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Britain's Associated Equipment Company (AEC) Armored Cars
AEC Mk II  |
AEC Mk II  |
AEC Mk II  |
AEC Mk III  |
AEC AA 1944 |
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
- AEC Mk I: 1202,4
- AEC Mk II:
- AEC Mk III:
- Total: 6294
Variants
- AEC Mk I: Used same turret as Valentine.4
- AEC Mk II: Troops in the field were needing something more powerful so a 6 pdr was installed.4 Had electric powered traversing turret.
- AEC Mk III: Installed a British copy of the US M3 75 mm tank gun.4 Used mostly in Italy as fire support for armored car regiments, however a few were sent to Europe. Had electric powered traversing turret. Could be switched from 2 wheel to 4 wheel drive.4
- AEC AA: Prototype only.
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:
- 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
- The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop, 1998
- -
- World Encyclopedia of Armored Fighting Vehicles, Jack Livesey, 2006
