UN / Canada / Cyprus beginings

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Robin Craig

When Canada first deployed to Cyprus it has been asserted that the Canadian troops used British Ferrets on loan.

Robin,

I've also read that Canadians used British Ferret scout cars in Cyprus, but it had nothing to do with a lack of scout cars available on initial deployment. Canadian Ferrets were available right from the beginning. Seven Ferrets (a troop) of the RCD were flown to Cyprus on Yukon aircraft at the same time as the R22eR. The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

The use of British Ferrets comes from photographs of Canadians using Ferrets with a turret, which the Canadian Mk I versions did not have. It might have been on the Canadian Ferret website, but the assertion was that any Canadian photographed operating a Ferret with a turret was in a British vehicle. I think the reason behind their usage was the extra protection it offered the vehicle commander. I'm afraid that's all I can recollect from what I read years ago.

So, look for photographs of Canadians operating scout cars with a turret, and then see if you can determine a British Army or Canadian Army registration number. It's as good a place as any to start.

Cheers,
Dan.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Robin,

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

My references say it was the aircraft carrier Bonaventure that brought the ferrets across.

The turrets would make sense. Far better than the chicken cages 202 made up for our ferrets.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

Dan;

HMCS Magnificent served with the RCN from 1948 to 1957, at which point, it was replaced by HMCS Bonaventure. The Magnificent‘s last mission, was that of the deployment of the Canadian UNEF contingent during the Suez crisis of 1956.

HMCS Bonaventure was involved with the deployment of the Canadian UNFICYP contingent to Cyprus in 1964, reference: paragraph 74, which reads:

"the Canadian contribution would consist of the First Battalion, the Royal 22e Regiment and a reconnaissance squadron of the Royal Canadian Dragoons.(132) The force would be airlifted to Cyprus by the R.C.A.F.'s Transport Command, and vehicles and materiel would be shipped on board the aircraft carrier H.M.C.S. Bonaventure.(133),"

of DIRECTORATE OF HISTORY - CANADIAN FORCES HEADQUARTERS - Report Number 4 - Canada and Peace-keeping Operations, dated 22 October 1965.

Cheers

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

The remainder of the squadron arrived on HMCS Magnificent with the rest of the heavy vehicles.

Must have been a typo. Of course I meant the Bonaventure. Damn stubby fingers.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

Must have been a typo. Of course I meant the Bonaventure. Damn stubby fingers.

[oldlithgow]

This old thread may be of some help.
http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/showthread.php?t=8628

[Robin Craig]

Dear All,

I know I go on a bit about things but proof always wins out in the end. Thank you for your replies thus far.

I am a royal pain on this subject I know.

This is the only image I have been able to find. Have a look at it and tell me what you think, there are some interesting details if you look closely.

Regards

Robin

[Robin Craig]

And here is a closer look

R

[Robin Craig]

I have also just found this, 8th Hussars in Germany.

Frankly I think we have a smoking gun here.

Second image of a Ferret in Canadian service with a turret but in a different theatre.

So, my deduction is that there is proof here that Canada used at least one turreted Ferret fair and square.

Next will be to find details of it, if we ever can,

R