AEC Matador gun tractor

[Mike Cecil]

Cliff,

Total of 66 registered. Used to tow 3.7-inch HAA (mobile mount) guns, 155mm M1917 & M1918 guns, and sundry other tasks requiring a medium gun tractor. Disposed of shortly after the end of the war, in favour of retaining the Mack 6x6.

There were a couple in use at a quarry near Geelong, one configured as a crane the other as the quarry ANFO truck (but pensioned off - no longer considered 'safe' by the then-current standards). The ex-crane truck rolling chassis ended up with Bob Dimer in Perth, to be used as the base for his AEC ACV hull. Don't know what happened to that project after Bob passed away.

Mike

[lynx42]

C J Richards Sawmill at Mt. Taylor had at least two. I recovered some White scout car parts from the mill and had a good look at them. They ended up in the great scrap drive a few years ago after Tony L. and I agreed to take them and we were too slow.

Tony L. has another with a more modern cabin on it stored at Rick S. farm in SA.

Regards Rick.

[cliff]

Thanks Guys. Were they painted in Australian KG3?

[Mike K]

There was, years ago, the remains of one on the roadside as you turned off the Hume Hwy , I think it was Holbrook

I had a maintenance manual. Printed on the cover , was something similar to "Australia contract " . I sold it to a UK restorer

[Mike Cecil]

Cliff,

The one in the image you posted appears to be a base coat of KG3 or KG-J, with a disruptive pattern of light earth.

Mike

[lynx42]

After the Matadors at Mt. Taylor went to China, I was able to purchase the Maintenance Manuals they had there. 1943 Book No. 101/FW1 which is for (modified for Australia) and 1944 Book No. 101/FW1A Air Publication with a different cover and no mention of (modified for Australia).

Here are the covers.

img116.jpg

101/FW1

img115.jpg

101/FW1A

img117.jpg

Pictures from inside of the 3/4 front view,

img118.jpg

and the 3/4 rear view. but these may be the British colour scheme as it looks like Micky Mouse cammo.

Regards Rick.

[Philliphastings]

I purchased the AEC Armoured Command Vehicle off Bob Dimer in 2006 and began slowly restoring it for display in the Merredin (WA) Military Museum. I was in good running order and drove well - albeit minus air brakes ! I have a newspaper article from the time it arrived in Merredin.

I had collected a full set of correct radio gear (which I still have) and had sets of the plans and stowage sketches.

Unfortunately after exhausting my meagre funds on the AEC and M3 Stuart Tank, I had to let one go and so after being pestered endlessly for some time it passed to another collector who restored it externally. Last I heard it was resident in the Merredin Military Museum with a different interior fit out than the plans I had.

Perhaps one of our WA based MLUers can provide updated info on it's current whereabouts ?

Regards

Phill