Canadian Ferret surfaces in NJ

[Robin Craig]

There are many things that we look for in establishing the provenance of articles and vehicles. Patina is one of them and it is without just about impossible to fake. When sand blasting is done or painting and items are shielded or masked it leaves evidence behind. These lights have remnants of a very well known paint scheme that most of you know very well

[Robin Craig]

Fitting of country specific items can be faked by bolting them on but the number of modifications that are typical to a country of use such as how Canadian Ferrets were modified becomes a very conclusive smoking gun. The Canadian replacement of the British generator with an M series one and the addition of the civvy turn signal unit attached by a gear clamp to the steering column and the addition of a gauge to show charging are such typical details

[Robin Craig]

While there are a stack of approved modification in relation to Ferrets in Canadian service, it has become very clear to me, and has been poinyted out by others, that not all modifications were done to all vehicles in service and there is a variation to that level.

It appears that this one has had the early style of bolted deck upgraded to having the 1/4 turn locks in the back corner. There is a uniform pattern still visible where the old bolts holes went.

[Robin Craig]

The rear armour on Canadian Ferrets has been often modified by the removal of the light for illuminating the licence plate and the addition of footman loops welded to the top of the armour to secure the two jerry cans held in the M series style mounts as show by the four bolt pattern.

[Robin Craig]

just recently I posted a request looking for parts related to this heater modification which has been looped here and the heater is not present inside the vehicle

[Robin Craig]

Typical with most Canadian used Ferrets is the M series lighting on all four corners

[Robin Craig]

The finally, some will claim that Canada only used square side hatched vehicles, but there is no documentation to prove that assertion and this vehicle is the same as my c/s 31 which has the sloped side hatch.

While the square hatched vehicles all seem to have a very well followed and documented stamping of the CFR on the front flat surface armour this one does not which is consistent to mine.

I assert most strongly that all the previous patina and equipment fitment is overwhelming evidence that this vehicle is an ex Canadian Ferret desite the lack of stamped in CFR.

I know that Paul and I looked and looked on his yesterday and have decided that we will engage an NDT type to use etching to see if we can find the stamping evidence. Lacking that I am very happy to asure myself both these vehicles are not made up wanna be Canadian Ferrets but genuine vehicles that did not happen to follow the standard.

I found it amusing that despite no outward evidence on the left fender of any holes to mount a CFR plate when I delved under Pauls and offered a CFR plate I had brought with me to the two blobs of drooping bondo they matched up perfectly with the spacing of the plate, very interesting eh?

The oil cooler is an early style that I have only ever seen in manuals and not in person which was a great first for me