Associated Equipment Company (AEC), who was best known by London double deck buses, was awarded with a contract from the Ministry of War Transport in April 1940, to produce a Matador 4×4 artillery tractor and an armored commander vehicle with Matador 4×4 chassis. By 1941, AEC devoted itself to military needs totally, and the armored commander vehicle entered mass production. With armor up 10-12 mm thick and weight up to 12.2 tons, the vehicle was able to accommodate up to 7-8 personnel. High Power and Low Power versions were built, with different radio equipment. A total of 415 were produced. It was nicknamed Dorchester by the troops, after the luxury hotel in London because it is very comfortable. The AEC Armored Command Vehicle firstly saw service in North Africa Campaigns in the British Army service and throughout the war. 7 vehicles were handed to the Australian troops.
The kit consists of 14 plastic sprues and 1 etched fret with:
- 525 parts in light beige plastic
- 18 clear parts
- 36 PE parts 4 vinyl tIres
- 1 decal sheet
- 1 sheet of printed maps
- 1 paper sheet for the annex canvas cover
- 1 x 16 page instruction booklet.