Austin K2
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| General characteristics | |||
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| Role | Military ambulance | ||
| Crew | 1 | ||
| armour | none | ||
| Capacity | 4 stretchers or 10 "walking wounded" | ||
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| Length | 18 ft (5.49 m) m | ||
| Width | 7 ft 5 in (2.21 m) m | ||
| Height | 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m) m | ||
| Weight | 7.75 tons t | ||
| Power plant | Austin 6-cylinder, 3462 cc petrol 60 at 3,000 rpm hp, ( kW) |
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| Suspension | Wheel, 4 x 4 | ||
| Speed | 50 mph km/h road km/h off-road |
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| Range | km | ||
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. It is estimated there are 2 remaining Morris Commercials but no Bedford examples are said to survive.
The Austin is widely regarded to have the "Worst Gearbox in the British Army!" by veterans no two gear changes being alike. The Top speed is around 50MPH (very good for its age) One veteran said he got 70MPH in Korea, how he stopped it is another matter.
The design was popular both with British, Commonwealth and also American Troops being one of the few examples of Reverse Lend-Lease.
[edit] See also
| British unarmoured vehicles of World War II |
|---|
| Artillery tractors |
| AEC Matador | Morris C8 Quad | Scammell Pioneer Canadian Military Pattern |
| Trucks and lorries |
| Bedford QLD | Austin K2 | Morris 15 cwt |
| Tank transporters |
| Diamond T tank transporter | Scammell Pioneer Semi-trailer |
| Armoured fighting vehicles |
| British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II |
