The Ferret Scout
Car was produced by Daimler between 1952 and 1971 as a fast
armoured scout vehicle mainly for the UK and other commonwealth
militaries such as Canada. Approximately 4500 of them were produced
during those years. A crew of two manned the ferret (a driver
and commander), using it to quickly travel around the countryside
performing reconnaissance and reporting back what it found.
The ferret was powered
by a Rolls Royce 6-cylinder gas engine which propelled the four
ton 4x4 vehicle effortlessly down roads, across streams, over
sand dunes, and most any terrain in its path. Yet this little
fast vehicle did have its down-points. The interior was quite
small, requiring men of no more than average height to operate
it. Also, the drive-train was enclosed in the body under the
passengers. This and the rigid body made for a great deal of
noise when driving at high speeds. An interesting fact about
the ferret was that it can go up to approximately 60mph forward
AND reverse.
Canada
used the ferret both at home for training and abroad for military/peacekeeping
missions. They were used extensively in the middle east in places
like Cyprus, where a quick, armoured reconnaissance vehicle
was essential for getting to the action and reporting back on
what was happening, or even for joining in on the fight.
By
the late 1960's the ferret's life-span had already come to an
end for the Canadian military with the introduction of the newly
designed APC's (Armoured Personnel Carrier). Most ferret were
either given to the U.N for peacekeeping missions, or sold to
developing countries in need of cheap, used equipment. Some
ferrets did survive this time to either end up rusting in the
back of a supply depot to later be sold for scrap, or went to
museums and private collectors the world over. Canadian ferrets
have been found all over the world, from Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, and even all the way down in Australia.
***More
detailed information about this vehicle and others on the site
will be added in time***
The
Wounded Warriors Fund is a great way to give back to those who
have given up so much for our freedom. Please visit the site today!
Please
visit the Canadian War Museum and remember those who fought and
died for our freedom.
This website is best
viewed in 800x600+ resolution using Firefox 3.0+ or Internet Explorer
7.0+
.JPG)
Canada
used the ferret both at home for training and abroad for military/peacekeeping
missions. They were used extensively in the middle east in places
like Cyprus, where a quick, armoured reconnaissance vehicle
was essential for getting to the action and reporting back on
what was happening, or even for joining in on the fight.
By
the late 1960's the ferret's life-span had already come to an
end for the Canadian military with the introduction of the newly
designed APC's (Armoured Personnel Carrier). Most ferret were
either given to the U.N for peacekeeping missions, or sold to
developing countries in need of cheap, used equipment. Some
ferrets did survive this time to either end up rusting in the
back of a supply depot to later be sold for scrap, or went to
museums and private collectors the world over. Canadian ferrets
have been found all over the world, from Europe, the Middle
East, Africa, and even all the way down in Australia.
