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This vehicle is currently on display at the Museum
This vehicle was designed in the 1960s as a replacement for the ageing Scammell Explorer and the surviving examples of its predecessor, the Scammell Pioneer. The chassis was a development of the Militant Mark 3, then being used as a military cargo vehicle. The Coles crane used was pedestal mounted and hydraulically powered. In its usual travelling position with the jib supported on struts, it could take the weight of a 10 ton truck on suspended tow. The crane could also be rotated to operate as a normal lifting crane for exchanging heavy components in tanks or trucks.
The AEC was powered by an six cylinder in line diesel engine. The mechanically driven main chassis winch, used in conjunction with a spade anchor was capable of most recovery winching tasks.
The short wheelbase of the vehicle caused some problems when taking a heavy vehicle on suspended tow up steep hills. A special compensator was designed which transferred force from the weight of the towed vehicle, to prevent the front of the recovery from lifting. The device was not easy to rig so it was not often used.
The AEC was introduced into service in 1971 and the last few were still in use, mainly by TA units, in the mid 1990s.
This vehicle arrived in the New Exhibition Hall on 15 June 1999.
Length |
8.23 m (27 ft) |
Width |
2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) |
Height |
3.10 m (10 ft 2 in) |
Wheelbase |
3.92 m (12 ft 10 in) |
Winch |
15 tonnes capacity |
Crane lift |
2.6 tonnes capacity (max) |
Engine |
AEC AV760 12.47 litre diesel |
Further information on AEC vehicles can be found on the pages of the AEC Society.
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Email Enquiries or telephone 0118 976 3375 for further information
Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 24 July 2004