AEC Mk II

AEC Mk II

AEC Mk II

Britain

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	3.0	3.0

Class:

PREMIUM

Light tank

Purchase:Bundle or Gift

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Description

The AEC Mk.II is a gift Rank II British light tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced during Update 1.75 "La Résistance" in the 2017 "Festive Quest" that took place between 22 December 2017 to 22 January 2018. It was obtained via completing 7 tanker's Christmas toys.

The AEC Mk. II looks fairly similar to the Armored Car Mk.II AA, mostly because it is, just with a different turret housing a 57 mm 6-Pounder cannon, rather than two synchronized Oerlikon 20 mm Anti-Aircraft cannons. As such, the vehicle has a lower profile than its predecessor, which grants it more stealth capabilities. In addition, there is a 7.62 mm BESA machine gun for use, which is nice for dealing with lightly armoured targets such as open-topped Anti-Aircraft vehicles and SPGs.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

• Rolled homogeneous armour
• Structural steel (Sand skirts)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	25 mm (63-78°) Front glacis 10 mm (41°) Lower glacis 5 mm (49°) + 57 mm Joint plate	16 mm (0-1°)	16 mm (58°) Top 16 mm (13-14°) Bottom	16 mm
Turret	57 mm (0-1°) Turret front 31 mm (0-45°) Gun mantlet	25 mm (0-1°)	25 mm (0-60°)	16 mm

Notes:

• Wheels are 2 mm thick.
• Chassis is 5 mm thick.

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons)	Add-on Armor weight (tons)	Max speed (km/h)
12.1	N/A	87 (AB)
		78 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	245	301
Realistic/Simulator	140	158
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	20.25	24.88
Realistic/Simulator	11.57	13.06

Armaments

Main armament

57 mm OQF 6-pounder Mk.V
Capacity			Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance	Stabilizer
60			-12°/+20°	±180°	Vertical
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode	Stock	Upgraded	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
Arcade	22.85	31.62	38.40	42.46	45.18
Realistic	14.28	16.80	20.4	22.60	24.00
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock	Prior + Full crew	Prior + Expert qualif.	Prior + Ace qualif.
5.20	_.__	_.__	4.00

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration in mm @ 0° Angle of Attack
		10m	100m	500m	1000m	1500m	2000m
Shot Mk.8	APC	115	111	94	76	62	50
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	113	109	92	74	60	48
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	131	127	110	91	75	63
Shell Mk.10	HE	13	13	12	10	10	10

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity in m/s	Projectile Mass in kg	Fuse delay in m:	Fuse sensitivity in mm:	Explosive Mass in g (TNT equivalent):	Normalization At 30° from horizontal:	Ricochet:
								0%	50%	100%
Shot Mk.8	APC	883	2.87	N/A	N/A	N/A	+4°	48°	63°	71°
Shot Mk.5 HV	AP	883	2.8	N/A	N/A	N/A	-1°	47°	60°	65°
Shot Mk.9	APCBC	847	3.2	N/A	N/A	N/A	+4°	48°	63°	71°
Shell Mk.10	HE	807	3.0	0.1	0.1	153	+0°	79°	80°	81°

Ammo racks

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	6th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
60	XX (X+)	(+)	(+)	(+)	(+)	1 (+59)	no

Machine guns

7.92 mm BESA
Coaxial mount
Capacity (Belt capacity)				Fire rate (shots/minute)	Vertical guidance	Horizontal guidance
3,375 (225)				600	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

The AEC Mk. II is to played mainly in the role of flanking and reconnaissance. Due to the high speed and thin armour, it is ill advised to use this vehicle in frontal assaults. Added to the new mechanic of active scouting for light tanks, it is rewarding to be an effective scout by highlighting targets for allies, thus farming SP and experience from their assistance. However, the AEC aren't as small as a scout like the American M22 Locust, so scouting and flanking can be risky if done incorrectly. That being said, the AEC also have the same 6-Pounder cannon found on the Crusader Mk III, Churchill Mk III, Cromwell Mk I and the Valentine Mk IX, so the AEC has a fast rate-of-fire with an excellent muzzle velocity. Here are some methods for maximizing not only combat effectiveness, but also the chances of surviving.

The first method of using this vehicle is for reconnaissance. Since the addition of the "active scouting" mechanic, light tanks have the ability to report the position of enemy vehicles to allies. When fulfilling the role of scouting in this vehicle, find a position that is concealed, but that gives a clear view sight of the battlefield. This is most helpful for farming Spawn Points and experience given that when an allied vehicle destroys an enemy player being actively scouted, granting a 50% reward of what the allied player was awarded. This can work best when paired with allied tank destroyers for dislodging stubborn enemy defenders holding down key positions.

The second method of using this vehicle is flanking. When using this as a flanker, try to use the terrain for the advantage and end up on the enemy's flank. Coupled with the AEC's fast speed, it shouldn't be too difficult to get up to speed if the terrain is favorable, as muddy terrain will severely inhibit the ability to maneuver. After all, the AEC is still a wheeled vehicle, so don't expect to speed over all terrains as in a tank. Nonetheless, when on the enemy's flank, ensure that it is a spot that isn't as exposed as others. Then, start pumping shots into the sides of the enemy tanks. It is highly recommended to fire a few shots then relocate, thus preventing the enemy from triangulating the AEC's firing location. It doesn't hurt to use "active scouting" as well, to notify allies of an incoming enemy armour movement.

With very light armour, this renders the AEC vehicle highly exposed to any form of enemy fire except machine gun fire. However, at the Battle-Rating of 3.0, there are some adversaries that deserve special note.

• German Vehicles

The AEC's greatest adversary is most likely the Panzer IV F2, due to its long-barreled 75 mm cannon, which can punch right through the armour- even from long range. In addition, any later model of the Panzer III is going to give severe problems due to their long-barreled 50 mm cannon, which has a rapid rate-of-fire. As laughable as it sounds, the Flakpanzer I and the Gepard will also shred the AEC, as a result of their ability to use the HVAP-T round for their 20 mm cannnons, which have a murderous rate-of-fire. In Battle-Rating 3.3 matches, stay away from a Flakpanzer Wirbelwind at all costs, as the shear volume of their fire will utterly obliterate the AEC, even if they do not have the HVAP-T round. The most dangerous opponent in respect to the AEC is the Sd.Kfz.234/2 "Puma," due to its amazing speed and a high-velocity 50 mm cannon. The Marder series will also give issues, due to their high-velocity cannons.

• Soviet Vehicles

The Soviets have the most tanks with heavy armour, which can make it difficult for even for the 6-Pounder to punch through. That being said, a KV-1 is going to give a lot of problems, even at close ranges. In addition to that, the most abundant Soviet threat is going to be the T-34, due to its fast speed and sloping armour, which has the chances to bounce a shell, even at close range, if the tank is angled well enough. The most dangerous opponent is the SU-122, due to the 122 mm howitzer it carries, which doesn't need to make a direct hit if firing High-Explosive shells. In addition, the 29-K boasts a high-velocity 76 mm cannon, which will tear through the AEC's armour even at long ranges.

• Japanese Vehicles

Japanese vehicles may not have the strongest armour for their tanks, but their guns will make anyone think twice. Most notable of these is the Chi-Nu and the Ho-Ni III, which have high-velocity 75 mm cannons, which will rip through most armour at medium to long range. The So-Ki SPAA can also rip through the AEC due to the twin 25 mm cannons. In addition, the M24 Chaffee (Self-Defense Force) boasts a 75 mm cannon and a .50 Caliber machine gun, which can bore through the thin armour.

• French Vehicles

The French also have some vehicles that are heavily armoured. Most notable of them being the Char B1 bis and the Char B1 ter. The Char B1 ter is probably most notable of them, due to the ridiculous amount of armour from the front. The SAu 40 is a viable threat, thanks to its 75 mm cannon. It is also plausible to face the French M4A1 Sherman, which not only has enough armour to possibly bounce the 6-pdr shells, but a 75 mm cannon and a .50 Caliber machine gun, which is notorious for tearing through just about any lightly-armoured vehicle. It is also important to note that the GMC CCKW (40 mm Bofors AA truck) is a major threat to the AEC, due to the Bofors 40 mm heavy Anti-Aircraft cannon it wields.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Powerful 57 mm with high penetration and excellent fragmentation
• Fast reload
• Fast turret traverse
• Excellent 12 degrees of gun depression
• Very mobile, especially on hard surfaces. At 87km/h it is one of the fastest vehicles in game
• Turret has decent armour for an armoured car, can take some hits from auto cannons and low rank guns
• Weak armour can sometimes be over penetrated
• Small turning circle
• 7.52 mm BESA machine gun has a superb rate-of-fire and is effective against open-topped vehicles

Cons:

• Hull armour, though well sloped, 20 mm autocannons and above will penetrate it
• Cross country performance is not as good as tracked vehicles
• Gets bogged down easily in mud
• Cannot turn on the spot
• Only three crew members, a hit center mass will take the AEC out instantly
• Aircraft with cannons are a threat
• Artillery is dangerous

History

The Associated Equipment Co. (AEC) Ltd. company, which made London's double-decker buses, put forth an unsolicited design for a heavy armored car, based on their Matador MAT (medium artillery tractor). The army was disinclined at first, but Prime Minister Churchill intervened in AEC's favour. The Mark I model carried a 2-pounder in a Valentine tank turret. Some of these were sent for use in North Africa. The Mark II, which had increased horsepower and a new three-man turret with the 6-pounder, was only produced in small numbers. Approximately 24 were given to Yugoslavian partisans in late 1944.

This would be followed by the Mark III, mounting the British 75mm gun, making it the most powerful armored car of the war, and used in Western Europe alongside the 75mm armed US M3 GMC halftrack in the heavy troop of British armored car squadrons. A total of 122 Mark Is and 507 Mark IIs/IIIs were built. Sometimes referred to as "Junies" or "Matadors."

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the vehicles;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [News] AEC Mk.II