In 1947 France - and all of Europe - was rebuilding after the devastation of World War II. Essential to this cause was the International Red Cross, whose noble efforts had been alleviating the pain of war and the chaos of displacement throughout the conflict. France was one of the charter members of the Red Cross when it beganin the late 19th century through the initial efforts of Henry Dunant.

In France, the Croix-Reuge Francaise is divided into 97 departments that range from Ain to Yvelines. Its activities include not only local emergencies such as the avalanches of the late 1990s, but international crises as well. Indeed, the Croix-Reuge Francaise is a visible presence wherever the Red Cross is needed - whether in famine-stricken Africa, flood-ravaged Asia or war-torn Eastern Europe.

Now, a classic Citroen from the rebuilding year of 1947 is recreated in a magnificent die-cast model that celebrates the work done by the Croix-Reuge Francaise - the French Red Cross. Marked with the official graphics of the Croix-Reuge Francaise and precision-engineered, your meticulously detailed French Field Service Ambulance 1947 Citroen Van is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

(1999)

Scale: 1:43