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This vehicle is not currently on display at the Museum
The Ferret Scout Car was developed in the early 1950s as a replacement for the wartime Daimler and Humber scout cars. These small wheeled armoured vehicles were designed for reconnaissance duties and for convoy escorts. The Ferret Mark 1 was an open topped vehicle. The Mark 2 was fitted with a small machine gun turret in order to provide a means of defence.
The 4 ton Ferret was the only armoured vehicle light enough for air transport when an airportable armoured reconnaissance squadron was formed in the early 1960s. The squadron was provided by the Royal Horse Guards whose REME LAD was equipped with an unarmoured Bedford recovery vehicle. To provide some protection for recovery crews, the LAD commander and NCOs developed an armoured recovery variant of the Ferret. After the squadron was disbanded further experiments with the recovery vehicle were carried out by Technical Group REME but with top plate and turret replaced on the vehicle.
The hull top plate, complete with turret, was removed to give easy access and various recovery equipment was fitted, including a manually operated winch, towing hook, lifting jib and rear suspension lock out struts. With these in position it was possible to give a suspended tow to a disabled Ferret. The vehicle was armed with a pintle mounted Browning machine gun.
The Museum's Ferret recovery vehicle is a replica of the original which was scrapped many years ago. Other Ferrets remain in Army service in the mid 1990s. Weight and length given are approximate and vary with stowage.
Length |
4.00 m (13 ft 1 in) |
Width |
1.95 m (6 ft 4 in) |
Height |
1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) |
Weight |
Circa 4 tonnes |
Engine |
Rolls Royce B60 petrol |
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Page produced by Peter Eldred - Last updated 24 July 2004