Canadian Ferrets 1975 CFB Meaford

[Grant Bowker]

My first thought when M135 was mentioned was that the wheelhouses within the cargo box might be a nuisance. I agree that the cab in post 2 photo 2 might be M135. In post 2 photo 1, the cargo box might have the angle braces ahead and behind the wheelhouse that I associate with the M135 - not sure.

[Ed Storey]

Besides the M813A1 5 ton, the other vehicle could have been a M211 as they had flat cargo floors. Either way, the Ferrets seem to be sitting on something as the wheels are higher then the floor levels of the two cargo bodies.

[Wayne Hingley]

Grant, your observation of the cargo box in post #2 first photo is interesting. The Ferret in that box is sitting higher than the Ferret in the 5-ton behind it. Note the height of cargo box in relation to the axle-hub of the Ferret.

[rob love]

For a timeline I would guess at 1976 or 1977. There are what appears to be Chev 5/4 tons in the background along with a Dodge M152, so it was during the transition. And I think the 5 ton diesels were 1976 vintage, but I can't be sure. They might have been 1974....I'll have to check the EDR viewer.

It well could be that they put a ferret into a regular deuce with the wheelwells, and made the wooden spacers to fit above the wells. We used to do that for Jeeps, but a Jeep only weighs a third of what a ferret weighs. As I said before, you really are pushing the envelope with a ferret in the back of a deuce.

[Ed Storey]

The M813A1 5 Tons were brought into service in Jan 1976.

[Ed Storey]

Here are some images of the various Canadian M Series truck bodies.

M135CDN.jpg
M135CDN

M211CDN.jpg
M211CDN

M54.jpg
M54

M813A1.jpg
M813A1

[Wayne Hingley]

Great photos to compare the various cargo boxes Ed. The M135 box is least like any of the other truck boxes, including the M211. In the post #2 photo, it looks to me like the forward angled rib of the box (over the rear wheel) matches that of the M135.

I agree with Rob... if that is an M135, it has a big load on it's back.

[rob love]

Is that a piece of heavy armour in the background in that photo? Is it a Leo?

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

The M813A1 5 Tons were brought into service in Jan 1976.

Thanks Ed...the grey matter is getting a little greyer these days. I thought that was the year.

[Ed Storey]

It is a Centurion, Canada did not get the Leopard until 1978.

[rob love]

I honestly couldn't tell which tank it was.If it were a Leo, then it would date the photo to 78, but it would be unlikely that a M152 and a Canadian Leo would be on the same ex.