Austin K2A GS: RAF?

Hanno Spoelstra · #1 14-10-06, 21:56

A KTR club member, Henk Minne, has just taken delivery of his new pride & joy: an Austin K2A GS Truck. It originally came from Guernsey, and was bought by a collector in Belgium and then Holland.

Can anyone supply more information on the use of the Austin K2A GS truck in Commonwealth service? As far as Henk can tell this type of truck was used only by the RAF and/or RN.

Information re. RAF livery is welcome, too. E.g, what does the "V/38" stand for?

Thanks in advance!

Hanno

Richard Farrant · #2 14-10-06, 22:56

Hanno,

I am sure this truck was at one time in Jersey, belonging to a guy named Nick. On one of our MV tours in the island, late 1980's, we were taken on a trip around the island's narrow lanes in the back of it. On dismounting, we were told it had no brakes

Attached is a picture of a late war RAF version showing canopy hoops and rails in stowed positions. Both Army and RAF had these in service.

I know of two in preservation in South Australia, one was with us on the Back To The Track convoy run from Alice Springs to Darwin, and was known as the "pommy truck".

Richard

Hanno Spoelstra · #3 15-10-06, 08:55

Thanks for the pic and info, Richard!

It seems the GS body in your picture had higher sides than the one on the survivor.

Attached goes a scan from Vanderveen's Observer's Fighting Vehicles Directory WWII. Turns out the K2 was the closed cab version of the Truck, 30-cwt, 4x2, GS (Austin K30).
Since the 30-cwt class was largely replaced by the 3-ton class during WW2, I was surprised to learn the K2 was produced from 1939 right up to 1945. Would the production numbers include the K2/Y ambulance?

Hanno

Hanno Spoelstra · #4 15-10-06, 11:20

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
Vanderveen's Observer's Fighting Vehicles Directory WWII

Bart also lists the Austin K2/YF 2-ton 4x2 truck. I could not find any more information about it on the internet, except that there is a 1:76 scale model kit.

Richard Farrant · #5 15-10-06, 19:25

Quote:

Originally posted by Hanno Spoelstra
It seems the GS body in your picture had higher sides than the one on the survivor.

Turns out the K2 was the closed cab version of the Truck, 30-cwt, 4x2, GS (Austin K30).
Since the 30-cwt class was largely replaced by the 3-ton class during WW2, I was surprised to learn the K2 was produced from 1939 right up to 1945. Would the production numbers include the K2/Y ambulance?

Hanno,

I am certain that the body on your friends Austin, does not have original sides. If you look at the vertical bars it is divided in to three, the original would have been four. Austins did seem to have higher sides, even the K3 3 tonner was like this.

The K2 is not a closed cab version of a K30 30 cwt. It is a replacement with 2 ton load capacity and would seem to have been used more by RAF, maybe it was the K30 that was mostly used by the army. The RAF used it for the following roles, GS, Domestic Fire Tender, Instrument and Electrical Servicing Workshop and 9kw Power Equipment, not forgetting the Ambulance.

The 30 cwt class was phased out in 1941 (Ford WOT3 and Bedford OXD ceased production at about the same time), not before about 4,500 of them were supplied. The Ambulance production was 13,102. All these production figures are from a Mike Conniford article from around 1983.

Richard

Les Freathy · #6 16-10-06, 10:25

I like the old Austin trucks maybe because i part own a civilian K" 2 tonner, here is a further photo of the open cab version these were produced up untill about 1942 and then with the steel cab but from this point as the 3 tonner. What is intriqueing about the open cab is the KY3 6x4 version of which photos seem to be evasive, in all the years i have been into this hobby i have only obtained one photo i know a fair number were built and some went to france in 1939 so where are all the pictures, is someone going to make my day with a new shot. Funny to see that model come up Hanno i remember building that for CMSC a few years back i believe the master is now in Germany with United hobby

Les Freathy · #7 16-10-06, 10:26

the steel cab version

Les Freathy · #8 16-10-06, 10:27

And a Katy for good luck
Les

Iain Wyllie · #9 16-10-06, 19:16

As far as I can see, V/38 was the Command and Unit identification code and should have been painted on the opposite side to the RAF roundel. The letter indicated the command and V was No 44 Transport Group. The number 38 indicated the unit.

Hanno Spoelstra · #10 23-04-07, 00:08

Another rare Austin, this time an Austin K3Y dating from 1939. Recently turned up for sale on MilWeb.

Quote:

Civil Defence Heavy Rescue Vehicle.
Austin K3Y 1939.
I believe there to be only one other like this in the country and that is in IWM Duxford, but I could be wrong, but never the less it is a very rare vehicle.
This is a very nice and useable show vehicle and is 99% original. Much work has been done and new tyres fitted for the rally season last year when it was only lightly shown.Excellent for spending the weekend in, dry and warm.
The engine runs as sweet as a nut and I have a few spare parts to go with it.
After the Civil Defence was disbanded many of these vehicles were bought by Fire Brigades, so a nice coat of shiney red paint and the fire engine boys can have a vintage emergency tender.
The vehicle is in East Lothian, Scotland.

£7500 ono.

David_Hayward (RIP) · #11 23-04-07, 08:54

Are these ex-military?

David_Hayward (RIP) · #12 23-04-07, 08:56

I assume that this was "civilian"

David_Hayward (RIP) · #13 23-04-07, 09:01

K2/Y ambulances on Longbridge line

David_Hayward (RIP) · #14 23-04-07, 09:03

This is the famous K2/Y captured by the Heer in N Africa, then re-captured and sent back to Longbridge.

Les Freathy · #15 23-04-07, 12:55

Hi David would say the green van is ex Katy ambulance, the second is the NFS fire tender and the third is i am sure a conversion from one of the NFS survivers. I have a couple of photos of wartime canteens based on the K2 but they differ to your photo
cheers
Les

Les Freathy · #16 07-05-08, 23:00

Some weeks ago Radek ask to see a photo of my civvy Austin K2, now search as i may i cant find the particular thread for his request so have put it here hopefully he will find it
cheers
Les

Mike Kelly · #17 08-05-08, 03:13

Just two weeks back , I attended a small local car swap meet, just Nth. of Warragul. I spied the headlights/grill asembly, and radiator from a Austin K series truck sitting in a guy's trailer . I asked him "where is the rest of the truck" , "It's sitting in a paddock" he replied . The grill was in good order , so I assume the rest of the truck was OK too . I'm sure it was a post war example , but still , there not common at all around here .

Mike

Radek · #18 11-05-08, 09:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

This is the famous K2/Y captured by the Heer in N Africa, then re-captured and sent back to Longbridge.

Here is the better picture of the sme K2s.

lynx42 · #19 11-05-08, 10:09

The two K2's mentioned by Richard F. both are ex-RAAF and have the headlights down below the grill. In Radek's photo the two K2's have different headlight placement. The FOUND one had the lights set up on the grill and the other one has them down below the grill as do the 2 SA ones.
Almost oll the K2 ambulance photos show the lights up on the grill.

Who can explain it.

Rick

David_Hayward (RIP) · #20 11-05-08, 12:15

Here's some more!