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 from this plan. 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 or rusty oblivion as monuments 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, presumably 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 also ex-Rex-Tex.

4. RAPCO in Texas, USA had three Ferrets they they sold in Texas. Hull numbers 310, 332 and 347.  Likely ex-Rex Tex.

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.

54

 (RCD photo UNFICYP)

In Cyprus with FGH

LdSH photo

LdSH(RC)

54

54

54

In 2007

54

With UNFICYP in Cyprus

At RAPCO (Rexas) yard for sale.

 As found in the RAPCO yard in Texas and restored photos courtesy of Les Branson.

54

54

After repainting white for CWM display.

The CWM has the correct UNEF UN decal on the front right fender but the other markings are unusual. (see top photo on this page for normal paint scheme). MWO Ross Pettit  wrote on 2008-03-11 " I rebuilt that FSC when I was posted in Trenton.  I painted exactly from a picture of a ferret crossing a sand dune in Egypt.  So it is painted correctly according to the picture." 

This vehicle also has the later modification for the Browning 1919A4 (not used when the vehicles were white) which replaced the Bren Gun and a much later model antenna base.

54

54

 The only other marks I have found on it are a 22A in large black figures [THIS IS A TACTICAL SIGN - Colin Stevens] on the side of the hull near the top that I assume are radio call symbols. Also on the right front storage bin there is stencilled in white figures
LV9-ASC
 2540-99
 815-7449

Shown here fitted with a Browning Mk. II .303 MG from an aircraft.

LdSH photo

54-82568 at CFB Petawawa Dec 2007 in front of the base museum. Colin Stevens' photos.

54-82572 while with LdSH

Photos courtesy James McNeely, NC, USA

In Cyprus.

As donated to the Canadian War Museum by Radley-Waters.

Dec 2007 at CFB  Petawawa

This Ferret was presented to this esteemed war-time armoured officer.  He was also presented with A Sherman and a Lynx (tracked). CFR and SN of his Ferret are not known at this time.

Note vehicle has Canadian retrofitted lights, a cable reel on carrier on left side, and on rear are two loops. presumably for top strap of Jerricans when stowage rack was mounted on the rear  - suggesting that this vehicle served in Germany or in Sinai. 

The vehicle was donated to the Canadian War Museum. It went back to CFB Petawawa and is outside on display.

"burnt in Petawawa mid 70's? Duty Cpl must have missed checking the hanger that weekend ;).  Black as a coal mine in the hanger Mon morn.  ...I have some pics of the Ferret after they hauled it out back.  ... (some are in rough shape, got wet before I could scan them)"

"I was posted to Petawawa fall 74 until spring 78. ...  Quality of the pics is poor, but you can see the steel belts, all that's left of the tires.I remember it took a week or so to clean the hanger. "

Were any others so converted or just this one? Did it go to West Germany with the ENTAC equipped jeeps?

As she sat in front on Allan Kerr's store MILARM in Edmonton.

As she is now (May 2007)

In service with LdSH(RC)

This is possibly my Ferret, 54-82598. It is with LdSH(RC) in Calgary, and has two features rarely found on Cdn Ferrets. As in photo, 598 has the first aid box on the right rear upper hull and the late (c.1969) British "Tower" lights. The camouflage pattern does not match however.

2005 in Crown  Surplus' yard

2007-04-01

As received by Colin Stevens, 2007 April 1.

Traded by the LdSH to Crown Surplus for a T-16 Universal Carrier. Sold by Crown Surplus to Bob Carter, who then sold it to Colin Stevens.

WD # 36 BA 66

54-82592 CAPRI also had tower lights but had antenna mount stbd rear and different camo pattern.

54-82609 as a monument about the be moved for restoration c.2002?

Dec 2007 in RCD Tank Park display

OWNER

LOCATION

INFO

2005 FGH Reunion photo via Digger MacDougall

At CFB Petawawa in hanger, Dec 2007 Photo by CMS

No CFR found on vehicle. Could not scrape for it as vehicle has been restored and has made up markings "54 011" over the driver's hatch.

1. 54-82504
2. 54-82506
3. 54-82513
4. 54-82519
5. 54-82535
6. 54-82563
7. 54-82564
8. 54-82582
9. 54-82590

Purchased from Southeast Equipment Company in August 1983 for $6,500 (the going price at the time with Southeast and REXTEX.) Picked up from storage at Crown Surplus Stores in Calgary, Alberta.

Tactical sign 32C was on the vehicle. Vehicle was built as a Mark I (no turret) and the turret was added later by the owner thus converting it to Mk. II specifications. 

WHAT IS ITS REAL IDENTITY (CFR)?

This Ferret is ex-LdSH(RC) and was legally bought surplus by Crown Surplus in Calgary. Ian Newby bought it from Crown Surplus for $6,500.00. The Canadian Forces later erroneously seized it thinking it had been improperly removed from the target holding area at CFB Shilo. In 1989 was displayed on a portable bridge at CFB Chilliwack. It was painted in 2 colour camouflage and had an odd CFR number in small white numbers on the side. This number 52-03311 does not match any of the known Canadian Ferrets so this number is likely a  fake.  Its true identity is not known at this time. 

Ian Newby bought this vehicle surplus from Gord Cumming's Crown Surplus back in the early 1980s. The Armed Forces, incorrectly thinking it was one of the 2 Ferrets from the ranges at Shilo, even though permission was received to remove those, seized it and the ex-Shilo one that was then held by Robert Rostecki in Winnipeg. 

Colin Stevens' photos 1989 4949 -10 & 4949-11.

CFB Gagetown c.1984-5

Mike McKinley photo taken c. 1984-5.

Believed to be the Ferret loaned by the Museum at Gagetown about 1997 to a collector for restoration.

Note that it has the British late (1969) tower style turn-signals.

CFR not known at this time.

Identity of this Ferret not yet known.

It has the Canadian M Series lights.  Tail panel shows holes for mounting two Jerricans.

One of two Ferrets there. Second one is a runner apparently and under restoration.

Ferret has the welded on loops on top of rear panel, suggesting that it likely went tot he Middle East with Canadian United Nations Peacekeepers (Cyprus and or/ Egypt.

http://www.warwheels.net/ferret1_1Kenosha.html

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=487315

Hull number and Canadian Army Registration number not yet known.

What happened to the surplus Canadian Ferrets? Many were sold surplus to the USA. Gord Cumming, of Crown Surplus Store in Calgary sold a large batch of them to US buyers, reportedly for about $10,000 US each. At the time I recall that most Canadian buyers did not want to pay so much money.

Why are there so many Ferrets in Canada that were not used by the Canadian Army? The British Army was the main user of Ferrets and they used many of them at BATUS (British Army Training Unit, Suffield)  at CFB Suffield, Alberta. Many of these were shipped back to the UK, but some were released in Canada to Canadian regiments, museums and some collectors. The BC Regiment has one ex-BATUS which they restored and then named "DUKE".  The Ashton Armoury Museum in Victoria, BC also has one obtained from Grant Hopkins in a trade. This one is also probably ex-BATUS. Many Ferrets have been imported into the USA from Canada and the UK.

Why do I sometimes see Ferrets with turrets? These are slightly different models, used by Britain and other countries, but not by Canada, except for some British units based in Cyprus appear to have  rented by Canadians. Photos of Ferrets with turrets in Cyprus with Canadians Canadians.

Two Ferrets patrolling a village in Nicosia area of Cyprus pre-1968. Note that left hand one has a turret - normally seem on British Ferrets, not Canadian so it is likely a vehicle left for UNFICYP use by the Brits. There is a decal on right side of upper hull. It probably says UNITED NATIONS in yellow lettering

I would appreciate any corrections or additions, especially serial numbers and names/addresses of current owners. I would also appreciate photos of ex-Canadian Ferrets, ideally with identification as to which one it is, and then I can update the data base.  

seaforth72 (at) gmail.com 

Copyright © Colin Stevens Updated: August 24, 2008
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