Yes our novice friend will fine that much of the subject I and others
have already covered over the last 18 months or so.
>Find a copy of the October 1997 issue of American Survival Guide. Has a
>pretty comprehensive article on Ferrets.
Unfortunately the words 'four wheel drive', conjure up visions of off-
roading to many. Often further emphasised by dealers with no real
experience, just pushing a sales pitch. The reality of the situation is
just as Jim Webster has tried to point out. The Ferret is not an 'off-
road vehicle'. In service as with most armoured cars they were rarely
used off-road and then only with the necessity of experienced specific
tuition with the particular vehicle. The death rate for Ferret driving
accidents is very high. The most recent was in Suffolk, England two
years ago. A Ferret from the Imperial War Museum at Duxford was on it's
way back after being taken out to a display. The driver was very
experienced in driving many kinds of armoured vehicles, including
Ferrets. But had not had qualified experienced tuition. Whilst pulling
over to the edge of a cut out in a very narrow country road, to enable a
car to pass. He caught a tree root with the nearside front wheel, lost
control and flipped, causing the instant death of his passenger ( the
daughter of one of the museum administrators).
Our friend in Canada makes the inference that the Ferret must be good
for off-roading because the British army were operating in the jungles
in Malaya etc. We did have Ferret's in Malaya (Federated Malay States),
but they were few and far between and only used on road. We used mainly
Dingo's there ( and they were the special turreted version which the
Malaysian government still have in service). Singapore uses Ferrets but
they are used for mainly policing type road operations.
A useful/non-useful bit of military vehicle information of interest to
the list is....during the mid 1950's whilst on active service in the
middle east, I was told during a lecture on the unsafe and difficlt
driving of specialist militery vehicles that 'more Canadian serviceman
had been killed in military vehicle accidents since the war, than were
killed by the Germans during active service'.
>
>The big questions for you are:
>!. How tall are you? Ferrets were made for little/med guys. The Mk 2/3 is
>one of the more cramped models.
apart from the mark4. All Ferret's are basicly the same, it's only the
added equipment/fittings that alters/restricts room and weight. A turret
is added equipment. I have interchanged/converted most marks, 1 to 2
variations and 2's to recon 1 versions. The Ferret is the longest
serving 'regular use', vehicle of the British Army. Mostly in the Mk1
configuration though. The turreted configuration was found very
unsatisfactory and most only saw storage at Luggersall. It is unlikely
that you will come accross any fitted out as 'Vigilant', (and given the
designation 2/6, turreted/vigilant). The only genuine MOD versions were
sold to the Singapore Government, bar one which went to Bovington Tank
museum. I bought my Vigilant Ferret from the Singapore Government.
There are two other Ferret's in Private hands in 'Vigilant',
configuration, but both are non original MOD, as they have been
assembled from remaining parts, and neither have missile side bins as
none were kept back.
>
>2. Do you plan on transporting passengers/cargo? Not really practical for
>passengers. Will carry light cargo with cargo rack.
>
The later 'unofficial mod', of the cargo rack on the Ferret was only
used under very strictly controlled circumstances. Definitely not for
off-road use. When I visited with Jim Webster at Carver Barracks
somewhere around 1986 there were several squadrons kept there with such
racks. I believe they were either Dragoons or 16/5th Lancers. I am
sure Jim can enlighten the list more on their use.
>3. Do you have lots to spend on gas? You are hauling thousands of pounds of
>armor that you probably don't need for most situations. Average mileage for a
>Ferret is 5 mpg off road. Also if the Ferret is a work vehicle you will have
>to stock parts, as they are more expensive and take longer to get. As a hobby
>veh you can part it and afford to wait for the parts.
>
There was also a suggestion that a diesel engine can probably be fitted
in place of the RR B60. Do not even consider it. The Singapore
Government agents Gem Kam Lee modified Ferrets for diesel engines. They
were not successful. The Ferret requires a high revving engine to
operate the just satisfactory cooling system. The engine also has to
be dry sump to enable it to be slung low enough to fit. And what diesel
engine can put out that kind of power at that physical maximum size ?
>4. Do you require AC? The Ferret is not air conditioned, and holds heat
>pretty well. This may be a problem in the AZ desert.
>
>5. Yes, owning a Ferret in with a large area in the desert to play would be
>an absolute blast. It will stay fun if you use it as a hobby veh, and only
>occasionally use it for work.
>Byron
>CA/USA
>59 Ferret Mk 1/2
The Ferret makes a good cheap vehicle for a Military vehicle collector,
as long as it's and it's drivers capabilities are understood.
regards
Colin Brookes
Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS)
colb@xtra.co.nz
===
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