Austin K2

Austin K2/Y Ambulance
An original fully restored Austin K2/Y ambulance
Type	Military ambulance
Place of origin	UK
Service history
In service	Second World War and after in a number of countries
Production history
Manufacturer	Austin and Mann Egerton
Produced	1939 – 1945
No. built	13,102
Specifications
Weight	3 tons 1½ cwt (3124 kg) (dry)
Length	18 ft (5.49 m)
Width	7 ft 5 in (2.26 m)
Height	9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Crew	2 – 3
Armour	None
Engine	Austin 6-cylinder, 3462 cc, petrol, 60 hp at 3000 rpm, 153 lbfft (207.4 Nm) at 1200 rpm
Payload capacity	4 stretchers or 10 "walking wounded"
Suspension	Wheels 4 × 2, 10.50 – 16 tyres
Speed	50 mph (80 km/h)

The Austin K2/Y is a British heavy military ambulance that was used by all Commonwealth services during the Second World War. Built by Austin, it was based on the civilian light truck Austin K30, differing mainly by having simple canvas closures in place of driver's cab doors.

The K2/Y could take ten casualties sitting or four stretcher cases. The rear body, known as No. 2 Mk I/L was developed by the Royal Army Medical Corps and built by coachbuilder Mann Egerton. The interior dimensions were approximately 2.6 metres long, 2.0 metres wide and 1.7 metres high. At the rear of the vehicle there were two large doors. From the driver's cab the wounded could also be accessed through a small internal door with a seat. The exterior was mainly made from painted canvas.

One veteran of the North African Campaign stated he once managed to carry 27 wounded, with passengers seated on the wings, bonnet, rear steps, and in extra stretchers suspended by rifles across the rear walkway; he was mentioned in dispatches for this feat.

A total of 13,102 Austin K2/Y ambulances (the front mudguards ended at the 'doors') were built at the company's Longbridge plant almost continuously from 1940 until the war ended. An estimated 50 or more remain today. The Austin chassis was one of three main designs fitted with Mann Egerton bodies, the others being Morris Commercial CS11/30F (the front mudguards ended underneath the rungs) and Bedford ML 54 (the front mudguards ended before the 'doors'). It is estimated there are two remaining Morris Commercials, but no Bedford examples are said to survive.

The Austin K2/Y was generally regarded as having a widely spaced four-speed gearbox that needed to be "understood", but once mastered provided good service. It had two petrol tanks, one on each side (total capacity: approx. 2 × 12 Imperial gallons (2 × 54.5 l)). The top speed was around 50 mph (80 km/h).