In April Zachau Design went to Bucha in a VW Transporter 4WD that the company donated to Hug in Gothenburg. The reason was to participate in the hands-on work converting the van into a CASEVAC vehicle. Zachau Design wants to gain experience from this kind of work to be able to develop CASEVAC concepts in the future. The duration of the stay was just over two weeks and the experience was more than just rebuilding vehicles. It also offered very personal stories told by Ukrainians living in the Kiev area stretching from the terrible killing of civilians in Bucha to the general situation of living and working under the pressure of war.
Maidan in Kiev, the great cathedral in Bucha with its more than 500 plaquettes to honour the memory of the brutally killed civilians during the Russian occupation of the town.
When the cars arrived to Bucha they were taken care of by the development team that consists of three mechanics. These guys were servicing and customizing motorcycles before the war started but changed their business into developing CASEVACs for the Ukrainian army. They work long days and a great deal of the work is on voluntary basis. The vans were measured, inspected and stripped of interior panels before the development could start.
This is what a finished CASEVAC could look like. But it all starts with a lot of welding of every single additional component or system.
The first major system added is the floor replacing the old wooden one. This has to be durable, slip prove and easy to clean. Later on the individual stretcher structure will be welded and mounted. This contains storage boxes and electrical components like the invertor. On top of this the stretcher will be secured. The interior will then be completed with LED lights in red and white and darkening curtains that will prevent detection by Russian forces.
The interior finally contains storage boxes and -pockets on the wall. The stretcher in position as well as medical equipment and -apparatuses. Splinter protection and thermic insulation will cover the windows.
On the exterior roof rack, ladder, LED lights, ambulance beacons and (night vision-) cameras will be added. And finally the Opticam camouflage paint will be added. The ugly duckling from Sweden has now become a swan…… Of course it would be better if these rescue vehicles were not needed in Ukraine. But the situation given makes them most wanted.
And please support Hug in Gothenburg so they can fund more of these vehicles to be sent to Ukraine!