Austin K2/Y Ambulance

One of the most famous vehicles of its type, the Austin K2/Y Ambulance was used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces throughout WW2, both in the combat zones of the world and on the home front.

Built around the chassis of the Austin K30 light truck, the casualty compartment was developed in conjunction with the Royal Army Medical Corps and therefore proved to be highly functional. Able to carry either four stretcher cases or ten seated casualties, one reason for its success was the ruggedness and reliability of the K2/Y and its ease of maintenance.

The rear cabin was typically constructed of painted canvas over a timber frame, with the highly visible Red Cross displayed on all sides. Given its size and ability to traverse the roughest terrain, the K2/Y had a high top-speed on open roads where it could reach speeds of fifty mph.

The K2/Y has also appeared on the big screen, taking a central road in the film "Ice Cold in Alex", alongside Sir John Mills, Sylvia Syms and Anthony Quale. The film was set in 1942 in the Libyan war zone of North Africa and follows a British ambulance crew separated from their unit after having to abandon their base after a German offensive. With their hopes pinned on a dilapidated K2/Y ambulance called 'Katy' the band battle the North African desert in an attempt to evade the German Afrika Korps and make it to Alexandria.

My model build was also featured on the Airfix web and Facebook page as the New Year's Eve Showcase in 2022.