Details of Cars

Austin K5: the “Screamer” heavy truck of the Second World War

AUSTIN

1945 Austin K5 portee
1945 Austin K5 portee. Photo by kitmasterbloke, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Austin K5 was a British heavy military truck built by Austin for use during the Second World War. It was nicknamed the “Screamer” because of a rather noisy transfer case.

Austin K5 at a glance

Austin K5 key facts
Maker Austin
Period Second World War
Type heavy military truck
Nickname “Screamer”, from a noisy transfer case
Gun portee carried the Ordnance QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun in North Africa, with open body and cab
General Service with enclosed cab
Rescue use enclosed-body versions for salvage and rescue in the UK
Survivors preserved examples appear at vintage rallies

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 K5

The K5 was used with an open body and cab for carrying the Ordnance QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun as a portee in the North African Campaign, or with an enclosed cab for General Service. Enclosed-body versions were used for salvage and rescue work in the UK.

Austin K5 military truck on display
Austin K5 military truck. Photo by Aethonatic, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.

It was nicknamed the “Screamer” because of a rather noisy transfer case. Wikipedia carries only a short account of the vehicle, so this page records only what that account says; technical details such as engine and numbers built are not given there and are left out here.

Design and features

  • Use: portee for the 6-pounder anti-tank gun.
  • Cabs: open or enclosed.
  • Sound: a noisy transfer case earned the nickname.

Austin K5 versions

  • Portee (open body and cab).
  • General Service (enclosed cab).
  • Salvage and rescue bodies.

More Austin cars are in our Austin collection, for example the K2 ambulance, the Loadstar and the Champ.

Austin K5 questions and answers

What was the Austin K5?

A British heavy military truck built by Austin in the Second World War.

Why “Screamer”?

A rather noisy transfer case.

What did it carry in North Africa?

The Ordnance QF 6 pounder anti-tank gun, as a portee.

Was it used for rescue?

Yes, enclosed versions served in salvage and rescue work in the UK.

Are any left?

Preserved examples appear at vintage events.

Sources

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