UK
Ferret Light Scout Car
Gary's Combat Vehicle Reference Guide

IN0534: Ferret Mk4
GENERAL DATA
  Mk 1/1 Mk 1/2 Mk 2/3 Mk 2/6 Mk 4
Country of OriginUK
RoleReconnaissance vehicle, internal security
Date Of Introduction 1952
Crew 2 - 3 3 2 2 2
Combat Weight 4.64 tons (4.21 mt) 4.82 tons (4.37 mt) 4.85 tons (4.4 mt) 5.03 tons (4.56 mt) 5.05 tons (5.4 mt)
Ground Pressure ?
Drive Formula 4 x 4
Length, Overall 12.6 ft (3.835 m) 12.6 ft (3.835 m) 12.6 ft (3.835 m) 12.6 ft (3.835 m) 13 ft (3.96 m)
Width, Overall 6.25 ft (1.905 m) 6.25 ft (1.905 m) 6.25 ft (1.905 m) 6.25 ft (1.905 m) 7 ft (2.134 m)
Height, Overall 4.75 ft (1.448 m) 5.42 ft (1.651 m) 6.16 ft (1.879 m) 6.16 ft (1.879 m) 6.66 ft (2.03 m)
Ground Clearance 13 in (330 mm) 17 in (432 mm)
PERFORMANCE
  Mk 1/1 Mk 1/2 Mk 2/3 Mk 2/6 Mk 4
Engine Rolls-Royce B60 Mk 6A six-cylinder in-line water-cooled 129 hp (96 kw) gasoline
Range Road: 190 miles (306 km).     Cross Country: 99 miles (160 km)
Fuel Capacity 25 gal (96 l)
Road Speed 58 mph (93 km/h) 50 mph (80 km/h)
Cross Country Speed ?
Swim Speed N/A ?
Fording Depth 3 ft (0.914 m) unprepared. 5 ft (1.524 m) with preparation Amphibious
Grade46%
Trench Crossing4 ft (1.22 m), with channels
Vertical Wall Climb1.33 ft (0.406 m)
PROTECTION
  Mk 1/1 Mk 1/2 Mk 2/3 Mk 2/6 Mk 4
Armor
Hull front: 0.47-0.63 in (12-16 mm)     Turret front: 0.63 in (16 mm)
Hull sides: 0.47-0.63 in (12-16 mm)Turret sides: 0.63 in (16 mm)
Hull floor: 0.24-0.39 in (6-10 mm)Turret rear: 0.63 in (16 mm)
Hull rear: 0.23-0.47 in (6-12 mm)Turret top: 0.32 in (8 mm)
Applique ArmorN/A
Explosive Reactive ArmorN/A
Active Protective SystemN/A
NBC Protection SystemN/A
Smoke EquipmentThree smoke grenade launchers on either side of hull
ARMAMENT
See variants. The Ferret generally carries a 7.62mm machine gun and 2,500 rounds of ammunition.
FIRE CONTROL
  Mk 1/1 Mk 1/2 Mk 2/3 Mk 2/6 Mk 4
Fire Control SystemN/A
Main Gun StabilizationN/A
RangefinderN/A
Infrared SearchlightN/A

NOTES

A replacement for the Daimler Dingo scout car of World War II, the Daimler Ferret was produced from 1952 to 1971. Throughout its production life, the basic hull remained unchanged, but more powerful engines and different turrets were installed.

The Ferret has an all-welded steel hull that is divided into three compartments: the driver's compartment in the front, the fighting compartment in the center, and the engine compartment in the rear. The driver sits in front with three hatches: one in front and one on each side. Each hatch has an integral periscope. The front hatch may be folded down onto the glacis plate. This can be fitted with a splinter-proof windscreen with wiper blade and electric motor. The two side hatches open upwards when not in a combat area.

In the center is a manually-operated turret. A hatch cover in the roof rear can be locked in three different positions. A rear part of the turret folds down horizontally for use as a seat. In front of the turret roof is a sight periscope for aiming the turret-mounted machine gun. A vision slit with glass block is in each side of the hull below the turret ring. Two hatches are at the rear of the fighting compartment. A hull escape hatch is on each side between the front and back wheels. These are covered by a spare tire on the left and a stowage box on the right.

The basic scout car has no NBC system, no night vision equipment, and no amphibious ability. A deep-fording kit has a collapsible bellows-type collar that goes around the top of the commander's hatch. Another fits at the very rear of the hull. The Ferret Mk 3 and Mk 4 models have a collapsible screen that goes around the top of their hulls which allows travel across lakes and rivers using their wheels for propulsion. The Ferret Mks 1, 2, and 3 can carry steel channels on the front that are used for crossing trenches.

A Rolls-Royce B60 Mk 6A six-cylinder in-line water-cooled gas engine develops 129 horsepower at 3,750 rpm. Drive is transferred to all four wheels with a fluid-coupling transmission having five speeds in each direction. The waterproof engine will run when completely submerged without any preparation other than venting the crankcase breather pipe. Run-flat tires are each suspended with a shock absorber and single coil spring.

These vehicles have been phased out of British service. The Fox armored car is a further development of the Ferret light scout car.

Recognition features:

VARIANTS

Ferret Mk 1
An open top which may be covered by canvas is featured on this version also called Car Scout 4 x 4 Liaison FV701(C). It has a 7.62mm Bren machine gun or a 7.62mm (.30-cal) Browning machine gun with 450 rounds.
Ferret Mk 1/2 (FV704)
This vehicle is identical to the Mk 1 except for a three-man crew, this variant is designated Car Scout Liaison Mk 1/2. There is an armored roof with periscopes, vision blocks, and rear-opening hatch cover.
Ferret Mk 2
This is basically a Mk 1 fitted with a turret. The Mk 2 has a 7.62mm Browning machine gun mounted in the turret. It is officially known as the Car Scout 4 x 4, Reconnaissance (Ferret) Mk 2 FV701(E).
Ferret Mk 2/2
This was a local modification carried out in the Far East. It is basically the Ferret Mk 2 with an extension collar fitted between the top of the hull and the machine gun turret to enable the commander/gunner to have a better field of fire.
Ferret Mk 2/3
Officially designated Scout Car Reconnaissance Mk 2/3 (Daimler Ferret 4 x 4) FV701(H), this is the later production model of the Mk 2.
Ferret Mk 2/4
This is a Ferret Mk 2/3 with additional armor.
Ferret Mk 2/5
This is a Ferret Mk 2 brought up to Ferret Mk 2/4 standards.
Ferret Mk 2/6 (FV703)
Designated Scout Car Reconnaissance/Guided Weapon Mk 2/6, this model is a Mk 2/3 with one Vigilant ATGW ready-to-launch missile on each side of the turret. In place of the spare wheel on the left side are two more missiles. The wire-guided missile has a range of 200 to 1,375 meters. The last known users were Libya and the United Arab Emirates, but they may have been placed the vehicles in reserve.
Ferret Mk 3
This is the Mk 1/1 improved to Mk 4 standards with a machine-gun turret.
Ferret Mk 3/7
This is a Ferret Mk 2/6 with the missile system removed. It is, therefore, basically a Ferret Mk 2/3.
Ferret Mk 4 (FV711)
IN0534: Ferret Mk 4
This model is an early Ferret rebuilt with stronger suspension, disc brakes, and large tires. Around the top of the hull is a collapsed flotation screen that provides the vehicle the capability to propel itself across lakes and rivers by its wheels. Watertight stowage containers are on either side of the hull, and servicing points have been reduced.
Ferret Mk 5
This model is fitted with a turret and Swingfire ATGWs.

Last updated:  20-JUL-2006
Copyright ©2006 Gary W. Cooke
To the best of my knowledge all military data and images presented in these pages are UNCLASSIFIED, NON-SENSITIVE, and approved for public release.

Sources:
GTA 17-2-8 Armored Vehicle Recognition, February 1977.
IN0534 Vehicle Recognition (Friendly Armor), Edition D.