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Britain's Associated Equipment Company (AEC) Armored Cars

AEC Mk II
Britain's AEC Mk II Armored Car
AEC Mk II
Britain's AEC Mk II Armored Car
AEC Mk II
Britain's AEC Mk II Armored Car
AEC Mk III
Britain's AEC Mk III Armored Car
AEC AA 1944
Britain's AEC AA Armored Car
     

Design

Associated Engineering Company Limited of Southall, London made this as a private venture based on the experiences in North Africa.4

The chassis was based on the Matador artillery tractor.4 Was a 4X4, but could be altered into a 4X2 with drive and steering in the front which was mainly used for road travel. The driver relied on periscopes when vehicle was completely closed up. When his hatch was open his seat could be raised so that his head could be out of the hatch.

Prototype

The first prototype appeared in early 1941 and the order was placed in June.

Production

Variants

Usage

North Africa

Most of the AEC Mk Is and AEC Mk IIs were sent to the 8th Army in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy.4

Yugoslavia

A few models were sent to the Yugoslavian partisans.

Northwest Europe

The AEC Mk III was used as a supporting vehicle to other armored cars.4

Post World War II

The Belgian Army used the AECs into the 1950s.4

  AEC AEC Mk I AEC Mk II AEC Mk II
Crew 3 or 41 32,4 42,4 42,4
Physical Characteristics        
Weight 11 tons1
11,175 kg1
24,640 lb
11 tons2
28,448 lb
12.7 tons2
28,448 lb
12.7 tons2,4
12,903.2 kg4
Length w/gun 17'1
5.18 m1
17'2
5.18 m2
17' 10"2
5.182 m2
18' 5"2,4
5.61 m4, 5.613 m2
Length w/o gun        
Height 8' 4"1
2.55 m1
8' 4.5"2, 8' 4.25"
2.55 m2
8' 10"2
2.69 m2
8' 10"2,4
2.69 m2,4
Width 8' 10.5", 9'1
2.74 m1
8' 10.5"2
2.7 m2
8' 10.5"2
2.7 m2
8' 10"4, 8' 10.5"2
2.69 m4, 2.7 m2
Ground clearance        
Ground contact length        
Ground pressure        
Turret ring diameter        
Armament        
Main 2 pdr, 6 pdr, or 75 mm1 40 mm2 57 mm2 75 mm M32,4
Secondary        
MG 7.92 mm Besa or 7.7 mm MG1      
MG - coaxial   7.92 mm Besa MG2   7.7 mm / .303" Besa MG4
Side arms        
Quantity        
Main        
Secondary        
MG        
Side arms        
Armor Thickness (mm) 571     304
Hull Front, Upper        
Hull Front, Lower        
Hull Sides, Upper        
Hull Sides, Lower        
Hull Rear        
Hull Top        
Hull Bottom        
Turret Front        
Turret Sides        
Turret Rear        
Turret Top        
Engine (Make / Model) AEC1 AEC2 AEC2 AEC2,4
Cylinders   62 62 62,4
Net HP   1052 1552, 158 1552,4, 158
Transmission        
Fuel type   Diesel2 Diesel2 Diesel2,4
Octane        
Capacity        
Performance        
Traverse        
Max Speed 40 mph1
65 kph1
36 mph2
58 kph2
41 mph2
66 kph2
41 mph2,4
66 kph2,4
Cross Country        
Road radius 250 miles1
400 km1
250 miles2
402 km2
250 miles2
402 km2
250 miles2,4
402 km2,4
Turning Radius        
Elevation Limits        
Fording depth        
Trench crossing        
Vertical Obstacle        
Suspension (Type)        
Wheels each side        
Return rollers each side        
Track length        
Tires        
Track width        
Track centers/tread        

Sources:

  1. The Encyclopedia of Tanks and Armored Fighting Vehicles - The Comprehensive Guide to Over 900 Armored Fighting Vehicles From 1915 to the Present Day, General Editor: Christopher F. Foss, 2002
  2. The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
  3. -
  4. World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
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