📌 AEC Model 850 Artillery Tractor, IWM Duxford.
The AEC Model 850, also known as the 'FWD R6T' was available in two versions, as an Artillery Tractor and a Recovery Vehicle both used by the British Army, it was in production from 1929 to 1936 and 57 units and one prototype was produced. In 1928 several truck manufacturers were asked by the British Army to develop a Six-Wheel Drive Artillery Tractor. In addition to English companies such as Guy Motors, Leyland and Scammell, the American company FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company) with a branch in Slough, was also invited. The vehicles had to be able to carry a trailer load of approximately 6 tons.
FWD came up with the R6T, which was the manufacturer's first Six- Wheel Drive Vehicle, it was equipped with a Dorman JUL six-cylinder petrol engine with side valves, a 6.6 litre engine producing 78hp. All wheels were driven via a four-speed gearbox and an additional reduction gearbox allowing them to operate in high and low ranges could be used (4F1Rx2) In 1929 the prototype was delivered to the British Army for testing. At the end of that year, the vehicle came back to the factory. FWD was given an order for nine vehicles, but some changes were necessary. In 1929 FWD and AEC entered into a partnership, components were replaced with AEC equipment. The engine was replaced by an AEC A136 with overhead valves, which had a smaller displacement of 6.1 litres, but with 95hp it had more power. The gearbox was also exchanged for a version of AEC. Adjustments to the driver's cab and superstructure were also made, the most notable being the position of two Crew members next to the engine slightly ahead of the Driver. The cabin and cargo hold were open, but could be covered with a canvas roof.
In 1932 the English branch of FWD was taken over by AEC, the type designation of the vehicles changed from R6T to AEC Model 850. A total of 24 units were built at FWD in Slough and 33 units at the AEC factory in Southall between 1932 and 1936, a total production of 57 units. At the outbreak of World War Two, a number of vehicles were sent to France between 1939-1940 with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Many of them were left behind during the evacuation of the BEF in May 1940. The only surviving example is this one at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, which was fully restored in 1970.
▪︎Type: Artillery Tractor / Recovery Vehicle
▪︎Place of Origin: United Kingdom
▪︎In Service: 1939 to 1940
▪︎Used By: British Army
▪︎Conflicts: World War Two
▪︎Designer: FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company)
Designed:
▪︎Manufacturer: FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company) / AEC (Associated Equipment Company)
▪︎Crew: 1 Driver + 8 Crew
▪︎Produced: 1929 to 1936
▪︎Number Built: 57
▪︎Mass: 8.7 tons / Length: 19ft 3in / Width: 7ft 6in / Height: 8ft 7in
▪︎Powerplant: AEC A136 6.1 litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, 95hp
▪︎Drive: 6x6
▪︎Transmission: Four speed gearbox
▪︎Maximum Speed: 20mph.
Taken from Wikipedia nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEC_Model_850 and other sources.
📌 AEC Model 850 Artillery Tractor, IWM Duxford.
The AEC Model 850, also known as the 'FWD R6T' was available in two versions, as an Artillery Tractor and a Recovery Vehicle both used by the British Army, it was in production from 1929 to 1936 and 57 units and one prototype was produced. In 1928 several truck manufacturers were asked by the British Army to develop a Six-Wheel Drive Artillery Tractor. In addition to English companies such as Guy Motors, Leyland and Scammell, the American company FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company) with a branch in Slough, was also invited. The vehicles had to be able to carry a trailer load of approximately 6 tons.
FWD came up with the R6T, which was the manufacturer's first Six- Wheel Drive Vehicle, it was equipped with a Dorman JUL six-cylinder petrol engine with side valves, a 6.6 litre engine producing 78hp. All wheels were driven via a four-speed gearbox and an additional reduction gearbox allowing them to operate in high and low ranges could be used (4F1Rx2) In 1929 the prototype was delivered to the British Army for testing. At the end of that year, the vehicle came back to the factory. FWD was given an order for nine vehicles, but some changes were necessary. In 1929 FWD and AEC entered into a partnership, components were replaced with AEC equipment. The engine was replaced by an AEC A136 with overhead valves, which had a smaller displacement of 6.1 litres, but with 95hp it had more power. The gearbox was also exchanged for a version of AEC. Adjustments to the driver's cab and superstructure were also made, the most notable being the position of two Crew members next to the engine slightly ahead of the Driver. The cabin and cargo hold were open, but could be covered with a canvas roof.
In 1932 the English branch of FWD was taken over by AEC, the type designation of the vehicles changed from R6T to AEC Model 850. A total of 24 units were built at FWD in Slough and 33 units at the AEC factory in Southall between 1932 and 1936, a total production of 57 units. At the outbreak of World War Two, a number of vehicles were sent to France between 1939-1940 with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). Many of them were left behind during the evacuation of the BEF in May 1940. The only surviving example is this one at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, which was fully restored in 1970.
▪︎Type: Artillery Tractor / Recovery Vehicle
▪︎Place of Origin: United Kingdom
▪︎In Service: 1939 to 1940
▪︎Used By: British Army
▪︎Conflicts: World War Two
▪︎Designer: FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company)
Designed:
▪︎Manufacturer: FWD (Four Wheel Drive Lorry Company) / AEC (Associated Equipment Company)
▪︎Crew: 1 Driver + 8 Crew
▪︎Produced: 1929 to 1936
▪︎Number Built: 57
▪︎Mass: 8.7 tons / Length: 19ft 3in / Width: 7ft 6in / Height: 8ft 7in
▪︎Powerplant: AEC A136 6.1 litre 6-cylinder petrol engine, 95hp
▪︎Drive: 6x6
▪︎Transmission: Four speed gearbox
▪︎Maximum Speed: 20mph.
Taken from Wikipedia nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AEC_Model_850 and other sources.