Alvis FV701 Ferret

     Notes: The Ferret is an obsolete, British-built, 4x4 armored car, having been originally designed in 1947 to a British Army requirement for a light, agile scout car.  The Ferret was similar to the World War 2 Daimler Dingo in form and layout, though it was larger and had a more powerful engine and beefier suspension.  The Ferret used a then-novel H-form drive train with a central differential, which allowed the height of the Ferret to be reduced while retaining a decent ground clearance and good mobility.  The Ferret was powered by a Rolls Royce B.60 gasoline engine developing 116 horsepower, coupled to a manual transmission which had all gears available whether driving forward or backwards.  The suspension is by transverse links and single-coil springs, with the tires being of the run-flat type.  Armor protection is limited to keep the weight down. The vehicle has a single hatch on the top serving both driver and commander/gunner.  Though according to US Military sources some 20 countries were employing the Ferret in 1996, few countries use the Ferret in 2023, and these primarily serve in a police or internal security role.  Many have been sold to private concerns, with others finding their way into museums, and others becoming range targets.

     The Mark 1 was the original version, and was produced in three primary variants, the Mk 1, Mk 1/1 and Mk 1/2.  These versions were characterized by a flat-topped superstructure with a light or medium machinegun on a pintle mount.  The Mk 1 had its pintle on the rear of the superstructure, while the Mk 1/1 had the pintle on the front of the superstructure. The Mk 1/1 also had revised ammunition and internal stowage and in general allowing for the crew to find things easier, and in having things like racks for personal weapons and hand grenades. The Mk 1/2 had a low fixed turret (somewhat like a further superstructure) with the machinegun on a pintle at the front of the turret. The Mk 1/1 and Mk 1/2 had thicker armor plates on the sides and rear than the Mk 1. The Mk 1/1 and 1/2 are amphibious with preparation; a flotation screen must be erected, taking 10 minutes to perform.

     The Mk 2/1 was a Mk 1 with the turret of the Mk 1/2 and revised stowage of the Mk 1/1, as well as applique armor to bring it up to the Mk 1/1 standard.  It also had applique armor on the front of the turret, and the turret hatch was made two-part, opening to each side.  The Mk 2/2 had minor differences from the Mk 2/1.  The Mk 2/3 was the primary reconnaissance car for the British Army; it had a hand-cranked turret with the machinegun in a ball mount and a searchlight mounted on the right side of the turret, and was otherwise similar to the Mk 1/2 for game purposes.  The Mk 2/4 was an upgraded version that differed from the Mk 2/3 primarily in having applique armor plates on the sides and on the turret sides and front. The Mk 2/5 was a Mk 1/1 or 1/2 upgraded to a Mk 2/4 standard. The Mk 2/6, also known as the FV703, was equipped with a four-round Vigilant ATGM system and all that it entails. The missiles were fixed at a slight elevation from the turret. When the Vigilant system became obsolete, the Mk 2/6s were returned to Mk 2/4 configuration, and were designated Mk 2/7s. The Mk 2s can also swim with the use of a flotation screen, like the Mk 1/1 and 1/2.

     The Mk 3 was known by the troops as the “Big Wheels” version.  It indeed had larger wheels and tires than earlier Marks, with an attendant higher ground clearance and some increase in off-road mobility. Armor protection was also increased. The vehicle was also made amphibious by design, and did not require preparation to swim, or need flotation screens. The engine is an uprated version of the standard engine, developing 129 horsepower, to cope with increased weight.

     The Mk 4, also known as the FV711, was a version equipped with the turret of the Alvis Saracen APC.  The Mk 4s were newly built as well as conversions from the Mk 2/3 and 2/4.  These were armed with a machinegun in a ball mount, and had a searchlight on the right side of the turret.

     The Mk 5, also known as the FV712, was derived from the Mk 3, but had a wide, flat turret mounting four Swingfire ATGMs, and a pintle-mounted machinegun in between the missile racks.

The Ferret 80

     The Ferret 80 was, as the name indicates, an export upgrade package developed by Alvis in 1980 to extend the Ferret’s useful lifespan.  The hull steel armor was replaced by aluminum plates, and one of three turrets were offered, up to a Helio FVT900 turret mounting a 20mm autocannon and a coaxial machinegun, with electrical rotation. The new hull armor plates made the hull more longitudinal and boxier. A more powerful Perkins T6-3544 155-horsepower diesel engine was fitted to cope with the increased weight, and was made a unitary powerpack with an automatic transmission. The transverse links in the suspension were replaced with wishbone links. Steering was given a power assist, as were the brakes. Night vision and rudimentary fire control equipment was fitted, along with an NBC Overpressure system. The electrical system was totally re-wired and reinforced. It would have been an interesting variant, but Alvis attracted no interest on the international market and the Ferret 80 was discontinued after a few years.

Fox

     Notes: This light armored vehicle was designed concurrently with the Scimitar for use in light divisions.  The official British designation is the CVR-W (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance – Wheeled), and the Fox was meant to replace the Ferret.  It was the last armored vehicle that the British division of Daimler built; it then closed its production facilities in 1971.  Many Fox turrets were removed and placed on Scorpion chassis; along with some more upgrades, these modified vehicles were made into the Sabre (q.v.).  The Fox is also used by Nigeria and Malawi.  The driver is in the center of the front deck, with hatches on the turret deck for the commander and gunner.  In addition, there is a small door on the left side of the vehicle.  The Fox is amphibious with about 5 minutes of preparation. The Fox can be dropped by parachute or LAPES insertion.  In combat, Foxes were normally seen festooned with ammunition boxes and fuel cans, as internal storage is extremely limited.

     The Panga is a “light” version of the Fox, with a one-man turret armed only with a heavy machinegun.  It has a fully automatic transmission, air conditioning, flashing lights and a siren, and a PA system.  It is in service only with Malaysia.

     The Fox/25mm is a variant armed with a 25mm Chain Gun.  It is presented here as an interesting variant, but was never actually developed beyond the prototype stage.

     The Fox/Milan has its turret replaced with a lighter turret mounting twin Milan ATGM launchers.  It too was not developed beyond prototype state. 

     Twilight 2000 Notes: The practice of placing Fox turrets on Scorpion chassis was stopped soon after the start of the war, as it was apparent that as many armored vehicles as possible needed to be available, and the remaining Foxes were refurbished instead.   A few Fox/Milans also made it into combat.

Hornet

     Notes: This is a British light armored car sold to several Middle Eastern and African nations.  It is fitted with light, but surprisingly effective armor, and a turret.  It is based on an armored version of the Land Rover Defender chassis.

Scarab

     Notes: Originally designed to replace the Ferrets of the South African Defense Force, the Scarab is based on the chassis of the Unimog U-1600 series of trucks.  The Scarab is fitted with lightweight but strong armor able to stop light cannon shells hitting the front of the vehicle.  The Scarab is equipped with a light turret mounting a GI2 20mm autocannon.  This is a remote turret, aimed and fired by a gunner inside the hull using a downlinked TV monitor with a periscope backup.  The windows are of ballistic glass able to provide a level of protection equal to the armor of the face in which they are installed.  The floor of the vehicle is mine resistant, and against mine blasts, the floor is treated as having twice the armor of the front face. The driver has a door on the right side of the front compartment; there is also a hatch on the roof over the commander’s position.

Saladin

     Notes: Originally designed to replace a variety of World War 2 armored cars, the Saladin was designed shortly after that war and entered service in 1955.  It was in turn replaced in British service by the Scorpion, but remains in service with several Third World nations in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.  The Saladin is a light 6x6 chassis topped with a turret armed with a short-barreled 76mm gun.  There is a hatch on the center front for the driver, and hatches on the turret deck for the commander and gunner.

Shorland Mk3

     Notes: The Shorland Mk3 was a lightly armored APC version of the LWB Land Rover produced originally for British use in Northern Ireland, but later sold elsewhere.  The vehicle is a basic 4x4 Land Rover chassis with an armored body and machinegun turret added.

Simba AFSV

     Notes: This version of the Simba armored personnel carrier was designed as a light reconnaissance vehicle and fire support vehicle for Simba and other wheeled formations.  The only pre-war sales were to the Philippines.

     Twilight 2000 Notes: Filipino Simbas were used in a very violent manner against rebels in fortified (or not so fortified) positions, and even against rioters in a few instances.  Some of these vehicles were acquired by British forces during the war, mostly for internal security purposes, but some of them were used to replace vehicle losses in the European theatre.