AEC Mk II

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AEC Mk II
uk_armored_car_aec_mk_2.png
AEC Mk II
AB RB SB
3.0 3.0 3.0
Show in game
MARKET

Description

GarageImage AEC Mk II.jpg


The Armoured Car, 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

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 76 10 12.8 256 315 20 24.61
Realistic 68 9 146 165 11.41 12.89

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

Ammo racks of the AEC Mk II
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
4th
rack empty
5th
rack empty
6th
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
60 45 (+15) 39 (+21) 31 (+29) 23 (+37) 10 (+50) (+59) No

Notes:

  • To go into battle with the turret empty of ammo, pack 31 (+29) shells (racks 1 & 2 emptied).
  • As they are modeled by sets of 2 or 3, shells disappear from the rack only after you fire all shells in the set.
Optics

Explain how the optic's status can affect the tank's gameplay in any unique or meaningful way. A comparison to rival tanks of the rank is welcome.

If you are having problems with it, refer to the optics gallery page for examples.

AEC Mk II Optics
Which ones Default magnification Maximum magnification
Main Gun optics x1.85 x3.5
Comparable optics M10 GMC

Machine guns

Main article: BESA (7.92 mm)
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 play 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 isn'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 favourable, as muddy terrain will severely inhibit the ability to manoeuvre. After all, the AEC is still a wheeled vehicle, so don't expect to speed overall 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 gunfire. 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 cannons, which have a murderous rate-of-fire. In Battle-Rating 3.3 matches, stay away from a Flakpanzer Wirbelwind at all costs, as the sheer 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.

Modules

Tier Mobility Protection Firepower
I Tires Parts Horizontal Drive
II Suspension Brake System FPE Shot Mk.5 HV Adjustment of fire Airstrike
III Filters Crew Replenishment Shot Mk.9 Elevation Mechanism
IV Transmission Engine Artillery Support Improved optics Smoke grenade
This is a premium vehicle: all modifications are unlocked on purchase

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Powerful 57 mm with high penetration and excellent fragmentation
  • One of the two British scout tanks, next one being rank VI Warrior
  • 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 autocannons 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 centre 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 armoured 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 armoured car of the war, and used in Western Europe alongside the 75mm armed US M3 GMC half-track in the heavy troop of British armoured car squadrons. A total of 122 Mark Is and 507 Mark IIs/IIIs were built. Sometimes referred to as "Junies" or "Matadors."

Media

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same gun
Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

External links


Britain light tanks
A13  A13 Mk I · A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II · A13 Mk II 1939
A15  Crusader II · Crusader "The Saint" · Crusader III
A17  Tetrarch I
IFV  Warrior
Wheeled  Daimler Mk II · AEC Mk II · Fox · Vickers Mk.11
Other  VFM5
South Africa 
SARC  SARC MkIVa · SARC MkVI (2pdr) · SARC MkVI (6pdr)
Ratel  Ratel 90 · Ratel 20
Rooikat  Rooikat Mk.1D · Rooikat 105 · Rooikat MTTD
Other  Concept 3 · Eland 90 Mk.7
USA  Stuart I · Stuart III

Britain premium ground vehicles
Light tanks  A13 Mk I (3rd R.T.R.) · A13 Mk II 1939 · AEC Mk II · Crusader "The Saint" · Rooikat 105
Medium tanks  A.C.I · Grant I · Cromwell V (RP-3) · Sherman IC "Trzyniec" · A.C.IV · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
  Centurion Mk.2 · ▄Strv 81 (RB 52) · Centurion Mk.5 AVRE · Centurion Mk.5/1 · ▄Sho't Kal Dalet · Centurion Action X
  Vijayanta · Khalid · Challenger DS · Challenger 2 OES
Heavy tanks  Independent · Matilda Hedgehog · Excelsior · TOG II · Churchill Crocodile · Black Prince
Tank destroyers  Alecto I · Achilles (65 Rg.) · QF 3.7 Ram

Winter events
2022  Winter Quest
Pilot stars  Late 298D · ◄Tornado IDS MFG
Tanker stars  T-80UM2
Sailor stars  USS Newport News
2021  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  C. 202D · ◊MiG-23MF
Tanker stars  A.C.I · AGS
Sailor stars  IJN Hayanami · MPK Pr.201K
2020  Operation W.I.N.T.E.R.
Pilot stars  Ro.57 Quadriarma · MiG-21PFM
Tanker stars  E.B.R. (1954) · Class 3 (P)
Sailor stars  Type K-8 No.13 · USS Baltimore
2019  Operation F.R.O.S.T.
Pilot stars  TIS MA · J6K1
Tanker stars  QF 3.7 Ram · ▃Merkava Mk.2B
Sailor stars  PT-811 · Jaguar
2018  Festive Quest
Pilot stars  M.B.152C1 · Fw 190 C
Tanker stars  SU-85A · T30
Christmas Lights  P-43A-1 · Comet I "Iron Duke IV"
2017  Festive Quest
Pilot christmas toys  P-40C · NC.900
Tanker christmas toys  AEC Mk II · Ersatz M10
Christmas Lights  Fw 189 A-1 · KV-2 (1940)
2016  Winter Holiday
Pilot stages  Ki-21-I hei · Me 262 A-2a
Tanker stages  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2) · ▂Type 62
2015  War Thunder Fulfills Your Wishes!
Pilot reward  ▂P-63C-5
Tanker reward  VK 45.01 (P)
2014  Holiday War Thunder Marathon!
Pilot reward  I-301
Tanker reward  M8A1 GMC