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 1938 Austin K30 30-cwt light truck which, as the K2 chassis, was built during the war for many uses.
Austin K2/Y ambulance at a glance
| Built | 13,102 at Longbridge, almost continuously from 1940 to the end of the war |
|---|---|
| Base | 1938 Austin K30 30-cwt truck, as the K2 chassis |
| Capacity | ten casualties sitting or four stretcher cases |
| Body | No. 2 Mk I/L by Mann Egerton, designed by the Royal Army Medical Corps |
| Interior | about 2.6 m long, 2.0 m wide, 1.7 m high |
| Fuel | two petrol tanks, about 2×12 Imperial gallons |
| Top speed | around 50 mph (80 km/h) |
| Survivors | an estimated 50 or more |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Austin K2/Y ambulance
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 the coachbuilder Mann Egerton. Simple canvas closures were used instead of cab doors, and the exterior was mainly painted canvas. At the rear were two large doors, and from the cab the wounded could also be reached through a small internal door with a seat.
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. The Austin chassis was one of three main designs fitted with variations of the Mann Egerton bodies, the others being the Morris Commercial CS11/30F and the Bedford ML 54. About two Morris Commercials survive, and no Bedford examples are said to.
Service
One veteran of the North African Campaign said he once carried 27 wounded, with passengers on the wings, bonnet, rear steps and extra stretchers hung across the rear walkway, and was mentioned in dispatches. Princess Elizabeth was trained to drive one while serving with the Auxiliary Territorial Service. The design was popular with British and Commonwealth troops and with American forces, who received them in reverse Lend-Lease. The K2 was often nicknamed “Katy”, and the ambulance was also used in the Korean War.
Design and features
- Body: canvas-clad ambulance body by Mann Egerton.
- Gearbox: a four-speed that rewarded practice.
- Fuel: two petrol tanks.
Austin K2/Y ambulance versions
- Early version.
- Later version.
- K2 chassis variants: fire engines and other wartime bodies.
More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the Loadstar that was a revised K2, the K5 truck and the Champ.
Austin K2/Y ambulance questions and answers
What was the Austin K2/Y?
A British heavy military ambulance used by Commonwealth services in the Second World War.
How many were built?
13,102 at Longbridge.
How many casualties could it carry?
Ten sitting or four on stretchers.
What was it nicknamed?
“Katy”.
Was it used after the war?
Yes, in the Korean War.
Sources
- Austin K2/Y, English Wikipedia: design and service
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