Ferret

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The Ferret Scout Car Mark I was used by the Canadian Army from 1954 to 1981.

This page is mainly about the 124 Ferret Mk. I Scout Cars that were owned and operated by the Canadian Army.  All 124 are listed here and my goal is to try to find every one, and where possible, to match up the history and identifiable in-service photos with the survivors.

Ferret Mk. I Provisional User Handbook Canadian Army reprint (1966)  of 1953 May manual.

(Colin Stevens' Collection)

Ferret Mk. I Canadian Army tool kit layout

I am still learning so I would appreciate any corrections or additions.

Colin Stevens, Richmond, BC -- seaforth72 (at) gmail.com 

HELP!

1. WANTED photos and any history about my Ferret 54-82598 which served at Combat Arms School and briefly at the end of its service life with Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians). The LdSH(RC) & RCD Archives were helpful but did not have a picture of mine.

2. What were the CAR (CFR) numbers of the Ferrets (and any other military vehicles) sent to UNEF and Canada's 4 Mechanized Brigade in Germany? Those that I have determined are below. There are still some mysteries.

3. I also need to find out the CAR (CFR) related to each of the UNEF Ferrets that were renumbered in Sinai to UNEF numbers (as in photo above). So far only 2 have both numbers showing. This is to answer questions but also to match up surviving vehicles with photos and history. The United Nations Archives have been unable to help. 

UNITS THAT USED FERRETS IN THE CANADIAN ARMY

(Not in order of precedence, list may not be complete. Corrections and additions welcomed.)

1. Lord Strathcona Horse (Royal Canadians)
2. Royal Canadian Dragoons (RCD)
3. 8th Canadian Hussars (8CH)
4. Fort Garry Horse (FGH)
5. 12e Regiment Blindee Canadien (12e RBC)
6. 17th Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars (in Quebec)   (7th Reconnaissance Regiment) (Mid-1950s)
7. British Columbia Dragoons (9th Reconnaissance Regiment) (Mid-1950s)
8. The Prince Edward Island Regiment (17th Reconnaissance Regiment) (Mid-1950s)
9. Armour School (Borden) Combat Arms School (Camp Borden then CFB Gagetown)
10. Nanaimo Camp (in BC - 1 Ferret for training - ref. Brigadier Herb Hamm 2007 April)

CANADIAN FERRETS IN SERVICE IN CANADA

SARCEE, ALBERTA 1974

ONTARIO, 1977

FERRETS IN DIAGRAMS

Canada purchased 124 Ferret Mk. I Scout Cars in 1954. In 1981 May 22, the official Canadian Forces' disposition of these was as follows:

"CFR 54-82596 was listed in 1959 printout at RCD (Royal Canadian Dragoons) but not listed in Dec 65 printout." (1981 report

In reality the distribution varied. 9 of those "sold" went to the Ontario Regiment Museum. Museums receiving a Ferret included the Canadian War Museum, CFB Borden and Fort Knox. In reality some "Hard Target" designated Ferrets were saved and went to museums (e.g. CFB Gagetown has three, and the Historical Troop of the LdSH(RC) have 4, though some of those are ex-British Army. A number of Ferrets were saved from the target ranges by various means.

Of the 75 Ferrets released for sale to the public (74 + 10 = 84 above less 9 that went direct to the Ontario Regiment's "Ferret Club" which is now a museum in Oshawa, Ontario), probably three-quarters or more of them were sold to American buyers e.g.

1. 71 were bought by Rex Tex.

2. Mark Sonday, near Kenosha, Wisconsin ended up with about 20 Ferrets, likely ex-Rex Tex ("Mine is like Johns also,, (ex Canadian) in the same sad shape,, No sign of  the welded tag or the plate,, like it never was there,, the only ID is the Hull number stamped near the drivers hatch. Mine and another one close by came from a Mark Sonday near Kenosha, Wisconsin some years ago he acquired 20 something of them from Canada. " - Russ Cihlar, USA 2007-04-25) Kenosha is just North of Chicago, IL so these may be the ex-Crown Surplus LdSH Ferrets out of Calgary.

3. SECO - South-Eastern Parts Equipment Company, in Southern USA. They apparently had quite a few Ferrets probably ex-Rex-Tex.

4. RAPCO in Texas, USA had three Ferrets they they sold in Texas. Hull numbers 310, 332 and 347. 

As a result, it is very rare to find ex-Canadian Army Ferrets available for private purchase in Canada. I have only found four (4) ex-Canadian Ferrets in private ownership in Canada! Mine in Mission, BC, Grant McAvoy's in Abbotsford, one in Toronto area and one in Nova Scotia!

If you are bringing a Ferret back to Canada here is the US and Canadian and Provincial government's attitudes as described to me by a friend who imports many ex-military vehicles and militaria into Canada: "The US has no interest in the fact that it's an armoured vehicle because it is not of American manufacture. If it is registered as a road going vehicle it must be declared to US Customs outbound at least 72 hours before the vehicle arrives at the border for inspection. No drama with Canada Customs; only regarded as an overage vehicle but it would have to pass Provincial safety before being registered and licensed here."  Colin adds: Canada Customs would also collect tax on the sale amount.

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 (RCD photo UNFICYP)

In Cyprus with FGH

LdSH photo

LdSH(RC)

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