AEC Matador Driver’s Manual
During World War II, AEC emerged as one of the leading manufacturers worldwide specializing in four-wheel drive military vehicles.
Their journey began in 1938 with the introduction of the 3-ton Matador (4×4) Model 853 truck. It featured a 4-speed gearbox, 2-speed transfer case, hydraulic brakes with Lockheed pneumatic booster, spring suspension, and a 7-ton traction force winch.
Later versions were upgraded to include pneumatic brake drive. The Matador variant of the O853 model (with “O” denoting Oil) was powered by the A173 6-cylinder vortex-chamber diesel engine (7.6 liters, 95 horsepower) with a Ricardo cylinder head. The model 853, on the other hand, had a 92 horsepower overhead gasoline engine.
These trucks weighed 7,150 kilograms, had a ground clearance of 330 millimeters, and could reach a top speed of 60 kilometers per hour. They were primarily utilized as tractors for 5.5-inch machine guns. A total of 8,500 trucks were manufactured until the end of the war.
Many of the surplus trucks were converted into cranes and deployed for logging operations. In 1952, the Matador was succeeded by the Militant military series.
Language: English
Format: PDF
Pages: 68