Oxford Diecast 76AEC020

Tripoli, Libya AEC Matador Artillery Tractor

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

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.  The British military saw the AEC as an essential vehicle during World War II and it saw service in many roles both during and after the conflict. RAF Idris was an RAF base between 1943 and 1966. The station was used during the War as a convenient base for several squadrons involved in the desert war. Afterwards, the RAF used it for military manoeuvres in the neighbouring desert. The British Forces left in 1966 when Libya became a republic. At that point, the station became Libya’s Idris Airport before ultimately being renamed Tripoli International Airport.

 This 1:76 scale AEC Matador model, features in a simple black and white chequered colour scheme, including a white roof and black wheels, as used by the RAF Desert Rescue Team in North Africa. The RAF roundel is printed on one side of the flat front and RAF Idris is printed on the side doors.  Registered 77 AE 11, its purpose is also highlighted by the Desert Rescue wording above the windscreen. On this model too, note the addition of a spotlight on the front of the roof above the signage. Additional external masking is finished in silver while the interior is moulded black with black steering wheel.

 After WWII, the Matador continued in a useful role as a recovery truck and general-purpose contractor vehicle. As a 4 x 4, its versatility saw it also used for off-road jobs and even saw service as a showmans vehicle. You’ve seen many of these different AEC Matador uses replicated in the Oxford ranges in both military and civilian guise.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Tripoli, Libya AEC Matador Artillery Tractor is a 1:76 scale model of the AEC Matador, a British 4 × 4 artillery tractor used during and after the Second World War. The model bears the manufacturer part number 76AEC020 and represents the vehicle in the British Railways Early Crest period.

The Matador featured a flat‑fronted cab for a single crew member, a curved roof and a canvas‑backed rear load area. It was powered by an AEC 7.6 litre engine and could reach a speed of about 30 mph. Throughout the war it served in a variety of roles, including as a recovery truck, general‑purpose contractor vehicle and, later, as a showman’s vehicle.

This particular diecast version carries a simple black and white chequered colour scheme with a white roof, black wheels and a silver‑coloured external masking. The RAF roundel is printed on one side of the flat front, “RAF Idris” is marked on the side doors, and “Desert Rescue” appears above the windscreen together with a spotlight mounted on the roof. The interior is moulded black and the steering wheel is black, while the registration plate is shown as 77 AE 11.

RAF Idris, the base shown on the model, operated from 1943 to 1966 as a desert war station and later for military manoeuvres. After the British forces withdrew in 1966 the site became Libya’s Idris Airport and subsequently Tripoli International Airport. The model reflects the vehicle’s use by the RAF Desert Rescue Team in North Africa.