Great Britain's Associated Equipment Company (AEC) Armored Cars

Design

Associated Engineering Company Limited made this as a private venture based on the experiences in North Africa.

Chassis

The chassis was based on the Matador artillery tractor.

Crew

The driver was able to raise and lower his seat when his hatch was open to allow him to see better. Otherwise, when the hatch was closed he had to rely on periscopes to see where he was going.

Drive

The AEC could be used as a 4x2 while on roads and a 4x4 over rougher terrain.

Prototype

The first prototype arrived in early 1941 with an order being placed in June.

Production

• AEC Mk I: 120
• AEC Mk II:
• AEC Mk III:
• Total: 629
• Manufacturer: AEC (Associated Engineering Company Ltd) of Southall, London

Variants

• AEC Mk I: Used same turret as Valentine.
• AEC Mk II: 57 mm / 6 pdr was installed. Had electric powered traversing turret.
• AEC Mk III: Installed a British copy of the US M3 75 mm tank gun. Had electric powered traversing turret.
• 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.

Yugoslavia

A few models were sent to the Yugoslavian partisans in 1944.

Italy

Most of the AEC Mk IIIs were used in Italy.

Northwest Europe

The AEC Mk III was used as a supporting vehicle to other armored cars in armored car regiments.

Post World War II

The Belgian Army used the AECs into the 1950s.