Canadian Ferrets

Mike Timoshyk · #1 19-05-08, 07:56

Why is the soldier on the right in the Gaza strip photograph holding his backside with both hands?

I suggest to you that it is the first recorded case of "Yalla-Yalla"

for the contingent. If the pic was taken seconds later you would seen him "on the run". ( I speak from experience)

Cheers

Mike Timoshyk in Windsor Ontario

Ed Storey · #2 28-12-08, 03:02

Here is a photograph of a RCE Ferret 54-82620 in Germany 1957. I see it ended up in Petawawa in 1981.

maple_leaf_eh · #3 30-12-08, 18:03

Check out these Ferrets! More for the tally. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

http://www.armouredacorn.com/photoscan.html

Dan Martel · #4 03-01-09, 22:19

Colin,

The only Ferret scout car trivia that I have comes from the archives at DHH.

In April, 1962 the Director of Equipment Policy, a Colonel GM Rolfe, responded to an earlier inquiry from the DSD with a list of all of the equipment held by the Army as of that date. The list was broken down into four annexes for vehicles, weapons, electronics and aircraft.

Under the vehicles annex it shows a total of 123 scout cars (one shy of the number initially acquired). The list shows a distribution of 39 in Europe, 72 in the CA(R), 0 in the CA(M), 6 being used in schools and 6 in RCOC depot stock.

I know it's not much but I thought you would be interested.

I also noticed in an earlier message you stated that two of the vehicles were written off after fires. Do you have the dates of the write off? It appears that one occurred before 1962.

Dan

Dan Martel · #5 09-01-09, 21:33

Found this photo of Ferrets on parade in 1986. The lead two are from the 4th/7th Dragoons. The two following in the closest file are from the Glosters. Back in line the crew commanders are wearing red over white hackles denoting the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. Note the Berlin Brigade tactical sign on the left fender, RAC AOS on the right, the Union Jack on the lower front centre and regimental insignia on the front of the turrets. The turret weapons appear to be .30 cal mmg's (based on the what I can see of the barrel) but I could be wrong on that.

Camouflage appears to be black and olive, and the tires have been shined up for the parade.

As has been stated previously the British Army continued to find a use for the Ferret well after the Canadian Forces retired it, and also after its replacement, the Fox, came into service.

Dan

Brad Mills · #6 10-01-09, 17:08

Another photo of 03 CC 23 doing what Ferrets did best... :-)

jkftl · #7 03-07-09, 00:54

I have asked several folks on FH but they can't help. I have a mystery Mk1. It has the features of Canadian vehicles, as follows:

1. Came with US M-series marker light pots on hand-built heavy steel brackets. I can't stand them and removed.
2. Guard bars over oil cooler
3. US Vietnam-era alternator installed and generator box gone; many taped wire joints. Civilian turn-signal unit hose-clamped to steering gear (original missing).
4. Cold-start modification (hole punched in carburettor horn)
5. Tubular marker light guards on all fenders
6. Angle front/side windows
7. Red leatherette seat cushions (remains)
8. Evidence of removed data plate over driver's right shoulder
9. Many disused studs welded around interior. I cut off 56 of them.
10. Eight flame-cut holes in rear for mounting UNEF auxiliary gas cans.
11. Upper rear spare threaded stud cut off
12. There are NO hull numbers anywhere
13. There is a nice number stamped at the lower edge of the Glacis plate: 00002 0039
14. I found a RCEME rebuild tag on the transmission, dated 1978
15. Several main armor plates are lightly stamped with various numbers, all starting with D 59, then 3 or 4 more digits on the next line
16. I found an interesting number magic-markered on the underside of the angled piece of sheet steel on top of the stowage bin under the left escape hatch; 58395. Could it be vehicle #395, contract year 1958?
17. I received the vehicle with nasty hand-daubed green camo paint and no identifying numbers. Unfortunately I was not present during sandblasting, and information could have been lost at that time.
18. The previous owner never did much to the vehicle over the 15 years he had it. He lived north of Chicago. It was really ugly when it arrived here (Ft. Lauderdale) but the engine ran nicely. Neither the previous owner nor I ever moved it under its own power. I haven't checked bevel boxes or fluid coupling, but the gearbox has nice lube in it.

OK, guys...let's put our heads and collected knowledge together and identify this machine. Serious restoration is underway, and I will need something credible to put on the title application. If you need further information, I can be your eyes.

John Kessler

mikethebike · #8 11-03-10, 22:35

Great to see my Ferret in service (03 CC 23), I have what I think is the complete in-service records ... which is nice

Not sure what "VSD Berlin" is, as that is where it was attached in '86
Looking more closely at the record card, it was actually in "D" sqn 4/7 DG from 81 thru 83, maybe it was still marked up as such later?

Mick

Brad Mills · #9 17-03-10, 01:49

Mick,

Nice to see photos of ones vehicle actually in service.

I wish I could find some of mine, 02DA45, she was with 1 Para in Northen Ireland during Bloody Sunday. 1st Para Bn was the resident battalion based from 21 Sept 70 to 25 May 72 at Palace Barracks, Hollywood, north east of Belfast. Note: Inf and Para Bns are not issued with scout cars. However, NI was a special case.
Still searching for pics...

VSD = Vehicle Sub-Depot
CVD = Central Vehicle Depot
These are armoured vehicle storage depots.

Cheers