RAF Austin K2/YF 2Ton Tender

[simon king]

Does anybody know the RAF Type Number for the Austin K2/YF 2 Ton Tender? The list I have in “Wheels of the RAF” seems not to cover it.

 

thanks

[RAFMT]

Hi Simon

The short answer is there isn't one.

The long answer: The type numbers were introduced in preparation for the planned invasion of the continent. They were meant to facilitate easy communication for replacing lost equipment. If your 3 ton tender broke down/was lost at sea/got stolen by some brown jobs then you could request a Type 1300 replacement. It didn't really matter what make of 3 ton tender you got, they all did the same job.

For whatever reason there was no type number allocated for Tenders, 2 ton. The Domestic Fire Tender, based on the K2, was given the number 2201. The Ambulance (not that the RAF used them at home in any numbers before the war ended) would have carried the number 1700.

Perhaps they were given the number 1400, for 30 cwt Tender? What jobs would they be doing that required a 2 tonner that couldn't be accomplished with either a 30cwt or a 3 tonner?

 

[simon king]

Thanks - that’s very helpful.

[ted angus]

Is it possible that the Austin k2 entered RAF. Service very late in Ww2 . It does not appear in the tables in AP 3090 edition 1 Published in August 1944. I dont think I have actually seen  Ww2 photo of one ? Thoughts ? Ted.

[RAFMT]

More than possible Ted.

I've seen a photo (which I'll have to try and find) of a K2 GS carrying aircrew earlier in the war, but this could be one of those oddities, a random vehicle that found its way into use.