Another unique vehicle to join the fleet in 1934 was 123, JN 4373, an AEC Q. The Q type first appeared in 1932 as a revolutionary single decker with set back front axle and a petrol engine mounted on the offside immediately behind the front axle. A double deck version followed but only five were ever built as trolleybuses - one demonstrator, later sold to Bradford, three exported to Sydney, Australia and Southend 123. The latter was the only one to have a lowbridge body (seating 56, with a front entrance) by English Electric. Although the design was not a great success, four other Q's were to be found in Southend - 3 coaches and a double decker - all with Westcliff-on-Sea Motor Services. 123 was sold in 1949 to the Southend Airport Department who removed the roof and used the vehicle as a mobile control tower!
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