Oxford Diecast 76AEC008

British Army AEC Matador Artillery Tractor - 1:76 Scale

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 3 (1923 to 1947) The Big Four (LNER, LMS, GWR and SR)
Era 4 (1948 to 1956) British Railways Early Crest
Era 5 (1956 to 1966) British Railways Late Crest
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)

Manufacturer description

This AEC Matador artillery tractor is a replica of the vehicle operated by the British and Commonwealth forces in France during WWII, where it was used mainly for towing medium sized guns. The Matador was a typical AEC vehicle of the period, with flat fronted cab to accommodate the crew of one, a curved roof and a canvas backed rear load area. It was a 4 x 4 vehicle with an AEC 7.6 litre engine and a speed of around 30 mph. Used by the British Army Royal Artillery, it is decorated in drab olive with a grey canvas back and features the name 'Gazala' above the split windscreen. The Battle of Gazala, named after a small town about 40 miles from Tobruk in Libya, was an important WWII battle in the Western Desert Campaign, which took place in the middle of 1942. After WWII, the Matador continued in a useful role as a recovery truck and general-purpose contractor vehicle. As a 4 x 4, it was also used for off-road jobs such as forestry and even saw service as a showmans vehicle.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast British Army AEC Matador Artillery Tractor – 1:76 Scale
Manufacturer part number: 76AEC008
Period represented by this model: British Railways Early Crest

The model is a replica of the AEC Matador artillery tractor used by British and Commonwealth forces in France during the Second World War. The vehicle was employed chiefly for towing medium‑sized guns. It features the typical AEC design of the era with a flat‑fronted cab for a single crew member, a curved roof and a canvas‑backed rear load area. The Matador is a 4 × 4 powered by an AEC 7.6‑litre engine and capable of about 30 mph. In the die‑cast version it is finished in drab olive with a grey canvas rear and bears the name “Gazala” above the split windscreen, referring to the Battle of Gazala (mid‑1942) in the Western Desert Campaign.

After the war the Matador continued in service as a recovery truck, a general‑purpose contractor vehicle and for off‑road tasks such as forestry. It was also occasionally employed as a showman's vehicle.