, all the pictures of these in Australia show High Power versions with the vents, so were any of the 7 we had Low Power? (as per the kit you have Cliff)

Cheers,
Allan

[Euan McDonald]

The last time I saw Bob's AEC was in the yard of the Merredin Military museum.
It was very late one night when i looked over the fence but it did look like it had a lot of work done on it since Bob owned it. I think it may be owned by Mal but maybe one of the westerners can update us.
The pic attached was found in an old post by Jack from WA.

[cliff]

OK Guys you talk about high power and low power with the hi power type having vents. Where and what are these vents?

Are they the two louvre type vents on the rear and LHS rear? These would be easy enough for me to make if they are. Did the HiPower have different radios? If so what type/s?