RPM:s 1/72 Ford T Ambulance

During World War One the Ford Model “T” was one of the most widely used vehicles. Just the British Army used some 19.000 of them, and to this should be added all those employed by the Americans after their entry into the war. What made the “T” popular was not so much it’s performance, which was not spectacular, as it’s reliability, ruggedness, low cost and ease of maintainance and repair.

The design was extremely simple. The front and rear axles were solid, and set on a single transverse leaf spring. The engine was an a 2.9-litre four-cylinder side-valve engine developing 20 or 22 bhp at 1600rpm (depending on compression ratio). A two-speed planetary transmission used belts rather than gears and had only two forward speeds plus one reverse. The gears were operated by a two-pedal actuation – this made for easier driving than using a conventional stick operated sliding-gear gearbox. There were no brake as such: instead there was a contracting band on the transmission and hand-operated expansion brakes on the rear wheels. There was no self-starter; the engine had to be cranked by hand.

Its success came also from the ease that it let itself be adapted into a large number of diferent roles: staff car, of course, light cargo truck, for sure, but also as light vans, light patrol cars, liason vehicles and even as rail tractors. And also the variant shown here: as ambulance. During World War I, before the entry of the United States into the war, some charitable organizations offered Model “T” ambulances to the Allied forces. The standard Ford Model “T” was provided, but without any bodywork beyond the cowl. Legend have it that the first ten ambulance bodies were made out of the wood of the transport cases! Later bodies were produced by the grand carrossier Kellner of Boulogne, near Paris. The ambulance could carry three patients in litters or four patients seated, and two more could always sit up front with the driver. Canvas "pockets" covered the litter handles, which stuck out at the rear, beyond the tailgate.

It proved to be a very good ambulance. It’s light weight made it well-suited for use on the muddy and shell-torn roads in forward combat areas; and if it got stuck in a hole, a group of soldiers could haul it out without much ado. It was also, as stated, very easy to maintain and repair, and it could take a lot of punishment. By November 1918, 4.362 Model "T" ambulances had been shipped overseas. It was also the most common ambulance used by the Allies during the war. Many American field service and Red Cross volunteer drivers drove Model "T" ambulances, including writer Ernest Hemingway and future cartoonist Walt Disney.

Contents of the kit:

The moulding is very fine, save for a couple of sink marks. There is no flash on the parts themselves. The plastic is soft, and easy to work with.

The fit is quite adequate, although not great. You are advised to dry-fit the parts first. The accuracy of the kit is very good. As I see it, the only things missing are the stays for the canvas top - you see them clearly on the colour box art -, the back light (see the photos above, but as you get six small lights with the kit, this is no problem) and also the rear tarpulin, covering the opening to the stretcher compartment. Also, the texture of the canvas-top could be improved, making a bit more, well, canvas-like. But that's all, as far as I can see.

The plan is clear and very instructive, the decals, although sparse, are quite adequate. 

I could mention, that as an alternative to the green camo, these vehicles were originally painted grey.

For an article om super-detailing this kit, click here!

We are not spoilt for choice when it comes to plastic kits of WW1 softskins, and I think it is fitting that this important vehicle is now covered by RPM. It is a very good kit! Highly recommended!