Oxford’s Bedford CF Hanlon Ambulance makes its second appearance in the livery of the London Ambulance Service.  However, there is a twist – our Oxford replica is based on a similar vehicle which appeared in an episode of Only Fools and Horses, when con man Ernie used it as a fake ambulance to escape after scamming Del and friends.

Our 1:76 scale vehicle appears in the customary white with black and red trim and red/gold external graphics. The colourful Ambulance Service crest is positioned on both sides behind the cab windows and the roof has had two blue beacons applied together with an air horn/siren painted red above the windscreen. The side and rear windows are blacked out with chrome surrounds.  Note the single wheels on the rear chassis too.    The interior is moulded in black apart from the dark grey seating and white interior doors/rear partition.  Our model is registered PPJ 863X from 1981.

The Bedford CF was a very popular full size commercial van which Bedford produced between 1969 and 1986. Its versatility lent itself to many uses and it was a particular favourite for Ambulance Services with conversions being carried out by specialist coach builders, including the Irish company Hanlon.  It represents an important era in ambulance production and will also fill a key gap in the collections of emergency vehicle enthusiasts.