Austin K2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Austin K2 | |
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| Type | Military ambulance |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Austin Motor Company/Mann Egerton |
| Number built | 13,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 7.75 tons |
| Length | 18 ft (5.49 m) |
| Width | 7 ft 5 in (2.21 m) |
| Height | 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) |
| Crew | 1 |
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| Armour | none |
| Engine | Austin 6-cylinder, 3462 cc petrol 60 at 3,000 rpm |
| Payload capacity | 4 stretchers or 10 "walking wounded" |
| Suspension | Wheel, 4 x 4 |
| Speed | 50 mph (80 km/h) |
The Austin K2/Y was a British heavy military ambulance built by the Austin Motor Company for use during the Second World War.
The rear body, built by Mann Egerton, could take 10 casualties sitting or 4 stretcher cases. One Veteran stated he carried 27 wounded at one point in the Desert campaign, this involved seating passengers on the wings, bonnet, the rear steps and even using rifles to suspend extra stretchers across the walkway in the back, he was mentioned in dispatches for this feat.
13,000 Austin K2/Y ambulances were built and an estimated 50+ remain today. The Austin Chassis was one of three main designs fitted with Mann Egerton bodies, the others being Morris Commercial and Bedford Vehicles. It is estimated there are 2 remaining Morris Commercials but no Bedford examples are said to survive.
The Austin is widely regarded to having a gearbox that needed to be "understood" but once mastered provided good service. One person who did master it was Queen Elizabeth II who drove one during World War II. The top speed is around 50 mph (80 km/h) (very good for its age) one veteran said he got 70 mph (113 km/h) in Korea, how he stopped it is another matter.
This type of ambulance was the "star" of the film Ice Cold in Alex featuring Sir John Mills.
The design was popular both with British, Commonwealth and also American Troops being one of the few examples of Reverse Lend-Lease.
[edit] Gallery
 Cab of the K2 complete with beer containers |
 Rear of the K2 |
[edit] See also
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