1941 Austin Army Ambulance

Darren Witty · #1 02-12-08, 10:14

FYI

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1941-Austin-A...3A1|240%3A1318

Radek · #2 02-12-08, 11:54

Ohh. I need this one in Europe, i have at home the body and any parts.

Tony Smith · #3 02-12-08, 14:51

I see the nomenclature of the vehicle is: Ambulance. No. 2. Mark I/L/

This question has been asked before (in relation to Carriers). I have seen and understand No1, No2, etc, MkI, MkII, etc, *, ** and so on in relation to various vehicles, weapons(

) and equipment, but what does the /L/ mean?

Mike Kelly · #4 02-12-08, 23:59

As far as I am aware of, this is only the second one that has surfaced here... The AWM pics show them in use here ...but for some rerson only a tiny few have been found so far.. I wonder why .

Unlike some other vehicles, I've got a feeling that these ambos arrived direct from the UK .. Going through the AWM diaries, you come across references to ships arriving from the UK with motor cycles and the Matilda tanks , this stuff is all direct shipment ..no Middle East diversions..

You would have to be keen to take on that Austin ... but there are enough post war civvy trucks around for mechanical spares . The big hurdle would be building a new body.. ideally, contact with somebody who has built a new body in the UK ..plans plans ...

David_Hayward (RIP) · #5 03-12-08, 11:51

Quote:

only a tiny few have been found so far.. I wonder why .

May I suggest that your hint that those in Aussieland were shipped direct may be correct (as usual)? If so were they sent to Singapore and then diverted as against any Australian Government acquisitions?

In our new book we have photos of KY/2 ambulances with at least two body styles and we have dated these to late 1943/early 1944. These were taken back from, we believe, the Mid-East and rebuilt by Pearsons of Liverpool for further service. The company also took in crated Austins ex-Mid East and re-assembled & refurbished them ready for D-Day. There are just so many K2/Ys that I can see that suggests to me that none or few were sold to the Dominion Governments in the Mid-East after direct issue, and then shipped onward to SA, Australia, and NZ. I personally cannot see why the AIF say would have wanted them..CMP and Chevrolet & Ford CC60L ambulances yes.

This is just a quick thought but it appears to confirm yours.

Radek · #6 08-12-08, 21:37

I am mad.

I have won this lady, but now start hard work how can I get it in Europe.

Jeff Gordon · #7 13-12-08, 08:52

Tony in regards to the "L". I have noticed a lot of vehicles in the AWM ARN's have been referred to as Lorries, which I always thought was a truck. But we have found unusual things called Lorries including a Studebaker Weasel!
So if they called a Weasel a Lorry it wouldn't surprise me if they called a Carrier one too.
I have always hated it when I come across a pom over here and he calls a truck a lorry.
Cheers
Jeff

RichardT10829 · #8 13-12-08, 16:41

that vehicle (the austin ambulance) was it not the vehicle used in Ice Cold In Alex ? if so you can make your very own "Katy" that or drink like a fish with stress like John Mills dod in the movie

David_Hayward (RIP) · #9 13-12-08, 17:56

The film is being shown again on Wednesday. There may have been more than one vehicle: one we have discussed was a K2/Y body on a 4x4 CMP chassis. There is also I gather a L-R in one shot!

Radek · #10 13-12-08, 18:15

Any pictures from this film has Graeme on his page.
http://www.tech-designz.com/k2ambulance.htm

David_Hayward (RIP) · #11 13-12-08, 18:28

He mentions a 19th October 1940 contract for 13 bodies from Mann Eggerton & Co. yet the Canadian Archives papers show that 37 were ordered from Mann Eggertons for 30-cwt vehicles, which I assume meant F30.

RichardT10829 · #12 13-12-08, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

The film is being shown again on Wednesday. There may have been more than one vehicle: one we have discussed was a K2/Y body on a 4x4 CMP chassis. There is also I gather a L-R in one shot!

it always tickles me that movie, in the last shot when Van Poel is being carted off there is a 1960's landrover parked at the side of the pub.

and also never knew the germans had American sherman based tanks and half tracks

hope you bring this ambulance back from the dead Radek so good luck on your quest

Radek · #13 13-12-08, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardT10829

it always tickles me that movie, in the last shot when Van Poel is being carted off there is a 1960's landrover parked at the side of the pub.

and also never knew the germans had American sherman based tanks and half tracks

hope you bring this ambulance back from the dead Radek so good luck on your quest

I will need any help with this project!

Any parts still missing and any I have to make.
When somebody has experiences with this vehicle, please let me know and help me.

serge · #14 15-02-09, 06:31

Hello every body

Last week , a friend invite me in a garage and behind a big lot of doors and woody pieces there was an AMBULANCE "as new".
The woody body is complete in very good state and "the lady" sleept in this garage since 40 years. Even the canvas on doors are presents and in good state It is not easy to take some pic and the owner hope cut the truck in the aim to have more place!!!!!.
The only problem is that the truck should be completely dismounted to be outed fron the garage.
You can contact me in the aim to save this truck. (I am not interressed because I own 4 military vehicles and I have no more place to restore it).

Regards SERGE

Radek · #15 05-05-09, 22:36

Hi,
first I would like say many thanks to Serge!!!!

The lady is save now and she is in good community. :-)

Radek

Hanno Spoelstra · #16 06-05-09, 11:20

Radek,

Saw your pictures on the HMVF Forum. An awesome recovery - well done!
On behalf of all British military vehicle enthusiasts, thanks for saving the old girl

Hanno

lynx42 · #17 06-05-09, 11:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Radek,

Saw your pictures on the HMVF Forum. An awesome recovery - well done!
On behalf of all British military vehicle enthusiasts, thanks for saving the old girl

Hanno

Radek, I also looked on in amazement at your rescue via HMVF. Well done. Nothing ventured, nothing gained is so true in this case.
Regards Rick

Dinty · #18 18-05-09, 06:35

G'day All, Anyone here own this nice example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vd4f...eature=related London to Brighton run cheers Dennis

rupert condick · #19 05-08-10, 02:32

hi i am trying to find out what the one inch square drive was used for, that replaced the air compressor on my brothers 1941 Austin K2Y, its covered in desert sand paint so was fitted ether in north africa or before,
what ever it drove was removed long ago,
i have seen a picture of an film camera ambo in north africa but i cannot find it now,
regs
rupert

Lynn Eades · #20 06-10-21, 00:44

It is an old thread when Tony Smith asks what the "L" stands for.

Tony Smith · #21 06-10-21, 01:42

Necro-thread, Lynn, that's the term!

rupert condick · #22 04-08-10, 15:54

Hi i have bee researching the 1941 ambo my brother has,
no military records of it remain but i can guess it was shipped to north africa, and left with Australian forces in 1942 arriving at the 2nd plat. 2nd Australian Ambulance Car Company in australia, serving until 1946 i know no more.
its a sad wreck, needs bits.

Radek · #23 04-08-10, 16:02

Hi Rupert,
do you have any pictures of your "new" K2/Y body?
Cheers Radek

Les Freathy · #24 04-08-10, 18:26

Radek
We will have to start calling you Mister Austin before long, keep em going
cheers
Les

Radek · #25 04-08-10, 19:39

rupert condick · #26 05-08-10, 02:25

Hi Radek,
i am not good at posting pics on forums, so have sent e-mail,
one thing i did not mention in my brief sumery was the power take off was remove when in north africa or before and replaced with a one inch square drive, the hand brake linkage may also have been moved,
cheers
rupert