M6 or T17E1 Staghound ARMOURED Car which GM America made
for the British forces: (more than 2000 units built).
This vehicle was very advanced for it's time, despite claims
to the contrary the M8 Greyhound Armoured Car cannot even come
close to it for features.
It had 2 Hydovacs (fore and aft) powering a twin chamber
master cylinder along with twin vacuum tanks. It also had
(electrically powered - hydraulic pump) power assisted
steering and 2 engines each driving Hydramatic boxes
either engine being selectable from the drivers position
and capable of being shut down so that only 1 engine
was in use, whilst on the move if required!
Plus a fully basketed closed top turret (unlike
my M8!) which had all the power traverse etc from the
M3 Grant/Lee medium tank, slip ring electrical connections
for 360 degree traverse and radio's in the turret bustle.
All the ammo was stored in the basket ready to use, there were
no low down awkward bins to get at.
Despite being automatic the staghound was set up so that
it could be tow started if the on-board batteries had failed.
They had only 1 major failing that I have been able to identify
for the restorer (and this is the reason I sold mine) is that
vision is very limited for the driver UNLESS the periscopes
are used to give sideways vision. Unfortunately it was designed
at a time when a driver was stuffed in his hole and did exactly
what he was told, the idea of a pop up seat with an overhead
hatch had still to become the norm. I had no confidence that
even if I could register a Stag that it would not be struck
off on some burocratic whimsy. The only other notable failing
of a Stag is the access to the driver/co-driver position
which is either by way of the side escape hatches or down through
the turret, then via the access hole out into the drivers position.
They did give it some thought as both seat backs hinged sideways.
They came with a detachable compressor which could be clipped
to either of the 2 engines so that the vehicle could inflate
it's own tyres. This could be done without opening the engine
bays and reqired no tools. (I still have one of these compressors!)
The run flat tyres I have seen on them have had cracks in the side walls
up to 1" deep and you could still not push a knife through to the
tube. There was no distance limit on the flat running life of the
tyres.
Even the much later English Saladin armoured car does not come
close for features EXCEPT that it has a nice big gun. Otherwise
the Stag held it's own in all probability till the 1960's. It's
downfall being the 37mm gun.
People who have driven the Stag in the military tell me that it
was well into the 1970's before they drove another vehicle that
could compare for quality of ride and ease of control even in the
civilian area. They all recall it very fondly including those who had
to keep them running 30 years after production ceased.
The Stag is a BIG beast the tyres come up to chest height and the roof
would be head height. If you are comparing one to a Ferret then I doubt
that your reference material is of much value. The only similarity is
4 wheels, rear engined, turreted.
If you need further info feel free to contact me.
Regards
Douglas Greville
dgreville@apollo.ruralnet.net .au