1/35 British Army Austin K2/Y Airfix A1375 Ambulance Truck Model Kit 146 Parts in a set Some of the most important military vehicles of the Second World War did not have huge main guns and were not adorned with increasingly thick armor, but they are no less fascinating to study. One of the most important capabilities on any battlefield is the ability to quickly and efficiently transport wounded soldiers from the front lines to field medical stations some distance behind the host where they can receive the medical care they need and potentially save their lives. While obviously any vehicle can be used for this task, a dedicated ambulance often allows the wounded to begin receiving care immediately, and if you ever need one's services, you'll no doubt classify them as the most important vehicles on the battlefield. . One of the most famous vehicles of its type, the Austin K2/Y Ambulance was widely used by British and Commonwealth forces during the Second World War, both in combat zones around the world and on the home front. Built on the chassis of an Austin K30 light truck, the casualty compartment was developed in conjunction with the Royal Army Medical Corps and therefore proved to be very functional. Capable of carrying four stretchers or ten seated casualties, one of the main reasons the K2/Y was so successful was that it was so robust and reliable that it required only minimal maintenance - an ambulance should always be ready when you need it The rear cockpit was typically made of painted canvas on a wooden frame, with a prominent red cross on a white disc prominently positioned on all sides to hopefully ensure that the occupants of the vehicles did not come under fire. After delivering its last load of wounded to the field station, the K2/Y invariably headed straight for the war zone at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour on open roads. A hugely popular vehicle among British, Commonwealth and American troops, the Austin K2/Y was seen as something of an angel on the shoulders of the troops. I hope they never need to see the ER, but if they do, "Katie" will be ready and waiting for them. With over 13,000 examples produced, they would have been a familiar sight on battlefields around the world, and around fifty examples are thought to still survive today, some having been restored to something close to their original wartime configuration. What's inside
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