Fugly Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 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??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 The front one is 35BA54 If you invert the colours in paint and then save as you can then zoom in and see it better. The third Ferret has CC in the middle but I can't make out the rest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigdog Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Very cool. Congrats! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 Very cool. Congrats! Ditto that as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugly Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Ditto that as well 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienFTM Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 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 15/19H followed 1RTR around the RAC Arms Plot in the 1970s. I believe we took over from them in Omagh in 1974 when they went to Tidworth and reroled as Recce. When we left Omagh in 1976, we handed over to 9/12L and again took over from 1RTR in Tidworth and they went to BAOR as a divisional Armd Recce Regt. In 1977 we again handed over to 9/12L and went to BAOR as 3 Armd Div Armd Recce Regt. For my first three years in BAOR, I was in Command Troop, spending two exercise seasons crewing rebroadcast Ferrets exactly like these. The role of the Ferrets was thus: callsign 95 was RSM callsign 98 was Command Troop Sergeant in rebroadcast Ferret 1 callsign 98A was Command Troop rebroadcast Ferret 2 callsign ... er 92? 93? was LO, but this vehicle only ever deployed once during my time, on Exercise Javelin / Spearpoint / Crusader 80 when we were all umpires and used a bespoke callsign sytem. The two Medium Recce Squadrons each had a Mark 1 for the Squadron Sergeant Major, being callsign 19C, 29C or 39C depending on which two squadrons in the regiment were Medium recce. So your vehicle was certainly one of these Ferrets. Since you mention an HQ Squadron diamond, it would have been one of the first four, which makes sense since we see the Ferret escorting the colours. I was going to pick you up on referring to a standard, but I remembered that I believe RTR do indeed have a standard and only cavalry regiments have guidons. The four Command Troop Ferrets were identically equipped and (in 15/19H) interchanged roles if necessary so ensure we kept three of them on the road. The radio fit was two times SR C42 until the arrival of Clansman during this period when the fit was two times UK/VRC353. This enabled the rebro Ferrets to position themselves strategically and double the range of a command net by receiving on one frequency on one set and transmitting it on on the other set. I can explain this in more detail if you want. As I have said on another thread recently, these Ferrets all had a Three-Oh Browning, mounted on the mount you see in your picture. We NEVER carried the Three-Oh, if only because the vehicle mount (not shown) was not suitable for ground mounting and would have been obstructed by the user-mod commander's windscreen anyway. As to why it carried no spare wheel, I have absolutely no idea. I never went anywhere without a spare wheel, and I did several parades in Ferrets, including an UNFICYP medal parade and a parade for the 15/19H Colonel of the Regiment (a titular post sitting between Commanding Officer and Colonel in Chief (in our case HRH The Princess Margaret)). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugly Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 15/19H followed 1RTR around the RAC Arms Plot in the 1970s. I believe we took over from them in Omagh in 1974 when they went to Tidworth and reroled as Recce. When we left Omagh in 1976, we handed over to 9/12L and again took over from 1RTR in Tidworth and they went to BAOR as a divisional Armd Recce Regt. In 1977 we again handed over to 9/12L and went to BAOR as 3 Armd Div Armd Recce Regt. For my first three years in BAOR, I was in Command Troop, spending two exercise seasons crewing rebroadcast Ferrets exactly like these. The role of the Ferrets was thus: callsign 95 was RSM callsign 98 was Command Troop Sergeant in rebroadcast Ferret 1 callsign 98A was Command Troop rebroadcast Ferret 2 callsign ... er 92? 93? was LO, but this vehicle only ever deployed once during my time, on Exercise Javelin / Spearpoint / Crusader 80 when we were all umpires and used a bespoke callsign sytem. The two Medium Recce Squadrons each had a Mark 1 for the Squadron Sergeant Major, being callsign 19C, 29C or 39C depending on which two squadrons in the regiment were Medium recce. So your vehicle was certainly one of these Ferrets. Since you mention an HQ Squadron diamond, it would have been one of the first four, which makes sense since we see the Ferret escorting the colours. I was going to pick you up on referring to a standard, but I remembered that I believe RTR do indeed have a standard and only cavalry regiments have guidons. The four Command Troop Ferrets were identically equipped and (in 15/19H) interchanged roles if necessary so ensure we kept three of them on the road. The radio fit was two times SR C42 until the arrival of Clansman during this period when the fit was two times UK/VRC353. This enabled the rebro Ferrets to position themselves strategically and double the range of a command net by receiving on one frequency on one set and transmitting it on on the other set. I can explain this in more detail if you want. As I have said on another thread recently, these Ferrets all had a Three-Oh Browning, mounted on the mount you see in your picture. We NEVER carried the Three-Oh, if only because the vehicle mount (not shown) was not suitable for ground mounting and would have been obstructed by the user-mod commander's windscreen anyway. As to why it carried no spare wheel, I have absolutely no idea. I never went anywhere without a spare wheel, and I did several parades in Ferrets, including an UNFICYP medal parade and a parade for the 15/19H Colonel of the Regiment (a titular post sitting between Commanding Officer and Colonel in Chief (in our case HRH The Princess Margaret)). 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlienFTM Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 4. Looking at the photograph I think all 3 ferrets in the photo are probably all the sqn SSM vehicles from the sabre sqns. This is the only thing I have issue with. As I explained, in our regiment, only two SSMs got Ferrets, but that said, every regiment tweaked its OrBat to best perform its role as it saw fit. If you look closely at the pic, check for the squadron TAC signs: Trinagle = A Sqn Square = B Sqn Circle = C Sqn Diamond = HQ Sqn. We have seen discussed the presence of a diamond. If you can idenify a triangle, square or circle on any of the others, they'll be sergeant majors' vehicles (in which case the HQ Sqn vehicle is probably that of the RSM who might be expected at the head of the colour party, with two SSMs flanking him). That said, if these people were there, I bow their knowledge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted February 7, 2010 Share Posted February 7, 2010 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 [ATTACH=CONFIG]22286[/ATTACH] Does you're Ferret still have the front left hand bin with the indentation for the spare wheel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugly Posted February 7, 2010 Author Share Posted February 7, 2010 Does you're Ferret still have the front left hand bin with the indentation for the spare wheel? 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. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugly Posted February 9, 2010 Author Share Posted February 9, 2010 Does you're Ferret still have the front left hand bin with the indentation for the spare wheel? Did the design change? Mines now got new brakepipes / flexis and new linings !! Will it stop !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted February 10, 2010 Share Posted February 10, 2010 Did the design change? Mines now got new brakepipes / flexis and new linings !! Will it stop !! The bin design did change at some point when I don't know I suspect that it was changed to make it easier to get at the spare wheel. It should stop just fine fitting a servo makes it a little easier to stop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fugly Posted February 10, 2010 Author Share Posted February 10, 2010 The bin design did change at some point when I don't know I suspect that it was changed to make it easier to get at the spare wheel. It should stop just fine fitting a servo makes it a little easier to stop. 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 ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferrettkitt Posted February 11, 2010 Share Posted February 11, 2010 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 ! They would be warm all over for a while if they got that wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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