This 1960 vintage Mk 2/3 FV701(H) Ferret was first issued in 1962. It was built under contract 4/KL/A/0200. There were 118 Mk 2/3 vehicles built under this particular Ferret production contract: 32 in the first batch and 86 in the second (01 DC 01 onwards) of which this is the last vehicle built in 1960, entering service on the 1st of March 1962.
Its early service history is unknown. The information given here is gleaned from the records held at Bovington. The vehicle data plate indicates a rebuild in January 1969, and a “1” repair in May 1976. In the early 1980s, whilst at 23 Base Workshop REME, the vehicle was rebuilt; the Larkspur radios were exchanged for the Clansman radios and intercom system. Here is a picture of 01 DC 86 in such a workshop (thanks, Keith!) It was struck off service in 1991 and first registered as a civilian vehicle on 22nd September 1994. It was once again totally rebuilt in 2013. In 2016 the PRC-353 radios were refurbished, with the harness and intercom system being upgraded to ANR capability.
In BAOR this vehicle served with:
- 1 RTR (1968)
- The Blues & Royals, RHG/D (1969 – 1970)
- Life Guards (1971 – 1975)
- Vehicle depot, Mönchen Gladbach (1976)
- 3 RRF (1977 – 1981)
- 3 Queens (1981 – 1982)
- 23 Workshop REME (1982 – 1984) and
- 1 RHA (1987 – 1990)
In Iraq 01 DC 86 served with 40 Regt RA (the Lowland Gunners) from 1990 – 1991 in Operation Granby as part of the 7th Armoured Brigade. As part of a three vehicle liaison troop it would have been configured as a Mk 1 without the present turret, and would have been painted sand camouflaged with the famous red Desert Rat logo. It was rebuilt in its current form in 2013, latterly being fitted (2018) with an AV11 L7A1 passive night-driving periscope, which is now for sale.
This Ferret was returned to the central vehicle depot at Ludgershall, Wiltshire in March 1991 prior to disposal on 13th Sept. 1991 and subsequent use by Charterhouse CCF from 2001 until 2013. Now in private ownership as a classic military vehicle, its civilian registration is LFF 643.
Items for Sale
I do have some items for sale. If you are interested, please write to me (Jeremy S, OX11 0ED, UK). My apologies, but I no longer have email contact for various reasons, not least because of spam and malware. Thank you for your understanding.