Maylayan Ferret

[robin craig]

Found this, thought it was interesting

 

R

[robin craig]

Wonder what was in the box on the reverse slope of the hull at the front?

 

R

[ferretfixer]

Wonder what was in the box on the reverse slope of the hull at the front?

 

R

 

MAYBE a concrete, or thick steel block to protect the driver from a possible Mine ambush?

That looks like a local modification which did happen in theatre at at times. (IMOHO)

Mike.

[robin craig]

I have looked very closely at this picture and notice that whatever the block is appears to have a vertical parting line to it.

 

The other thing is that there appears to be a lack of overhang where the block meets the downward facing armour, im wondering if that means that another piece of material was added to the front face?

 

R

[fesm_ndt]

"Ferrets were deployed to Malaya following delivery in 1952 and proved useful convoy escorts, able to negotiate the rough terrain found locally. A local modification was an armoured vision 'collar' between the hull and turret. This provided additional vision blocks for the crew and also raised the height of the turret, allowing the MG to be fired over intervening cover"

 

[ATTACH]34713[/ATTACH]

 

still digging through my junk

[REME 245]

I am still trying to find out where my old one ended up.

 

It was sold to a dealer about 10 years ago as an empty hull.

There was an article on it in the defunct MV Magazine.

 

It was interesting for me as under the paint were Royal Wiltshire Yeomanary Markings 43rd Wessex Division.

At least two of these marks served with the RWY during the 1960's.

[Richard Farrant]

I am still trying to find out where my old one ended up.

 

It was sold to a dealer about 10 years ago as an empty hull.

There was an article on it in the defunct MV Magazine.

 

It was interesting for me as under the paint were Royal Wiltshire Yeomanary Markings 43rd Wessex Division.

At least two of these marks served with the RWY during the 1960's.

 

Hi Neil,

 

Do you know when it was sold off from the Army? Reason I ask, is that one came up in one of the first tender sales at Ludgershall ( when was that, mid to late 80's, I think), although the Ferret was actually laying in another location.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Richard Farrant

[ferrettkitt]

Do you know when it was sold off from the Army? Reason I ask, is that one came up in one of the first tender sales at Ludgershall ( when was that, mid to late 80's, I think), although the Ferret was actually laying in another location.

 

Last time I heard someone in Sheffield owned a MK2/2

[REME 245]

Richard

 

If it helps it came via Preston who I believe had brought it from a children's playground or similar.

 

I would imagine that it was released from service at a fairly early stage as it still had the first pattern stowage boxes and plate on the rear which stopped the early pattern fire extinguishers getting covered in mud.

 

Having served in the LAD of the RWY the markings clinched the deal for me. The Bovington Records only covering the period in the UK confirmed the RWY and later RY service. I also have a copy of a film taken in 1967-8 showing two of these marks in service on annual camp.

 

There was one that useed to go to Detling but the owner assured me it was not my old vehicle.

[steveo578]

I am sure I saw a pic of one of these in sevice in Hong Kong -guarding the border at a later date than the Malayan emergency- the lump on the toe plate could be a make weight added to counter act the change in C of G of the vehicle due to the collar.

[Richard Farrant]

Richard

 

If it helps it came via Preston who I believe had brought it from a children's playground or similar.

 

 

Thanks Neil,

 

Only reason I asked was that one came up in the early Ludgershall tender sales, along with a Saladin training aid ( no mudguards due to being rolled frequently to train TA Recy Mechs ). These two were brought to the local Ordnance Depot for disposal through the tender sale, I think the Ferret might have come from a cadet unit, probably in this area, there were signs of markings and ARN, but I did not take note of them, don't seem to think it had an engine in it. I distinctly remember being asked by the Tank Museum at the time, for an appraisal of the Saladin, until they learnt of its condition.

.

[fv1609]

Boscombe Down used Ferrets as test loads. They had 5 Mk 2 Ferrets in 1990, one of which was a Mk 2/2 but without turret. It was 32 BA 90.

 

Two years later I saw a turretless 2/2 at Pounds. The paint work condition looked the same as was the liberal use of duct tape over the vision apertures. It's ERM was now 75 MS 45.

 

Was this your one Neil?

 

PS I can see a network of cord over the lockers which also visible on the Pounds one.

[steveo578]

There was a colour picture of 34BA28 a Malayan emergency RHQ ferret with gurkha rifles badge on july 1983 Army & Navy model world.

 

The stud retaining? the box thing on the toe plate in the original photo is the retainer for the matock head.

[REME 245]

Clive

 

My hull was complete just gutted.

 

Unfortunately all my pictures showing the number amd records went with the vehicle.

 

If anyone has a set of the old MV Magazine it was centre spread in one edition.