Funny how you trip over things when you are not looking - just found this in the MVT's Windscreen magazine (Sept 1988), from the Avon region:
"...Richard Jefferies went to see a farmer in Exxes to buy a trailer for his 5-ton Autocar, as it turned out he not only bought this trailer, but 5 more 2 1/2-ton Autocars and a draw bar trailer.
The vehicles are: 1 Autocar Tanker 2 1/2-ton 4x4 660 gallon U2044 mobile oil service facilities for US Air Force, and 4 Autocar tractor units 2 1/2-ton 4x4 U-4144T.
The tanker is to be restored by Richard's son, Jason, who estimates about two years work will be required. The vehicle is basically sound, but all the side lockers are missing and will have to be fabricated. At least two of the tractor units will be restored, one of the units still has the original markings. This history of these vehicles starts from 1947 when they were brought from the Ruddington sales by a farmer. The tanker was used for lime spreading, one tractor unit was used for transporting a priestman cub with dragline. The remaining three tractor units were used for spares. These vehicles were last used in 1957 and have been parked in a barn since then."
I recall seeing the tanker at an MVT show at Weston-Super-Mare around this time.