Canadian Ferret / Sand Channels

[Robin Craig]

NB. Be very clear here, we are talking about the issued sand channels and NOT PSP or Marsden matting or any similar item.

Does anyone have documentary evidence that Canadian Ferrets carried the two sand channels that are so common on British Ferrets.

Anyone show us?

R

[Robin Craig]

I like to see threads closed out properly so that our efforts are not wasted.

So, to review, while I have been shown a photo allegedly showing a Canadian Ferret carrying the sand channels, thus far there has been no photo showing a vehicle with visible Canadian markings carrying the channels.

At this time I am more than willing to be shown one but no one has been able to do that.

Until then.

R

[rob love]

Robin
If you have the FV number or even better the NSN for the ferret channels, I can check my 1984 microfiche and see if the items were even cataloged in our system.

Personally, I believe that the ferrets likely came with them as part of the EIS package, but would have quickly been chucked into the corner or used to load snow-blowers into the back of guys pickup trucks.

[Robin Craig]

Dear Rob,

that is a grand offer. Give me a day or two and I will send them to you.

It is a mystery I am determined to solve and your offer is a real item that would give provenance.

Thanks

R

[Harry Moon]

I'll check the pictures out at CMEC they were taken by Rollie Keith when he was with the first contingent to the Sinai. If they had sand channels anywhere they would have had them there

[Robin Craig]

Dear Harry,

thank you in advance,

Robin

[servicepub (RIP)]

Robin,
I have a dozen photos of Cdn Ferrets in UNEF and none has sand channels.
Clive

[Robin Craig]

Dear Clive et alia,

What I am trying to do is to prove whether they were or were not issued and carried on the Ferrets.

Clive your comments adds substance to the "not carried" debate but does not prove "were not issued". It looks like Rob will help there.

Curiously I was trolling the net tonight looking at UNEF images from places I have never visited that contained some of the more commonly seen pictures. Just on a hunch I looked around more and was scrolling down a page when I bumped into this image and had a double take.

For anyone who has handled the sand channels they will know that they are heavy and it is not surprising to imagine them being ditched fairly soon.

Seems like they were re-purposed very soon.

R

[rob love]

If someone were to come up with a Cdn checklist for a ferret (the earlier the better) it might also shed some light as to if they were included in the Cdn EIS.

The FGH have a good museum in Winnipeg with a decent amount of ferret pictures .Not sure when I will be there again, but perhaps if Derk Derin reads this he might peruse their photos. Many of them are not your "seen a million times" press release photos.

Speaking of ferret photos, I have a bunch of photos around here somewhere of the Cdn ferrets at the workshops before leaving for Cypress. They built some god awful chicken wire cage over the top....I suspect to protect against bottles and rocks being thrown at them. The photos show them strapped to the backs of the ferrets on the bonadventure, but once in cypress they seem to have been ditched.

[Michael R.]

None mounted in these images from the former West Germany.
Image credits Archives Canada.

Please don't yap at me about issued vs carried, I really don't give a darn. I posted the images for pure interest, not some technical discussion.

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

Speaking of ferret photos, I have a bunch of photos around here somewhere of the Cdn ferrets at the workshops before leaving for Cypress. They built some god awful chicken wire cage over the top....I suspect to protect against bottles and rocks being thrown at them. The photos show them strapped to the backs of the ferrets on the bonadventure, but once in cypress they seem to have been ditched.

Are you referring to this wonderful example of advanced Canadian engineering?

Clive

[Robin Craig]

Rob,

if you have more pictures of the chicken cages it would be good to get them in the public domain, so anytime your not spinning a wrench . .. feel free to post them

R

[rob love]

Originally Posted by servicepub

Are you referring to this wonderful example of advanced Canadian engineering?

Clive

That's the one. Note that it would only indicate (after the fact) rocks or rounds that were larger than 40mm.

Happier times in the peacekeeping army.

I'll have a look for my ferret photos now.

I'll have a look for my ferret photos now, but here is one of the standard press release photos from Cypress to do in the meantime.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Cypress? You guys were based on that sunny mediterranean island, right? Or is this proof that deployed soldiers don't really know where they are, feeling like they are chased up a tree....

PS: sorry, I could not resist!

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi All

Clive, you missed the other part of the "chicken cage" arrangement!!

I have looked through a great number of RCD Ferret photos and did not find any with sand channels mounted.

Now "Tote Goats" I found!!

regards
Darrell

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Darrell Zinck

Hi All

Clive, you missed the other part of the "chicken cage" arrangement!!

regards
Darrell

More like a rotisserie. Can you imagine the heat build-up in the Cyprus sun?
C

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Clive

I don't think the photo I showed was of Cyprus though. Too much snow on the ground!!

Well......... maybe up in the Troodos.

But you're right, more hot than cool!!

I see the lead vehicle in this photo has some sort of screen too.

regards
Darrell

* Or is that a Mk II!!?? D'oh!!

[servicepub (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Darrell Zinck

Hi Clive


I see the lead vehicle in this photo has some sort of screen too.

regards
Darrell

* Or is that a Mk II!!?? D'oh!!

That would make it one of the Brit loaners.
C

[rob love]

Yep, it looks like a mk2 turret.

Here is a shot of the vehicles on the flight deck, chicken cages fastened to the rear.

[rob love]

Here is another of the press release photos of Canadians on patrol in April of 1964. Smiling for the camera was not permitted and I suspect the driver's sunglasses may have been military issue.

[rob love]

Found these ferret photos tonight. Two show a ferret being craned from the aircraft carrier to a loading craft, and the last is of a ferret leaving the craft for dry land. You can see the chicken coop tents on some of the cages.

[Robin Craig]

Collectively wonderful photos you gents have put up here, thank you very much.

Tote Goat, is that the motorcycle thing on the back?

Correct that is a Mk2 lead vehicle

Note that none of these Cyprus shots even show them having sand channels fitted either when on deck or landing ashore.

More ammunition for the argument.

Love the chicken coop assembly, someone will have to re create one of those at some time.

R

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Robin

Yes, it was a trial for Centurions and Ferrets. Easier transport for Troop Leaders etc to get to Sqn/Regt'l Orders. Armoured Regt Hides cover a lot of real estate.

Found a few more. Wether NATO, UN or Domestic......no channels on RCD Ferrets.

regards
Darrell

[Robin Craig]

Darrell,

1st picture is a known one, others are all new to me.

Interesting is the clear showing in 3 of the 4 pictures the white side light bracket and light that was in place of the British side light and turn signal assembly.

Note that these were before the SMP M series light fitment.

FYI Phil Whitehead says "howdy" Darrell. Had a good chin wag aboutferrets with him over a camp fire and a pop at Coe Hill

R

[Darrell Zinck]

Hi Robin

Glad you liked them.

Also glad you fellows are continuing to get together with your vehicles. Thanks for passing Phil's greeting. I hope to get back to Upper Canada some day soon and do the rounds.

regards
Darrell