Yes, thank you, I have seen that web site and document - but have not yet had time to read it. I just returned from a week long trip to:
1. Research Ferrets at Lord Strathcona Horse Museum in Calgary and see the other Military Museums there too.
2. Meet with Ken Rachert to talk about Ferrets
3. For my Ferret picked up a C-42 radio and Browning MG mount (No. 8 Mk. I), First Aid kit tine and sapre barrel case. MG mount is British made but had no data plate.
4. Go to Edmonton to visit and do more research. Saw Don Wright's magnificent restored ex-British Army Ferret with turret. Visited with Reg Hodgson.
5. Drove home to Mission (near Vancouver).
I am still trying to determine WHICH Canadian Ferrets went to each UNEF and UNFICYP. In both cases vehicles stayed and troops rotated in and out, signing over barracks and vehicles.
UNEF (1st one --- 1956-1967) had 23 Ferrets sent from Canada on board HMCS Magnificent. I have only found CFR numbers for two of them as they renumbered them at some point to UNEF numbers for the duration. Not sure yet when and how they left and whether they went back to Canada or to Cdn NATO units in W. Germany. Anyone out there know?
:-)
UNFICYP had Ferrets sent from Canada. First batch (3 or 4?) by air and then quickly followed up by 12 on HMCS Bonaventure. Have identified 13 of c. 16 from photos. Again I am not yet sure when they left, how, and whether the came back to canada or went to our NATO units in W. Germany. I suspect some or all may have been rerouted through W. Germany - the only evidence being the W. German money and French matchbook covers found in a UNITED NATIONS Canadian Ferret (Grant McAvoy's in Abbotsford, BC). It was always green and had a yellow UNITED NATIONS decal on the right outside of the fighting compartment. Canadians appear to have used at least one British Ferret in UNFICYP as a turreted example(s) show up in several photos with Canadian decals on it.
I am especailly looking for any lists from the military or UN showing:
1. Canadian Army Registration numbers (CAR/CFR) of Ferrets sent to UNEF in Sinai 1957 Ideally a list showing CAR/CFR and corresponding UNEF assigned number)
2. Canadian Army Registration numbers (CAR/CFR) of Ferrets sent to UNFICYP in Cyprus
3. Canadian Army Registration numbers (CAR/CFR) of Ferrets sent to Canadian units in NATO in West Germany
Now the main thing I need for my Ferret is a nice deactivated Browning 1919A4 in Canada.... I'm not fussy - it can be in .30/06 or 7.62mm
;-)(Yes I know semi-auto versions are available from MARSTAR but they are expensive and as live firearms have certain limitations - e.g. I would have to be with them at all times while they were on display.)
COLIN