Canadian Ferret 54-82588

[Robin Craig]

I know where Colin Stevens site list this vehicle going to, has anyone esle got any sightings?

[Robin Craig]

So,

I went to buy this water can on Monday, it was on Kijiji but down in Port Perry, I had to wait until a work trip me past the door.

I was working of only one picture of the can and it showed one side only.

Upon arrival I was greeted by the side that had the CFR showing, a shiver went down my spine, as I was fairly sure that the series of the CFR was a Ferret but couldn't be sure.

The seller threw in the older round side bracket as well which had been a separate item.

I was blown away that a card tag was still attached. Sadly it seems that the Ferret was destroyed on the ranges at Dundurn SK but I will leave the water can as is but just tidied up.

[Dano McLaren]

Very cool. Congrats!!!

[Ed Storey]

That is a nice find!

[Robin Craig]

My intention is that I will do nothing but clean it and put it on my (to be restored) CF Ferret and when asked why the CFR doesnt match my vehicle I will simply tell the story and say why does everything have to match and have you never seen one vehicle crew borrow something (steal) from another crew.

[Ed Storey]

Robin, you have a lovely Jerry Can and I certainly agree with you that all it needs is a little cleaning. Fantastic idea to show it with your restored Ferret although unfortunately the 'not everything has to match' theory in this particular case does not apply as the at the time when the cans were marked they did match the vehicle - that is why the CFR was painted on the can. You are better off to adapt the approach that the can you have is original as found, it was used on a CF Ferret, you have saved it and in this case it illustrates quite well that for accountability back in 1960s the cans were marked to a specific vehicle.

Please also be mindful of how you use the term 'stealing' when talking to the public or amongst other enthusiasts. I am not sure what your military background was, but theft of kit and equipment between vehicle crews and other personnel is not encouraged and is generally dealt with quite severely.

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Ed Storey

theft of kit and equipment between vehicle crews and other personnel is not encouraged and is generally dealt with quite severely.

Not in my experience. There were rarely repercussions when stuff was appropriated from one vehicle to another. It was so common, the losing party could only blame themselves for not having their kit secure. This could range from D-rings to doors to batteries to spare tires.

I did see a transport guy charged one time for stealing/exchanging the battery from his car with the battery from the base ambulance. In that case it wasn't so much what he stole but what he stole it from. Otherwise, we seemed to just accept the theft and replaced the battery. Even MP vehicles were not immune from such events.

[Robin Craig]

Ed point taken, and understood.

Terry Warner pointed out that in his view the can may have come from the UK with the vehicle as it is of the British style, does that thought ring true? I gues there was a plentiful supply as it is a 1952 can on a vehicle with a 54 CFR, interesting eh?

[spinnerhawken]

Rob,

I will admit, that I myself, am guilty of stealing… I mean borrowing... a handful of parts from the MP CJ-7s in the back 40 of the Meaford training area to help keep our driver's course vehicles on the road. It felt like the right thing to do at the time and the course staff didn't seem to think the MPs would miss any of the parts, like the doors, signal bulbs, and a side curtain or two. Man those were fun days.

Steve