See the Ambulance Start For the First Time

World War 1 Ambulance Project

Visit all of our videos on VBMA TV

Photo Galleries of Our Work

Donations

The Purpose of the World War 1 Ambulance Project
On Wednesday, the 23^rd of September, 2014, the Vancouver Barracks Military Association voted to raise and expend a sum of not more than $4,500 to construct a replica of a U.S. Army M1917 Ambulance for use as a working interpretive display, to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of World War 1.  This ambulance would be driven in parades, or set up in reenactment or museum type displays, with VBMA members acting as interpreters of the history of World War 1, both in the United States and Europe.

To learn more about the United States' participation in World War I, please follow this link:

World War 1 Ambulances

In World War I, ambulances were not the special vehicles the military uses today.  They were quite simple and quick to build, but could be shoddily built, which is why there are not many around today.  These ambulances, given the model number M1917, were Model-T automobiles, with the body removed; which was replaced by a simple box type driver's compartment and patient compartment in back. This was made out of wood and wood products

Here are two model kits showing the M1917 Ambulances

 

Here are some examples of different ambulances in Europe.

 

 

 

Here is our reproduction of a M1917 Ambulance

 

 

The Cost

Believe it or not, this is project did not cost tens of thousands of dollars.  There are many working Model-Ts still in existence, and we purchased one in 2015 for less than $3,000.  The VBMA spent a year raising funds, acquiring parts and lumber, and drawing plans for the ambulance.   Between 2015 and 2017, we completed work on the ambulance. In all, it took nearly $3,000 more in cash to purchase necessary parts, while several thousand dollars worth of other parts were donated, or sold to us at a discount.  In addition to parts, and donated work space, volunteers donated several hundred hours of their time to completing the ambulance. 

Three VBMA members, Jack Giesen, Jason Sample, and Tim Shotwell are military vehicle collectors and restorers.  Working with many other volunteer, they oversaw the repairs on the Model-T engine and chassis, and the construction of the ambulance body.  The VBMA officially unveiled the ambulance over Memorial Day week in 2017.  By Veteran's Day, the ambulance took part in Veterans Day commemorations in Vancouver, Washington.

Donations

For technical or financial information and donations, you can contact Jeff Davis at President@vbma.us.  
To donate immediately, follow this link to the VBMA’s paypal donation site. 

 2017 Events