AEC Matador gun tractor

[Mike Cecil]

Rick,

The 1944 Manual was also released in April 1943, without the 'Air Publication' numbering in the top right corner. The contents of both the 1943 'modified for Aust' manual and the British April 1943 manual appear to be the same at first glance, so I don't know what the mods for Australia were. Any idea?

In any event, the 'Mod for Aust' would mean that the Matadors in Australia were a purchase from the UK, rather than refugee cargo as some of the OY Bedford appear to be. This would also support the idea that some of the (later) OY Bedfords were also a purchase, rather than all being refugee cargo.

The big difference between the Matador two manuals is the quality of paper: the Brit manual is on far better quality paper, with a hard card cover, compared to the 'austerity' paper and flimsy card cover used for the 'Modified for Australia' version.

There was also a small driver's handbook for the AEC Matador - my copy is also marked with the Air Publication number and is dated April 1944. All three of the publications I have were obtained in Australia, so all must have been supplied for use with the vehicles. Registrations are spread over two series, so I wonder if the Matadors arrived in Australia in two batches, several months apart? That might account for the 1943 v 1944 dated publications.

The cam pattern as pictured in the images in all the manuals is the Brit 'Mickey Mouse' ears black/green disruptive pattern.

Mike