Fugly

Thanks Andy When I get permisson from the owner I will post the whole picture of 02CC12 taken in about 1980. (the one I posted was only a quarter. Shows some great detail. At least I am now 100% on which squadron it was with at that time . My dilemma now is which colour sceme to choose. I now have a steel water carrier on the left rear wing ( I was informed by an ex hussar that on exercise they used to put it on the ashes of the fire last thing to give them some warm water in the morning...) That could be nasty if a fuel can was put on the fire in error .... Boom !

Did the design change? Mines now got new brakepipes / flexis and new linings !! Will it stop !!

Funny you should mention that - One of the odd things about the photo is that it shows the front left bin with an ANGLED rear face , but the ferret nowadays has a bin with a SQUARE end on it - . (at 90 degrees to the hull) The same as the new ferrets on page 30 of Pat Wares book (onn the production line). I was stood comparing the photos then and now and that was the main difference. I thought it had just been messed around with, but the bin appears correct and gloss green on the inside. ie not a home made job. Whats your opinion on this difference? Perhaps it just had a new bin fitted at some point since the photo. ?

I know its an old thread, but as an umpire were were nipping about in a Mk1/1 ferret?

I have seen a few pictures of ferrets on there - but you do have to trawl through them bit by bit. There are also a few videos on there too. Jim

I quite fancy one myself having read that ! Do I need an HGV licence ? I passed my test in 1982 and can drive a 7.5 tonne goods vehicle - where would I stand with this type of vehicle? Jim

Thanks - thats excellent info. The REBRO phrase cropped up on some posts off another forum: Some of the posts: 1. There is a good chance it was a Command Troop vehicle, possibly that used by Mac McLaren and driver Harry Wilding, sometimes also by myself, as the Rebro vehicle. I will have a look through my fozzies ans see what I can find. Further, I recall that the SSM's had Ferrets Mk I in Herford. 2. It could have been the one that I drove the then RSM Don Donabie on exercise in Schleswig Holstein in early '77 which means it was a Command troop Ferret as Chris has mentioned. 3. I was driving geoff lyman at that time me thinks as well, but bugger if i can remember the reg, but as it is at the front presume it is Command troops 4. Looking at the photograph I think all 3 ferrets in the photo are probably all the sqn SSM vehicles from the sabre sqns. 5. Chris. (1) How right you are.I am now looking at a photo of said ferret with me on top talking to some dignatary on a visit.Col. Blacker is there with Prof Riding and Neil Hall. I think it was taken by Dave Hardy. I am trying to get image as we speak. That last comment was how I got the photo !. Do the above comments add up ? jim

I found lots of RTR tank (scorpion / schimitar ? pics on http://www.rtr.org.uk/albums.htm and http://www.1rtr.net/frontpage.html and http://m136.de/wordpress/ The last one is a german website with lots of pics taken during BAOR exercises - they are listed by exercise name down the lower left hand side of the home page , when the list of execrcises comes up start with the ones with union jacks and the word galerie - Gallery - has all the pics. Good luck

Whey Hey !!! Its gets better - The above photo has led me to another - a close up of Ferret 02CC12, its driver and two other RTR crew being inspected / spoken to by Colenel Jeremy Blacker . I will post the whole picture as soon as I get approval from the pic owner. It shows 02CC12 with a diamond triangle (headquarters squadron) on the hull and a mount of some sort on the front - i presume its a gun mount can anyone tell me what the mount is for and why would it be on parade without its spare wheel? There is a partial numberplate visible from a ferret mk 1/1 parked next to it if anyone has an ex RTR ferret Mk 1/1

After looking at the ferret yesterday , its tempting but after sleeping on it ITS BECOME MORE TEMPTING ! I am still only half way through my first ferret , but already I am thinking about another. Its a definite case of FERRETITIS If it oficially a 2/7 then it is 98% complete, As a 2/6 its sadly lacking !

On this photo you can just see the turret mods.

Yes its a 2/6. The data plate states CONTRACT NUMBER FV 3891 VEHICLE NUMBER NUMBER 06EB51 SCOUT CAR RECCE VIGILANT FV 703 MK 2/6 TYPE A It can be read on my copy of the picture of the data plate. It also has the mofification to the turret and extra aerial boxes at the rear. The radio equipment for sale there varies , I bought a telephone type handset for £5 with lead. A clansman 353 was about £80 - dont know if they work. You can get the 349 with headphone etc for £35 and there are lots of other goodies (switch boxes and power supplies etc). If anyone want more pics please PM me with your email address.

HI I have been to Withams today to view their Feb tender. Here are some pics of the Mark 2/6 ferret that is up for offer. Its pretty rough. The turret spins and the tyres look reasonable but the rest is quite rough. The engine cover have been snapped off because the hinges were seized, The engine may be too. Some parts are missing off the engine. the inside looks complete and the gearbox may be a recent (?) replacement ? Some of the corrosion on the hull and turret is quite deep . I took a picture of the data plate for future reference. The Humber pig they have is very rotten , but I doubt it will make much. They have a lot of radio equipment that is not in the tender and is available quite cheaply.

Hello All I have been tracking down any leads on pictures of my ferret 02CC12 - and I think I have found one !! Mine was with the 1st RTR in Germany up to their leaving in 1982. They had a leaving parade and there were 3 MK 1 ferrets escorting the standard. I have now been supplied with a better picture of the 3 ferrets in the parade - apparantly mine is the 3rd one, and appears in the "Tank" journal of the RTR feb 1983. There is a clear shot of another ferret (Mark 1/1) whose reg appears to be 35BA56 or 34BA56 - difficult to make out. Has anyone got or seen any similar pics of this parade???

If its only the bands that are worn, I think that you could leave the transfer box assembly intact, as long as you have a strong crane. I took mine off because I followed the manual , but the manual goes on to do a complete strip down. If its just the bands its less work. I was curious to see the condition of the gears etc , all look like new ! I was concerned about the forward / reverse setup but it is like new - so I replacing the bush in the bottom of the forward / reverse lever (a new bush cost me £1) - With a lot of the free play removed then hopefully the only problems I will have selecting reverse will be down to my technique ! Jim

I dont know how much work is involved in taking your box out - loads probably but I am sure it will be worth it. If we are twins , please dont make youself known until AFTER the will has been read .... Good luck !! :-X

Hi I bought the replacement bands off Banisters in the uk , (excellent service) They provided the bands and appropriate rivets. (The rivets are in several different lengths, due to the brake band being thicker and thinner in places requiring different length rivets. I de- riveted the bands , removed them and riveted the new ones on - its a slow process but do - able ! The finished band is sipposed to be machined "round" to a certain diameter - I dont have access to a bif emough lathe so will fit bands as is and allow them to wear to shape. The auto adjusters are a work of art and I backed mine off and spent a happy 30 minutes operating the gear change lever on the box with a length of tube , happily watching them take up the slack! ! I have not done everything by the book , but bearing in mind the condition df some of the other parts on the vehicle, this is a good job. The rest of the gearbox looked in good condition, and a good clean out will have benefited it. SAFETY FIRST THOUGH - WATCH THE BUSBAR SPRING AND WEAR A MASK !!

I got round the problem by straightening the band and relining it - Hopefully it only got hot because someone was riding the gear selector pedal and creating a "slip" situation, the end of the band could not absorb the heat generated and warped. The lining material was worn very thin at this point. The most important thing to remember if tackling this job is that it is all very heavy - an engine crane is really useful, BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THE MAIN BUSBAR SPRING - it is held down by a cover held by 6 bolts. You have to replace two of the bolts with some threaded rod and a couple of nuts to allow the tension to be release slowly, if you simply remove all 6 bolts you might lose your teeth or worse as they are not long enough to relieve all the spring tension. Follow the manual closely. And also remember the linings you are using to replace the old ones MAY contain asbestos or other nasties - so wear a mask when drilling. Here are some pics - I have taken lots more so will keep them handy should anyone be interested. I have loaded some into a webshots website and you can see some of them Click this link to view. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2205444780106092871YNtdCl Jim

I am at the latter stages of relining the brake bands on my ferret. If its the same type of box I would not hesitate in recommending you rip it out and fix it. If you are a good home mechanic it can be done with some good advice - and the cost doesn't have to be massive. (sorry about the hat) Here are some pics - You will need somewhere warm to do it and gear to lift it out - I'm lucky with the ferret as it came out the top -The adjusters are reasonably straight forward. PM if you want any info. Jim

Thanks Laurence Yours is the only response I received and since posting the problem a few days ago I have successfully (I hope) straightened the band and relined it - Box is almost back together now - am working on the brake band adjusters. Thanks for the offer Jim

Another great picture - A ferret escorting Iraq POW's in the gulf 1991.

"WINGLESS VICTORY " Basil Embry.. True story - shot down near St Omer , captured 3 times by the germans and eventually made his way home . Great stuff - read it 5 times.

Can anyone tell me what the big black triangle means , its painted at the back of this Saracen? I dont know anything about markings !!

Hello Bob Hi - Sorry I could not help with a pic of you ferret , but welcome to this friendly place! Jim

Hello I am a new member too , and after only 2 weeks of membership I have been made to feel welcome and have had some great advice !! Its a very friendly place to be and seems to be full of genuine help. However , please dont ask me for a tow as I wont be able to oblige ..:-D