AEC Y Type facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AEC Y Type |
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AEC Y Type, 1917
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| Type | 3-ton lorry |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United Kingdom United States |
| Wars | First World War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Associated Equipment Company |
| Manufacturer | Associated Equipment Company |
| Produced | 1915–1922 |
| No. built | ≈10,000 |
| Variants | Y Type, YA, YB & YC |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 4.28 t (4.21 long tons) |
| Length | 23 ft 6 in (7.16 m) 14 ft 3 in (4.34 m) wheelbase |
| Width | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
| Height | 10 ft 2 in (3.10 m) |
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| Engine | Y Type: Daimler inline 4-cylinder 5.7 L petrol 40 bhp (30 kW) at 1,300 rpm YA, YB & YC: Tylor 4-cylinder 7.7 L petrol 49 bhp (37 kW) at 1,300 rpm |
| Payload capacity | 3 long tons (3.0 t) |
| Drive | 4x2 |
| Transmission | 4 Forward, 1 reverse gear |
| Suspension | Semi-elliptical multi-leaf springs |
| Maximum speed | 12 mph (19 km/h) |
| References | A complete directory of military vehicles |
The AEC Y Type was a very important British truck. It was built by a company called the Associated Equipment Company (AEC). This tough vehicle was used a lot by the British Army during the First World War. It helped move supplies and soldiers where they needed to go.
Contents
What Was the AEC Y Type?
The original Y Type was a strong truck that could carry about 3 tons of weight. It had a special engine from Daimler that used petrol. This engine had four cylinders and could produce 40 horsepower. The truck had a four-speed gearbox, which helped it move.
How Was It Designed?
The Y Type had solid rubber tyres, which were common for trucks back then. It also had an open cab, which means it didn't have a solid roof. Instead, it had a canvas cover to protect the driver. The back of the truck had a wooden body with fixed sides, perfect for carrying military cargo.
Different Versions of the Y Type
Over time, the Y Type got some upgrades.
- The YA version, made in 1917, got a new, more powerful Tylor engine. This engine had 49 horsepower.
- The YB version introduced a stronger frame made of pressed steel.
- The YC version used a special type of gear system called a worm-gear final drive to help it move.
History of the AEC Y Type
The AEC company first introduced the Y Type truck in March 1915. It was an improved version of their older trucks, designed to be even tougher. Even though AEC built the trucks, they were first sold under the Daimler brand. This was because of a sales agreement.
A Change in Branding
In June 1916, the British government took control of AEC's factory in Walthamstow. From then on, the trucks were officially branded as AEC. However, they kept the distinctive Daimler-style front radiator.
Helping in the War
The Y Type trucks were in very high demand during the First World War. They were crucial for moving supplies to the front lines. To build them faster, AEC set up a moving assembly line in 1917. This allowed them to make 130 truck chassis every week!
Besides the British forces, the United States Army also used these trucks in France. By the end of the war in November 1918, AEC had built 8,821 Y Type trucks. More than half of these (5,200) had the newer Tylor engine.
After the War
Even after the war ended, the British War Office bought more Y Type trucks. Production continued for regular customers until 1922. Many Y Type trucks were later sold to people for civilian use. Often, their military bodies were removed, and they were turned into buses to carry passengers.
