MidlandRed.net

A few more pictures of buses and other vehicles at Wythall on Sunday 09 Oct.

Once again a splendid set of photos, Tim. Thank you!

That recovery truck is mean!

MattW wrote: ↑

23:09 Thursday 13th October 2016

That recovery truck is mean!

Yes the Foden is a very powerful good looking vehicle with heavy lift capabilities, but it wouldn't pull a 5.5 inch medium gun through a desert or wet muddy field, or rescue broken down or stuck 4 x 2 wagons in similar conditions like a 4 x 4 WWII AEC Matador.

The following extract was taken with thanks from Wikipedia;

Description

The Matador was distinctive with its flat fronted cab with gently curved roof, wheels at the corners and a flat load carrying area covered by a canvas or tarpaulin tilt. The cab was made from ash and clad in steel. It was equipped with a winch (7-ton load in its case) like all artillery tractors. The O853 provided the basis for the 'Dorchester' armoured command vehicle.

AEC also produced a larger 'Marshall' 6x6 vehicle (model O854) based on the 4x4 Matador which were generally, if not officially, also called Matador. The O854 also provided the basis for an armoured command vehicle, the O857.

Service

About 9,000 Matadors were built, some going to the Royal Air Force (RAF).

For the British Army it fulfilled a role between field artillery tractors (FATs) such as the Morris C8 Quad, which towed smaller guns such as the 25-pounder gun-howitzer, and the Scammell Pioneer, used for towing the 7.2-inch howitzer. It was commonly used to tow the 5.5-inch medium gun and the QF 3.7-inch AA gun. The Matador was found to be a generally useful vehicle and was adapted for other roles including carrying a 25-pounder gun.[1]

The RAF used Matadors in the flat bed form for load carrying. The 6-wheeler Matador Type A with refuelling pumps and equipment by Zwicky Ltd, was used as a refuelling tanker, capable of carrying 2,500 Imperial gallons of fuel and also for towing ashore Short Sunderland flying boats at their stations.

In 1942/43 for the North African campaign some Matadors mounted the 6-pounder anti-tank gun to give the AEC Mk1 Gun Carrier "Deacon".

The Canadian Army used the Matador during the Second World War.

Post war the Matador was found in civilian use as a recovery truck, a showman's vehicle, and general contractor use. It was also useful for forestry work because of its good off-road performance.

I want one of those!

Matt, you could borrow it for recovering you various Fords.

No need for that!