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Ferret


FV701


Overview

Ferret Mk 2

A Ferret Mk 2 series scout car in private ownership seen on display in 2015.
Source: kitmasterbloke - © CC BY 2.0

Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Reconnaissance vehicle
Entered service
1952
Current status
Limited service
Development
1949 - 1950
Developer
United Kingdom - Daimler
Production
1952 - 1971
Producer
United Kingdom - Daimler
Number produced
4.409 in 16 sub-models
Designations
Daimler Ferret
FV701 (UK fighting vehicle index)
FV711 (index for large wheel Ferret)
Notable users
United Kingdom
India
France

Ferret Mk 1 armored car

Ferret Mk 1

A Ferret Mk 1 series scout car with Bren gun on its pintle mount in private ownership seen on display in 2010.
Source: Alf van Beem - © Public domain

Ferret with open roof with canvas cover. Intended as a general purpose armored car for frontline liaison duties. Operated by a crew of 2 or 3. Fitted with a pintle mounted machine gun. Initially this was either the Bren or Browning M1919. Later fitted with L7 GPMG (FN MAG).

List of Ferret Mk 1 variants

Ferret Mk 1
Original production version of the open roof Ferret for liaison duties.
Ferret Mk 1/1
Updated production model with sealed hull for fording water and thicker side and rear armor.
Ferret Mk 1/2
Similar to Ferret Mk 1/1 but fitted with an armored parapet with hinged roof instead of a canvas cover. Designated FV704.

Ferret Mk 2 reconnaissance vehicle

Ferret Mk 2

A Ferret Mk 2 series armored car on display at a museum in Israel as seen in 2005.
Source: Bukvoed - © CC BY-SA 3.0

Ferret intended for the reconnaissance role. Fitted with a one man machine gun turret similar to the Saracen armored personnel carrier. Most common version of the Ferret.

List of Ferret Mk 2 variants

Ferret Mk 2
First production version of the Ferret with one man turret.
Ferret Mk 2/1
a
Ferret Mk 2/2
Ferret Mk 1 with extended superstructure with vision slots and one man turret on top. Built for counter insurgency patrols during the Malayan Emergency.
Ferret Mk 2/3
Updated production model with thicker side an rear armor plates.
Ferret Mk 2/4
Original Ferret Mk 2 with armor plates welded to the sides and rear to bring it up to Mk 2/3 standard.
Ferret Mk 2/5
Ferret Mk 2/1 with armor plates welded to the sides and rear to bring it up to Mk 2/3 standard.
Ferret Mk 2/7
Ferret Mk 2/6 after Vigilant missiles were removed, bringing it back to Mk 2/3 standard.

Ferret Mk 4 reconnaissance vehicle

Ferret Mk 4

Ferret Mk 4 "big wheel" armored car, lacking its trim vane, seen in private ownership.
Source: www.selectmilitaryvehicles.co.uk - © Copyright lies with original owner

Product improved version of the Ferret hull. Known as FV711. Fitted with larger wheels and stronger suspension for improved off road performance at higher speeds. The armor is improved. A flotation screen is fitted to be able to ford through deeper water quicker and more reliably than before.

List of Ferret Mk 4 variants

Ferret Mk 3
Proposed open roof version similar to the Mk 1, but with the same improvements as the Mk 4 chassis. Never produced.
Ferret Mk 4
Ferret with improved chassis with larger wheels, better armor and stronger suspension. Fitted with the same turret as the Mk 2. Produced new and as rebuilt Mk 2/3.

Details

Facts Ferret Mk 1 Ferret Mk 2/3
General
Origin
United Kingdom
Type
Armored car
Crew
2 or 3
Dimensions
Weight
4.2 t combat load
3.5 t empty
Length
3.84 m
Width
1.91 m
Height
1.45 m
Main armament
Type
.30 M1919A4
Mount
Pintle mount center rear of open roof
Ammunition
450 rounds in total
Traverse
Manual traverse and elevation
Stabilizer
No
Chassis
Chassis type
Wheeled chassis, 4x4
Steering
Front axle
Tread
1.54 m
Tire size
9.00 x16
Wheelbase
2.29 m
Suspension
Coil spring
Automotive
Engine model
Rolls Royce B60 Mk 6A
Engine type
Inline 6-cylinder water-cooled petrol
Power output
130 hp at 2.750 rpm
Transmission
5 speed
Fuel
96 L
Mobility
Speed
93 km/h on road
Range
310 km on road
160 km in the field
Turn radius
5.8 m
Power to weight ratio
31.0 hp/t
Obstacle crossing
Ground clearance
0.33 m
Wall
0.4 m
Trench
1.2 m
Gradient
46 %
Fording
0.9 m unprepared
1.5 m prepared
Protection
Armor type
Steel, welded
Armor thickness
12 to 16 mm hull front
12 to 16mm hull sides
6 to 10 mm hull floor
Open roof
NBC system
No
Smoke system
2x3 66 mm smoke grenade launchers
Equipment
Night vision
Optional

Media

Ferret family of vehicles

Ferret Mk 2/6

Ferret Mk 2/3 with a launch box for the Vigilant anti-tank guided missile on each side of the turret.

Read more about Ferret Mk 2/6

Ferret Mk 5

Ferret Mk 4 with four Swingfire anti-tank guided missiles in a new wide turret.

Fox

Further development of the Ferret Mk 4 chassis with a two man turret with 30mm Rarden autocannon.

Read more about Fox