N.O.S. Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Just caught the last 20 minutes of this film - great stuff as always. Two ambulances were used - a 4 x 2 and a 4 x 4. The front driven axle and propshaft from the transfer box (which featured heavily) seem to appear and disappear almost constantly during the journey! Was there ever such a beast as the 4 x 4 K2, or was it just a special for the film? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brinv8 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 Tis a long time ago, but I seem to remember that the 4x4 was a special, in fact a Dodge Weapons Carrier (I believe), running gear and an Austin K2 body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I think they just fitted a CMP front axle and transfer box to a standard K2 for the film. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 There were at least two vehicles used in the film. One has the side cut out for filming internal shots, one was a modified, either a Chevy or CMP, opinion is very hotly didvided and a straight K2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaw Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 not to mention the wrecker and long tow cable situated over the hill for the famous starting handle ascent scenes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 And... The Series 1 round the corner in the last shot. Half the time it's more fun to be at the back of film, than in front watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woa2 Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I think they just fitted a CMP front axle and transfer box to a standard K2 for the film. I saw the film today and agree the front axle is CMP looking at the hubs. Not sure, but I'm thinking it's a Chev axle. Good film, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHillyard Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053935/trivia The Austin K2 Ambulance used was actually four wheel drive and had presumably been converted for the movie using a front axle and wheels from a Canadian Military Pattern truck along with a transfer box and prop shafts. The hubs are slightly different to that on a normal K2 and the differential housing of the live axle can be seen on some shots. It was probably changed so it could extricate itself more easily in the shots where it was bogged down. There's seems to have been 2 Austin K2s used for "Katy" as in some shots it has the driven front axle and in others the original beam axle fitted to these vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzaw Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 and the 'bar' in the final scenes is actually the FIAT centre in Tripoli Libya and nowhere near Alexandria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredm Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I saw john mills on a chat show some years ago and he said the scene at the end when he downs a lager in one go had to have a few takes and he was quite merry at the end, how good does sylvia sims look in that film I love all these old brit war films they are a bit corny at times but great o watch its my age I suppose it was such a different time then, and I am new to this site but great work to all you restorers you are a brave bunch but there are some great restored motors on here well done, fredm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MHillyard Posted March 30, 2012 Share Posted March 30, 2012 I saw john mills on a chat show some years ago and he said the scene at the end when he downs a lager in one go had to have a few takes and he was quite merry at the end, how good does sylvia sims look in that film I love all these old brit war films they are a bit corny at times but great o watch its my age I suppose it was such a different time then, and I am new to this site but great work to all you restorers you are a brave bunch but there are some great restored motors on here well done, fredm http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053935/trivia In the bar scene in Alexandria, John Mills was drinking real beer because ginger ale and other substitutes didn't look real enough on film. In the final cut (the 14th take) he actually was quite drunk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Ford-Simms Posted June 13, 2020 Share Posted June 13, 2020 I have been told by a former work colleague the there were 3 original K2's used for the film, one of which is still a runner and preserved by the Ambulance heritage. This one was also used in the 1969 Batlle of Britain movie.For a few years it was kept in storage at Kingsmill ambulance station in Nottinghamshire. Every time I ended up there, I would spend some time having a look or sitting in the Katie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rootes75 Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 I found this: The Austin K2 ambulance used was four wheel drive, and had presumably been converted for the movie using a front axle and wheels from a Canadian Military Pattern truck, along with a transfer case and prop drive shafts. The hubs are slightly different to that on a normal K2, and the differential housing of the live axle can be seen on some shots. It was probably changed so it could extricate itself more easily in the shots where it was bogged down. There's seems to have been two Austin K2s used for "Katy", as in some shots, it has the driven front axle, and in others, the original beam axle fitted to these vehicles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Green Posted December 6, 2020 Share Posted December 6, 2020 It’s the Land Rover ‘Hiding’ in a side street as they arrive in Alex, that I like! 1940/1 era film with a vehicle only invented in 1948! Such a great film, so C’Est la vie’! Bit like the wrist watch in Ben Hur! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert condick Posted January 7, 2021 Share Posted January 7, 2021 (edited) Hi NOS, Just some pics, Note the unit plate for 16 area (Alexandria). 502 MAC (unit serial 2388), 238 for HQ unit regs Rupert Just a game. Edited November 22, 2023 by rupert condick more informatio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wally dugan Posted January 8, 2021 Share Posted January 8, 2021 just watched it again there are two times that the divisional sign in shot one at the crossing of the mine field but grainy and when van der pol is in the mire a little bit better and it does appear to be the 9th Australian Division who were in Tobruk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert condick Posted January 22, 2022 Share Posted January 22, 2022 (edited) Hi All just some pics, the other Katy.note the odd sand sand matt, most likely done to throw sand up in the air when filming, as its too short as well. regs Rupert Edited November 22, 2023 by rupert condick more information 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Ellson Posted September 2, 2022 Share Posted September 2, 2022 Katy has a 5 ton bridge plate whereas a standard ambulance has a 4 ton bridge plate...so probably a k2/y body was fitted onto a 5 ton chassis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert condick Posted September 3, 2022 Share Posted September 3, 2022 hi Snowy Later wartime Ambulances in the M.E. had the bridge plate changed to 5 tons,as they carried a lot more stuff.Circa 1943 so after Tobruk, these c1941 (contract A.1445) model Austin K2Y ambulances, roundels not used after 1944, these ambulance's have camonetting supports fitted that came in c1943.and larger cross. It the film there are quite a lot of errors, the chassis is and Austin Chassis, its only the axles and transfer box that are are from a chevrolet (Blitz)C8A/X, see the hyde park pics above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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