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 They were superseded by the US military Mack 6x6 artillery tractor.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