|
| |
Ferret Numbers
I noticed right away that since Ferrets do not have as obvious a data plate
as a jeep for example, that there is a lot of confusion over the vehicle's
serial number. Event the Canadian Forces listed the British War Department
number as the "Serial #"! Here is some help for Ferret owners and enthusiasts.
|
HULL NUMBER
Also known as the Vehicle Identification Number "VIN" in North America.
This is the serial number!!!!!!!
To find this number and the date of manufacture look inside hull on
starboard (right) side by driver's right shoulder. There is often, on British
used Ferrets at least, a data plate
listing modifications standing off from the hull on 4 bolts. "Undo the 4
nuts on that plate and CAREFULLY ease it off the studs.
Underneath will be the little steel plate welded to the hull with the hull
number stamped on it." (Ref: Doug Greville on Ferret Heaven 2007-03-17) This little
steel serial number plate is 2" x 3".
Special thanks to Douglas Greville in Australia who helped to decode the
mysteries of the British and Australian numbering systems. His web site is
at
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/lsm/dhmg/
I also wish to thank other members of Ferret Heaven forum (the 4 wheeled,
not 4 legged version) for their help and advice.
|
DATE OF MANUFACTURE
LOCATION
|
EXAMPLE
|
COMMENTS
|
| Stamped onto a plate welded inside the hull by the driver's
right shoulder, underneath the modifications record data plate. |
.5.4 (May 1954)
|
Last part of the hull number 392.B.5.4 |
MILITARY NUMBER
Usually painted on the vehicle. On British vehicle this number is also
stamped onto the data plate for modifications. Note: Although some people use
this as the vehicle serial number it is technically NOT that.
Nation
|
Military Number Name
|
Military Number Example
|
Comments
|
| Britain |
War Department Number
(WD #) |
04 CC 01
|
Usually painted on top front edge.
2 numbers, space, 2 letters, space, 2 numbers.
This system was introduced about 1949 and replaced the old style e.g.
Z5453378 or T123456
Note: This is NOT the vehicles serial number for licensing as a civilian
owned vehicle (even though many people have used it as such).
You can find the British Army history of your Ferret
from the tank museum in the UK. You MUST supply the WD number e.g. 04 CC 01
Here is the info:
Stuart Wheeler, Bovington Librarian
Email:
Librarian@tankmuseum.co.uk
They charge a standard fee of £10 (plus £3 post and packaging) to reproduce
vehicle registration cards:
The Tank Museum
Bovington
Dorset
BH20 6JG
UK
|
| Ireland |
|
16 MS 32
|
This number remained on the vehicle in the Congo
on UN duties as shown in a photo but the number refers to British "Military
Sales" (MS) and is a number put on vehicles sold out of UK. We do not know
why Ireland left the number on. (Information from Doug Greville in Australia
e-mail dgrev (at) iinet.net.au) Bovington holds no records of the MS
series of numbers. (Ref, Dan email ferret_man_52 (at) yahoo.com)
|
| Canada |
Canadian Army Registration (CAR) which changed
to Canadian Forces Registration (CFR) |
54-82598
|
Changed about 1969 after unification of the
armed forces. Canada bought 124 Ferrets and the CFR number range was
82500 through 82623. The first two digits signify the year the particular
vehicle entered military service. Originally painted in white on the sides
of the hull. When UN white, sometimes painted in black on side near rear
wheels. Also when a Canadian Forces licence plate was visible - this had the
last 5 digits of the CFR number (from about 1970 when these plates were
introduced until they were sold surplus 1980-1.
|
| Australia |
Army Registration Number (ARN) |
115148
|
Apparently all Australian Ferrets were in the
115XXX ARN range. Here is a list from an Australian Army EME listing ARN
with the corresponding earlier assigned British War Department numbers.
CAUTION: Ferret owners have noted errors in the list (e.g. 115328 and 115332
both have the same WD number 87 BA 51. Other discrepancies have been
noted.
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/4CpTR7lBsMIb-emA7qj8-qXsPiRqSdfs8E99i20HSJYnNpe4wmIL-23K7k34fhiinb68PsAY0h3hrsOp5oapnNhHnfc1gWT-BFZLqA/Ferret%20Numbers001.pdf
|
Canadian Army Registration (CAR) Number (after circa 1967 called the CFR -
Canadian Forces Registration Number). This consisted of two numbers, the last two digits of the year in which the
vehicle entered the service followed by a dash (sometimes a period or when stamped
into vehicles, a "1" or "I" horizontal.)
e.g. 54-82501
"In the case of the
Ferrets, it [the CAR/CFR] is stamped
on the flat area on the right side of the hull next to the drivers window, just
to the left of the horn. I have seen it on this spot on the majority
of the Cdn Ferrets." - Rob Love
Bob McWilliam of Nova Scotia sent the following pictures of the CAR as he
found it on his Ferret 54-82540. The photo of the CAR stamped on 54-82511 is
from Rob Love in Manitoba. |
| CAR PAINTED ON SIDE OF HULL |
CAR PAINTED ON FRONT OF HULL |
CAR STAMPED INTO HULL |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
CAR 54-82540 painted in white on the hull. I believe this is on the
Starboard (right) side. Note the open hatch below.
|
CAR 54-82500 painted over the driver's hatch. 1968 in
Cyprus. |
CAR stamped into the hull 54-82540.
|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Original CAR 54-82598 painted in white on the right
(starboard ) side of the hull. Numbers are solid, without stencil webs.
The CAR/CFR also appeared on the DND licence plates from about 1970
onwards - with only the last 5 digits showing e.g. 82592 |
CAR 54-82598 painted over the driver's escape hatch (found
while sanding the paint down in 2007). Sometimes it was painted in small
block numbers about 1 inch high above the driver's head.
In Cyprus, sometimes the last two digits were paints on the sides.
Occasionally the CAR/CFR was painted on the rear.
|
CAR stamped into the hull of 54-82511. The circle is
the antenna base just in front of the horn on the right (starboard) side, on
the flat in front of the driver's hatch.) |
|
.htm_cmp_blank110_vbtn.gif){kind=small}
