AEC Matador Taking the Rough with the Smooth

AEC Matador Taking the Rough with the Smooth

The AEC Model (O)853 Matador and the Model (O)854 The AEC Matador Story by Steve Richards The book falls into three parts. The first deals with th Model (O)853 Matador, the second with the Model (O)854 and the third is a fascinating assortment of related articles by way of Appendices. The last of these is compiled by John Harrington and lists more than 200 surviving Matadors.From Pat Ware’s Foreword… ‘Quintessentially British, the AEC Matador is one of the unsung automotive heroes of WW2. Whilst there have been several histories of the AEC company which briefly touch on the model, this is the first time that the Matador has been the star of the show. Steve Richards is to be congratulated for this fascinating insight into the development and career of what is possibly AEC’s finest product.

Section headings in the book are:

Part One 

The AEC (O)853 4x4 Matador/Armoured Command Vehicle/Deacon SP Gun and Civilian Adaptations

 

Named Matador

Before The War

Into Action

Other Roles For The O853 Chassis

Desert Victory And On …

Telling Their Stories – The Men In Khaki

RAF Service

Telling Their Stories – The Men In Blue

Post-War Production

Design And Manufacture

Civilian Use

Telling Their Stories – Current Operators

 

Part Two 

The AEC (O)854 6x6 Refueller/Coles Crane/Mobile Oxygen - Nitrogen Plant

What’s In A Name?

Refuellers

Lift That Load

It’s A Gas Working In Tandem

Into The Jet Age

Army Interest

 

Epilogue

 

Appendix A   Military colours -    RAF, Army

Appendix B   AEC Types Referred To In The Main Text

Appendix C   The Irish Matadors

Appendix D   FWD, Hardy and AEC

Appendix E   The Douglas Timber Tractor – Part of the Matador family

Appendix F    Flaming AECs

Appendix G   AEC 1912-1979

Appendix H   Getting To Grips With ‘All Wheel Drive’

Appendix  I    Surviving AEC O853/(O)854 Vehicles