Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation


Home Page

Main Menu

Quick Menu

Members' Area

What New?

About this site

Reunions

Help Needed?

Glossary

Bibliography

Sign Guest Book

View Guest Book

Link to Amazon

Online Store

Contact Me


Mechanical Transport AP2782B (Section 2) - Ambulances


A, B, C, etc indicates that more than than one vehicle was covered by this item in this edition of AP2782, whilst (new) indicates that this vehicle replaced an earlier vehicle as that item.

Item Vehicle Previous Next
1 Bedford, 4x2 Type A2Z chassis fitted with Clinic Ambulance body    
2

Fordson, 6x4, Thames Sussex chassis fitted with Heavy Ambulance body

   
2 (new) Land Rover, 4x4 (109in wheelbase) Series 2A chassis fitted with 2 stretcher ambulance body    
3

Ambulance, 4x2, Morris CV11/30

   
4 Bedford, 4x2 Type SB chassis fitted with 31-seater/16 stretcher Coach/Ambulance body (206in wheelbase)    
4A Bedford, 4x2 Type SB chassis fitted with 31-seater/16 stretcher Coach/Ambulance body (216in wheelbase)    
5 Bedford, 4x2, Type A2Z fitted with road ambulance body    
6 Land Rover, 4x4 (107 in wheelbase) chassis fitted with special ambulance body    
7 Austin, 4x4, GS chassis fitted with Crash/Rescue Ambulance body (UK use)    
7A Austin, 4x4, GS chassis fitted with Crash/Rescue Ambulance body (Overseas use)    
8

Ambulance, heavy, Austin K.6, 6 x 4

 

Bedford, 4x2 Type A2Z chassis fitted with Clinic Ambulance body

Ambulance, 2-Stretcher, 4x2, Bedford A2Z

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/2113 (Vehicle); 16A/2114 (Chassis):
Engine Bedford A2, 75 bhp @ 3,200rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 18ft 3in; Width - 7ft 1in; Height - 8ft 11in; WB -9ft 11in ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 2-tons 16 cwt; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes Special duties only between hospitals.

 

Fordson, 6x4, Thames Sussex chassis fitted with Heavy Ambulance body

Ambulance, Heavy, 6x4, Fordson Thames Sussex

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/1584 (Vehicle); 16A/1585 (Chassis); 16A/1586 (Body)
Engine  
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; G/C - ; TC
Weights Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body

 

Tyres

 

Notes Introduced 1945 - 1952

 

Land Rover, 4x4 (109in wheelbase) Series 2A chassis fitted with 2 stretcher ambulance body

Ambulance, 2/1-Stretcher, 4x4, Rover 9 from front

Ambulance, 2/1-Stretcher, 4x4, Rover 9 from rear

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/2551 (Vehicle); 16A/2661 (Chassis); 16A/2662 (Body):
Engine Rover 2¼-litre, petrol, 4-cyl, liquid cooled, 77 bhp @ 4,200 rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 15ft 6in; Width - 6ft 3in; Height - 7ft 0in; WB - 9ft 1in; G/C -9¾in ; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 1-ton 17 cwt; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes Intended for operation in mountainous and desert conditions. Two stretcher cases, four sitting and an attendant.  Locker provided for stowage of comprehensive crash equipment for emergency use.

 

Ambulance, 4x2, Morris CV11/30

Ambulance, 4x2, Morris CV11/30

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/1472
Engine  
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; G/C - ; TC
Weights Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes  

 

Bedford, 4x2 Type SB chassis fitted with 31-seater/16 stretcher Coach/Ambulance body (206in wheelbase)

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/1847 (Vehicle); 16A/1513 (Chassis); 16A/1514 (Body):
Engine Bedford, petrol, 6-cyl, ohv, liquid cooled, 110 bhp @ 3,200 rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 28ft 10in; Width - 7ft 6in; Height - 10ft 0in; WB - 17ft 2in; G/C - 10in; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 4 tons 12 cwt; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes General purpose personnel carrier.

 

Bedford, 4x2 Type SB chassis fitted with 31-seater/16 stretcher Coach/Ambulance body (216in wheelbase)
RAF Ref No 16A/2264 (Vehicle); 16A/2263 (Chassis); 16A/2265 (Body)
Engine  
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - ; Width - ; Height - ; G/C - ; TC
Weights Unladen - ; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes  

 

Bedford, 4x2, Type A2Z fitted with road ambulance body

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/2130 (Vehicle); 16A/2114 (Chassis):
Engine Bedford A2, petrol, 6-cyl, liquid cooled, 75 bhp @ 3,200rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 18ft 3in; Width - 6ft 10in; Height - 8ft 3½in; WB - 9ft 11in; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 2-tons 11 cw; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes Primarily for transfer and conveyance of casualties from a crash/rescue ambulance to Unit Sick Quarters or hospital.

 

Land Rover, 4x4 (107 in wheelbase) chassis fitted with special ambulance body

Ambulance, 2/1-Stretcher, 4x4, Rover 4

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No 16A/1912 (Vehicle);16A/2283  (Chassis); 16A/2302 (Body):
Engine Rover 2-litre, petrol, 4-cyl, liquid cooled, 52 bhp @ 4,000 rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 15ft 5in; Width - 7ft 6in; Height - 6ft 3in; WB - 8ft 11in; G/C -  8in; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 1-ton 14 cwt; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes Intended for operation in mountainous and desert conditions.  Accommodation fro driver and medical officer in cab with two stretcher and an attendant cases, or three sitting, one stretcher and an attendant. Comprehensive crash/rescue equipment carried for emergency use.

 

Austin, 4x4, GS chassis fitted with Crash/Rescue Ambulance body (UK use)

Austin, 4x4, GS chassis fitted with Crash/Rescue Ambulance body (Overseas use)

Ambulance, 4-Stretcher, 4x4, Austin K9

Crown Copyright©

RAF Ref No (UK use)

16A/2245 (Vehicle); 16A/1549 (Chassis); 16A/2293 (Body):

(Overseas use)

16A/2136 (Vehicle); 16A/1549 (Chassis); 16A/2293 (Body):

Engine Austin Series 2, petrol 6-cyl, liquid cooled, 90 bhp @ 3,000 rpm
Gearbox  
Performance Max Speed - ; MPG - ; Radius of Action -
Dimensions Length - 18ft 3in; Width - 7ft 5in; Height - 9ft 5in; WB -11ft 6in ; G/C - ; TC - :
Weights Unladen - 4-tons 7 cw; Laden - :
Body  
Tyres  
Notes Immediate crash/rescue duties

This vehicle was shown in AP2782B but was shown in Air Ministry Orders, the chassis/engine details below are assumed to be the same as the Coach, 24 seater, Austin K6, 6x4

Ambulance, heavy, Austin K.6, 6 x 4

Manufacturer Austin
RAF Ref No Possibly 16A/2170 (Vehicle);
Engine Austin, 6 cyl, petrol, OHV.  Bore: 87.31 mm (3.437 in), Stroke: 111.12 mm (4.375 in), Capacity: 3.995 litres (243.8 cu in).  Max BHP - 82 at 2,900 rpm;  Max torque - 2,065 lbs/ins at 1,400 rpm.  RAC Rating - 28.37 hp
Transmission Clutch - Borg and Beck single dry plate

Gearbox - 4 speed and 1 reverse.  Ratios: 1st - 6.58 to 1, 2nd - 3.48 to 1, 3rd - 1.71 to 1, 4th - 1 to 1, reverse - 6.57 to 1:

Auxiliary Box - 2 speed.  Ratios - 1 to 1 (High) and 1.87 to 1 (Low).

Front axle - 'I' beam type.

Rear axle - Overhead worm drive, ratio - 7.75 to 1.

Overall ratios (High) - 51.0 to 1, 27.0 to 1, 13.26 to 1, 7.75 to 1, Reverse - 51.0 to 1.

Overall ratios (Low) - 95.6 to 1, 50.6 to 1, 24.8 to 1,14.5 to 1, Reverse - 95.7 to 1.

Performance Max Speed - not stated; MPG - 7; Radius of Action - 210 miles
Dimensions Length - 22 ft 9¼ in (internal - 15 ft 6 in); Width - 7 ft 3 in (internal - 7 ft 1 in); Height - 9 ft 6 in (internal - 6 ft 3 in); WB - 12 ft 9 in; BC - 4 ft 0 in; G/C - 9½ in (rear bogie); TC - 57 ft 5 in (Right), 56 ft 8 in (left); Track - 5 ft 8-1/8 in (front & rear).
Weights Unladen - not stated; Laden - not stated
Body  
Suspension Front - semi elliptical.  Rear - inverted semi-elliptical spring pivoted at centre.
Brakes Foot, Hydraulic servo assisted on all wheels. Hand brake - mechanical on rear wheels.
Wheels/Tyres 6.00x20 3-piece or Dunlop two piece wheels/9.00-20 or 10.50-20
Notes OBSOLESCENCE OF MT VEHICLES

[This order affects A.P. 2515A, Vol. 3 (3rd Edition).]

  1. The undermentioned vehicle is hereby declared obsolescent :-
     
    Ref. No. Nomenclature
    16A/2170 Ambulance, heavy, Austin K.6, 6 x 4
  2. AP 2515A, Vol. 3 (3rd Edition) will be amended.

Note. Attention is drawn to para. 7 of AMO A8/54, as amended, which defines the conditions under which obsolescent vehicles may be categorized as being beyond economical repair.

Source - Air Ministry Order A8/57 dated 9 January 1957.

This entry was last updated on 22/03/26©

[Top of Page]