The military vehicle known in official US nomenclature as Truck, 1/4 Ton, 4x4, is probably the world’s most famous design in its class. This iconic WWII vehicle was produced from 1941-45, with more than 634,000 rolling off American production lines. These small 4x4 vehicles were employed in numerous battlefield tasks, with one role being that of an ambulance.
For this purpose they were typically converted in the field to carry stretchers, so that wounded could be transported to first aid clinics. Various types of frames were fitted to increase their stretcher-carrying capacity. These makeshift ambulances were used thus in both WWII and in the Korean War.
Dragon has produced an exciting 1/35 scale kit of just such a 1/4-Ton 4x4 Ambulance Truck. Based on Dragon’s original 1/4-Ton 4x4 Truck kits, there are many new parts to help create the ambulance variant, including a frame on the rear compartment and the stretchers themselves. One stretcher in the kit is shown in its normal configuration, while another is shown folded up. The windscreen folded flat onto the hood is protected by a cover, while under the hood is an extremely realistic-looking engine that assembles from multiple parts. To add to the attraction of this magnetic little kit is a full set of six GI figures dressed in winter gear. Among them is a suitably equipped medic. This ambulance kit from Dragon is ready for any emergency!
