Posted by Lyle Van Wert on December 28, 1998 at 21:39:44:
In Reply to: 1952 B-4-PW-126 1-TON NAVY AMBULANCE posted by MIKE JOHNSON on December 28, 1998 at 16:14:21:
According to John Zentmyer Dodge supplied 281 civilian PWs in 1951 to the Gerstenslager Body Co. for Navy ambulances. They are quite simmilar to the later M615 ambulances that were made by the Mark Body Co. (The Production Story, by John Zentmyer 1987). I have one of these Gerstenslager Ambualnces but I haven,t looked at the data plates in a long time. I know of one other Dodger that has one out east. I have seen a couple for sale over the years. I have a really nice black and white photo of one when new and decked out in Navy grey with all the trimmings. I could send you a photo copy if you send me your address. I will go out in the AM and read all the data plates and get back to you. Apparently the Navy wanted ambulances and couldn't wait for the M43 to be released or didn't want to get in line and wait during Korea. I also have a Gerstenslager Power Wagon Station Wagon (kind of like a Power Wagon Carry-all). I don't know who they built it for. It's like the one they call an ambulance in the Arabian Expedition series of stories in Vintage PW's quarterly. I know of one other in California. Later Lyle