Danish Army
Specific: Delivered by the British forces in
Germany in 1945 - 47.
Historical: The Matador originated from
a 4-ton 4 x 4 truck designed by Charles Cleaver and
produced by Hardy Motors and FWD in the early 1930´s.
Hardy Motors was absorbed by AEC (Associated Equipment
Company) in 1932 and the development work continued. By
1937 a prototype was ready and the Matador 853 with a
7.431 cm3 petrol engine appeared in 1938.
In 1938 the War Office placed an order for 200 vehicles
bodied for use as medium tractors, and the first
prototype was delivered on January 9th 1939. The first
production vehicle with diesel engine (O853) was
delivered in November 1939.
Intended as a medium artillery tractor (MAT), it was
mainly used to tow a 5.5" gun, filling the gap
between the Morris Quad Field Artillery Tractor and
Scammell Pioneer Heavy Artillery Tractor towing the 25
pdr and 7.2" gun respectively.
Due to it's reputation the Matador was often pressed
into service as a recovery tractor. Other variants were
carrying generators, and some were adapted to carry a 25
pdr gun. Also an Armoured Command Vehicle, the
Dorchester, was produced.
In late 1942 and early 1943 the "Deacon", an
armoured 6-pounder anti-tank gun on a Matador chassis,
was produced by Royal Park for the North African
campaign.
A 6 x 6 variant (O854) was also produced, mainly used as
tanker and mobile crane in the RAF.
Some 10.000 of the 4 x 4 version were produced from 1938
to November 1945.
A further requirement for trucks from the army led to 200
Matadors being produced in 2 batches in 1950 and 1951
respectively. It was done as a stopgap measure pending
the arrival of the Militant and the Leyland Martian.
The Royal Air Force ordered nearly 1.000 units in 1950,
but these were probably drawn from stocks held by AEC and
refurbished to "as new" condition..
The RAF used the Matador post-war as drawbar tractor, 5
ton cargo truck with steel body sides and as a generator
vehicle supplying power to airfield equipment. The latter
was very popular with fairground and circus showmen in
civi street.
The Matadors soldiered on until the early 1970´s where
they were disposed of.
Length: 6.32 m (249 inches).
Width: 2.39 m (94 inches).
Height: 3.10 m (122 inches).
Weight: 7.132 kg (15.850 lb.).
Engine: AEC 6-cylinder, type A173, 7.581 cm3 (462
cubic inches) displacement.
Horsepower: 95 at 1.780 rpm.
Transmission: 4-speed.
Transfer case: 2 speed.
Electrical system: Hybrid 12/24 volt.
Brakes: Hydraulic, air-assisted, (early production), full air (late
production).
Tyres: 13.50 - 20.
Fuel type: Diesel.
Fuel capacity: 182 liter (40 gallons).
Range: 575 km (360 miles).
Crew: N/A.
Additional: 5 or 7 ton Turner winch
could be mounted. The 1950´s batch was equipped with a
105 hp AEC A187 engine.
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