Tank Chats

Kicking off July with a Tank Chat from David Fletcher! This week join him as he gives a detailed chat on the history and features of the Ferret MKII & V scout car.
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00:00 | Intro
00:30 | History
06:50 | Features
#ferret #tankchat #DavidFletcher

[@thetankmuseum]

Hello Tank Nuts! David Fletcher is back with a brand new Tank Chat on the Ferret - do let us know your thoughts. Also did any of you make it to TANKFEST this year?

[@kalaharimine]

Yep, for the 1st time. Great show

[@davewedgbury1583]

Visited on the Saturday took my Dad as a suprise great as usual. Always like walking around the restoration shed.

[@samson40a]

Tankfest Saturday and Sunday. Had a great time until the Chieftain broke down mid ride.

[@Mungstein]

Yep I was there last weekend. Had a great time. The arena show was especially good. Got a bit sunburnt though!

[@kalaharimine]

Don't they normally take Tiger 131 for a spin, pity I missed that.

[@sambagogo777]

"We felt that it was great fun to insult the Scots AND the Australians." Priceless!

[@samholdsworth420]

Spoken like a true Englishman

[@laurencemoore2105]

BREAKING NEWS: Museum and national treasure decide to troll two separate cultures. Neither group particularly bothered.

[@UAuaUAuaUA]

The double strike is alive and kicking.

[@alexwilliamson1486]

Aye, and?…..

[@anthyatt6904]

Actually made me laugh at loud, said in such a matter of fact way.

[@JessWLStuart]

"We felt it was great fun to insult the Scottish and the Australians in one go!" LOL! I love David Fletcher!

[@richardklug822]

"You put the second two (missles) in and go hunting for more tanks, which is balmy enough!"... more wisdom from The Master. Priceless!

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

I think he said (of the Ferret crew reloading and having another go) "If you're barmy enough"

[@JohnyG29]

missiles*

[@EmyrDerfel]

Balmy is what you might call a hot day. Barmy means insane.

[@dynaflow666]

"... or scatch himself." That is the best of British humor. And everyone can literally imagine where this bloke scatches himself.

[@blobbem]

14:09 - "We felt it was great fun to insult the Scots and the Australians in one go."

[@bigblue6917]

I think this counts as a red letter day.😀

[@guylelanglois6642]

Mr Fletcher is a national treasure for you guys. Love to tip a pint with him.

[@williamanderson8883]

My regiment Royal Scots greys tested the ferret with flotation skirts on the river Vezer in Germany in the sixtys the current was to great and it ended up 12 miles down stream

[@cyclesgoff9768]

Every time I hear about the Royal Scot’s I think about the magnificent painting “Scotland Forever “ that was my privilege to view at a dining in night around 1977ish. A very good cellar btw if my memory serves me right.

[@ernestpaul2484]

I got to witness the Bradley famously sinking in the Chattahoochee River in the 80's when I was stationed at Ft. Benning, GA. So it effects all armies, as sometimes the "good idea fairy" has some questionable ideas.

[@michaelguerin56]

No surprise. Propellers were good enough for us in RNZE.

[@ericgrace9995]

So you invaded Belgium ?

[@ernestpaul2484]

@@ericgrace9995 LOL!

[@unixnerd23]

Got to sit in one of these as a small boy, a highlight of my youth! Of course my Action Man had one too.

[@andrewclayton4181]

The American's say aluminum. The British say Aluminium. Mr Fletcher has come up with alumilium. It saves any argument.

[@johndowe7003]

It was aluminum first!

[@johndowe7003]

@@JohnyG29 it is a fact and it is correct

[@mementomori7825]

@@johndowe7003 And now it's aluminium. Which is a fact and correct.

[@johndowe7003]

@@mementomori7825 still aluminum here in the states bub

[@alamore5084]

@@JohnyG29 LOL🤣 You could be right!

[@MartinBuhr]

“…you put two more missiles in and go looking for another tank (if you’re balmy enough)…”

[@bigblue6917]

Time for the wise words of the Sage of Bovington. Always a great way to start your weekend. Like a number of commentators here I have a soft spot for the Ferret. So hit the play button and sit back and enjoy.

[@DanielsPolitics1]

I like that he is entirely unsure of several things, while getting almost everything right. He clearly has the knowledge to just rock up and extemporise pretty capably on anything in the collection. Anyone else would have to prep, so would have looked up the details and written a script.

[@Mrspaceman1999]

A great episode, god bless Mr Fletcher, he is such a joy to listen to. Such knowledge and passion is a rare sight. + Even tho his manner of speech is quite calm and, to some I'm sure, quite sleepy, it's a pleasure to listen to for me every time

[@tacticalvelociraptor9458]

fantastic little recce car , loved when i got a chance to drive one a few years ago

[@kristoffermangila]

You've joined Jay Leno among those guys who drove a Ferret.

[@SamTheManWhoCanTwice]

there's still a few rusting in a variety of training base bushes in the UK

[@Convoycrazy]

I wish David’s chats were twice as long. Greatly enjoy these, thank you

[@salvadorloarca5303]

David Fletcher ! El bigote que narra y hace historia!. Saludos desde Queretaro, Mexico.

[@russwoodward8251]

It’s always good to see David Fletcher. Thanks.

[@johnlansing2902]

Finally , honesty in sales ! If the man survives he can reload , if he’s balmy enough ! Great

[@DCTriv]

Love the Ferret, fantastic video, thanks David and The Tank Museum!

[@davidgoodnow269]

I have loved the Ferret since I was a boy. A bank had two which it used as armored cars for transfer of payroll and valuables, and put them up for sale when I was a boy. I tried to talk my father in to buying one for me as a first car, and still think it would have been a quality choice and keen investment. It's a Rolls-Royce, after all. They were the big wheel type, and these did not have amphibious kits. If I had that for a fisher, I think I would attach an electric trolling motor. Great episode, thanks!

[@DH.2016]

As a Scot, it was also great fun for me to hear an Englishman trying his very best to pronounce "Aluminium" ("Alumillium" indeed, David). 8-)

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you , Mr Fletcher . 🐺

[@jeffturnbull9661]

I've always been a huge fan of the Ferrets, was briefly in touch with a gentleman who sold them until the wife stepped in, happy to see any informative videos on them and this was excellent

[@gusgone4527]

The loss of the Ferret was very sad. Thanks again Mr Fletcher, Sir.

[@gunnargundersen3787]

Woo Hoo. New Tank Museum video. Gleaming. Love the Ferret. Would love to have one in my garage.

[@Mr00Chief00]

Just wanted to say I really am amazed at how you acted out the emotion in that final message, nothing but the utmost respect for the respectful manner in which you folks bring this subject to the table!

[@azwris]

Genuine vehicles! Welcome back Mr. Fletcher..

[@havegregory]

I really enjoy these videos. Thanks for sharing!

[@idied2]

I'm very much enjoying my tank slippers. this is channel is one of my favorite, because of the enjoyable narration. keep up the good work

[@RecklessTurtle]

"... or so I was told..." 😂 What a legend...

[@psymons9133]

Good to see Mr Fletcher back...

[@strontiumstargazer103]

Metaphorically glued

[@JakeTheTankmaster]

Ferrets are brilliant, I'd love to own one some day.

[@MrTangolizard]

I have 2 ferrets lovely animals

[@atomicshadowman9143]

They turn up for sale a lot $15-$20k

[@Simon_Nonymous]

@@atomicshadowman9143 we were looking at them today.... but she said 'no'.

[@mikerobinson3899]

Thank you for seeing me at tankfest I loved it

[@imagremlin875]

Great commentary good sir.

[@SportyMabamba]

One day I will own a Ferret and drive to Tesco in it 🤩

[@BigSauce_]

David Fletcher is a national treasure

[@PnPModular]

This is brilliant thanks so much

[@omekwan808]

Great video. I also want to see more video about armoured car and APC, especially Saracen and Saladin.

[@lairdcummings9092]

Yay! I was *hoping* it would be Sir David narrating. Those early generation missiles only encouraged scouts to get involved in fights they ought not being fighting. There are reports of Israeli tanks driving about the battlefield, dragging skeins of missile guidance wire about; the wire-guided Soviet ATGMs were powerful, but the Egyptian gunners weren't trained to the necessary standards, and kept missing high.

[@dogsnads5634]

Years ago at the British Army training facility in Canada at Suffield, called BATUS, a Gazelle helicopter crashed after flying low through a small 'valley'. Years of MILAN, Swingfire and TOW firings had left loads of thin missile guidance wires suspended over this small depression in the ground. The wires were caught by the rotor and wrapped all around the helicopter causing the crash. Luckily the 2 crew onboard escaped with their lives...

[@AyebeeMk2]

This is what we want; more words of wisdom from the man himself!...

[@TheArklyte]

Perfect for gunning down alien threats! ...and nobody got that reference. Loved the look of this armoured car, but surely not one I would like to be driving myself.

[@johnmiller1300]

Top job guys

[@Davros-vi4qg]

Always thought these little cars look brilliant fun…. Let’s see what the Master says!

[@martinhumble]

Tank you!

[@Twirlyhead]

I don't know which would be more terrifying, an anti tank missile that comes at you so quick you can't react or one that dances slowly and inevitably toward you like some deadly butterfly.

[@lavrentivs9891]

If it's slower you can at least pop smoke and reverse, or at the very least get out of the tank and run away.

[@nonamesplease6288]

You can also direct suppressing fire at the guy who fired the missile to keep his head down and make him miss. The missile that comes at you slower gives you a better chance.

[@watcherzero5256]

Real footage of what it feels like! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jIHdXml-qrJricU

[@inisipisTV]

There are videos showing tanks easily dodging Anti-tank missiles by simply reversing quickly. That’s why it’s important that the tank should never see you firing at them because a tank can easily move it’s canon and shoot at you before you can even pull a missiles trigger.

[@JohnyG29]

I wouldn't call 238mph "slow".

[@tasman006]

If it survives the first two ATGM then load the 2nd two ATGM looking for tanks if you are Barmy enough. LOL dam awsome stuff from Mr Fletcher.

[@el0375]

that ricochet of the training missile @ 1:52

[@jasons44]

I love this guy

[@JustFamilyPlaytime]

M'Lord Fletcher returns to the sound of jubilation and rejoicing!

[@Sleepy.Time.]

Thanks!

[@thetankmuseum]

Thank you very much for your support! Glad you enjoyed David's Tank Chat.

[@lathelarson4009]

My boi Flecher is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs.

[@backachershomestead]

I remember there was an ad in American survival guide that you could buy a ferret. Always wanted one.

[@antonionunes9525]

Drive the MKII in Portugal for 2 years, 85/86 in Portuguese Air Force Police (same as RAF Regiment).

[@gaptaxi]

Very honest opinions on the missile systems, about what I think about using snipers against a modern army, it is a one way trip! But I suppose using a bow and arrow wasn´t that healthy either?

[@lafouche345]

Sir David ……. the authority

[@barryrammer7906]

Amazing information. Now I know we're the American guided wire missiles systems we had came from. You British invented it . Awesome job

[@mariojeths4181]

actually the Nazis invented it…

[@dogsnads5634]

Weirdly the US only really managed to make 1 decent wire guided missile. The TOW. But strictly speaking the German's came up with the idea but couldn't finish it during WW2. Afterwards the French got out of the blocks first with SS.10 ENTAC which was notoriously hard to control, but cheap. The US bought that. Then the Germans/Swiss had the Cobra, the UK/Australia had the enormous Malkara. The US replaced ENTAC with the French SS.11, before eventually going to the US developed TOW. But the USMC actually purchased the Vigilant (sometimes known as Clevite in US service). They then also moved to TOW. A manportable US ATGM didn't really arrive for the US until 1975 when the rather awful Dragon arrived...meanwhile the rest of the Western world who were sane bought MILAN... US ATGM's are a bit like US air to air missiles. For years there were lots of false starts, lots of development with little to show for it, resulting in 1 decent design (ATGM it was TOW, AAM's it was Sidewinder) then suddenly in the late 70's, 80's, early 90's the US gets its act together and creates Hellfire, Javelin, Amraam you name it...

[@barryrammer7906]

@@dogsnads5634 awesome info when I was in USA military we had the TOW. Excellent when we used them. Thanks for info 👍

[@WasLostButNowAmFound]

Most cultured moustache in bovington.

[@kimcason8764]

Mr. Fletcher on Great form. If you have Fired your first 2 missiles, you can put another 2 up, and go looking for more Tanks "If your Barmy enough..!" Love the Wonderful Dry British Humour..! Reminds me of My Old Dad. Thanks for the 'Warm Fuzzy' Cheers All kim in Oz.😎

[@QALibrary]

not sure if they upgrade the wire on the TOW missile - you could not fire that over any type of water because you short out the wires controlling where the missle was being pointed

[@MartinBuhr]

Or across power lines…

[@Patrickmc_92]

I've always been curious about what happens to the wires after the missiles have been fired?

[@AtheistOrphan]

Trip hazard on the battlefield!

[@alamore5084]

Health and Safety nightmare those wires. If the enemy tripped over them and got injured they would sue (probably successfully) the British government.🤣

[@alexwilliamson1486]

I was on exercise in Canada, we had to go out and pick it up? After MILAN had been fired…couple of KMs worth…I’m not pulling your leg….

[@b2tall239]

Let the "Most Over-The-Top and Effusive Praise for the Host in Order to Get Likes" contest begin!! Mr. Fletcher always brings out the best! Nice video in any case. Thanks.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

ohhh I love ferrets both kinds The furry and the metal ones lol. This style is making a comeback. Ukraine are fitting up a load of scimitars with brimstones instead of the cannon. Sneaky and stingy and speedy. All they need to do is have an operator designating from a bush out of sight somewhere, and you can launch it from behind a hill like hellfire. Cheers for the upload.

[@pourlemerite]

This new fangelled welded aluminium!

[@dennismartin7406]

Just turned 19, first thing to do? Watch the new tank chat of course.

[@kristoffermangila]

If you want to see a Ferret in action, you should watch the episode of Jay Leno's Garage about the Ferret Mk II.

[@JohnSmith-yv6eq]

Or for more quirks and features...Doug de Muro review... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGbXhYacjLKYhNE

[@richieb7692]

Thanks for the suggestion

[@chrisparsons8856]

Is that a CDL Matilda tank behind David? Have you folks done a chat on that vehicle?

[@ssgtmole8610]

I think I'd be worried that the Swingfire missle guide wires could get wrapped around the remote sight operator. 😮

[@Twirlyhead]

There is footage somewhere of the Vigilant's successor, Swingfire, taking out an Iraqi T55 (I think) fired from FV102 Striker; if anyone has a link please let me know.

[@timgosling6189]

Perhaps slightly over-egging the difficulty of aiming wire-guided missiles? In fact the technique was very similar to that now used by modern laser/RF-guided SACLOS systems; it just used a wire instead of the EM command link. And, correct me if needed, but I seem to remember time of flight was likely to be around 20 seconds for a max range shot. As long as the reticle was in the ballpark and on the target for the final 5 seconds or so you would get a hit. Of course the other problem with the smoke from the motors on early missiles wasn't just that it gave a good indication of the launch site, it could also obscure the target from the operator. So not only might vengence be coming back at you but you could well miss entirely.

[@dogsnads5634]

He is a little bit. The Vigilant was a very interesting missile, the design was fantastic in terms of its usability. The launch tube set up and remote firing sight for infantry was genuinely innovative. Vigilant was controlled by 'joystick' though, it was an early generation MCLOS ATGM (you can see the really clever 'gun' like grip of the dismounted version at 1.47 in the video). Swingfire came after and introduced SACLOS guidance, which meant you only had to keep the crosshairs on the target and the system would look after the missile to ensure a hit. Much easier to use and crucially an operator could become proficient without having to fire lots of missiles in training. Swingfire was the UK equivalent to TOW and in many ways was superior. The firing from cover, dismounted remote sight and ability to fire at a target 180 deg. either side of the direction the missile was pointing was a huge advantage in the type of warfare expected in WW3 in Europe. You only have to see how excited people get by remote set-ups today with the success that Stugna-P is having in Ukraine. In many ways Stugna-P has it the wrong way around....it's far easier to keep a small sight unit and operator in cover than a large missile tripod with a big firing signature...and you're still going to have to reload in clear sight of a tank or recover the firing unit...

[@JohnyG29]

David is typically very negative, especially about UK kit. He is still entertaining to watch however.

[@ditzydoo4378]

I simply love stroke 6-ing my Mk-II ferret. >~< by the by, was this version ever offered in the HOT, Milan system??? A modern twist would be to have a pair of Javins on this beasty. ^~^

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Or a dozen switchblade drones to blend recon with spotting for indirect fire and surgical attack capability.

[@ditzydoo4378]

@@SonsOfLorgar oh very nasty indeed.

[@dcanmore]

ha yes, at Kirkcubright there is the Dundrennan MOD Range and the Swingfire was probably tested there at some point, still some old wrecks lying about including three or so Comets and a Churchill.

[@Simon_Nonymous]

I wonder if Mr Fletcher has read about the use of AT3 Saggers in 1973...

[@dfxl6587]

Hi David, Not only have they spelt Kirkcudbright wrong on the turret, but the names above it are also wrong, it should be Girstingwood, Dundrennan. This is the location of the range HQ, including the hangers and administration buildings. At least it was when I was stationed there from 1975 to 1978. It was known then as AWMVEE, (Armaments Wing Military Vehicle Engineering Establishment). They gave us lots of toys to play with which made very loud bangs, (Armament development projects), many of the results of our work are still in service today, e.g. Chobham Armour, IFCS etc. In 1974, when Turkey invaded Cyprus, my Squadron, C Sqn, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, were crashed out from Tidworth UK to Cyprus as we were the UK Independent Armoured Recce Sqn. Shortly after our arrival we became UN troops. 1st Troop had the Mk 5 Ferrets with Swingfire missiles, the rest of us had the Mk 2 Ferrets. 1st Troop were stationed at the Airport in Nicosia, to supposedly protect it from the Turkish Armour, I do not recall them having the same confidence in the effectiveness of the Swingfire missile as you mentioned.

[@chrisabraham8793]

Misile system and wire communication system in one go.

[@cleanerben9636]

Going to spell it Kirkcubrick from now on!

[@jlvfr]

Damn, a thumb joystick... did some work with them, hated them. Required a great level of dexterity, and any twich/tremor would ruin the whole thing. The secret, Ifound, was _not_ to think about the finger & the joystick. Just keep your eyes on whatever you needed and let the thumb work it. If you looked *once* ..., well start again.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

Just like with the ladies...

[@nicholaspharo7056]

What is that tank with the missiles next to the ferret?

[@martingardener90]

I think it's a RCM-748 tracked Rapier missile launcher ( from the back )

[@andrewthomson137]

Being Australian of Scottish descent, I appreciate some English frankness. Cheers

[@GARDENER42]

Classic David Fletcher, complete with off the cuff remarks & put-downs. Brilliant.

[@Ubique2927]

The Ferret should now be brought back and fitted with NLAW. A magnificent vehicle.

[@SonsOfLorgar]

The NLAW has insufficient range for mounting on a vehicle, better to fit it with a javelin or spike launcher, or, even better for a recce vehicle, replace the four Swingfire launchers with two racks of 6 to 10 Switchblade drone launch tubes each.

[@barukkazhad8998]

"If you're barmy enough " 😂

[@Kefuddle]

The Action Man armoured car?

[@zednotzee7]

Indeed it is ! I remember getting one for Xmas when I was a kid. Chuffed to nuts was !

[@davewolfy2906]

Vigilant, the only British missile used by the USA ( USMC)

[@CybershamanX]

So, I think what you're trying to tell me, David, is that this thing (MKII) is bad at killing tanks. Am I understanding you correctly? It's subtle, but I _think_ that's the impression I'm getting. 😉

[@z_actual]

now that looks like a Matilda hull behind, with a boxy turret Matilda Black Prince ?

[@MediumRareOpinions]

I believe that is the Canal Defence Light. A tank fitted with an extremely bright light and a set of shutters, here is a link to a tank chat about it kzbin.info/www/bejne/bajJeIuVoL6ggZI

[@z_actual]

@@MediumRareOpinions thank you for your unfailing recall, I think that is what we were looking at

[@andrewbirch5738]

I think Israeli tank crews may disagree with David on the effectiveness of wire guided missle.... and it would be a lucky tank commander that spotted a man under cover at 1000+ meters...

[@hhale]

It's not so much the man you're looking for, it's the smoke or the slow moving missile. Once you have either of those spotted, large amounts of .50 cal machinegun fire is put in the general direction of where the smoke trail starts or the origin point of the missile. The goal isn't necessarily to kill the gunner (though that would be a nice bonus) as to force him to take cover. The missile goes out of control at that point. Since replacing missile gunners is not something you want to do everyday, an effort was made to allow for the separation of the gunner from the launch system. That's why the gunner of the Swingfire system of the Ferret had a cable allowed him to be some place else. Later you also see laser guidance systems used with other missiles, and eventually "fire and forget" systems like the Javelin.

[@Necrovamp101]

That poor Comet

[@mikegonzalez1821]

Would be great if fitted with javelins

[@josephahner3031]

More modern armored cars probably are, the US 8x8 Stryker Dragoon is but idk if that counts as an armored car or an IFV.

[@alexwilliamson1486]

“Ferret rash” if you know YOU know!

[@thomasborgsmidt9801]

Well, the idea was good enough - the execution left something to be improved upon. But it is allways like that - perfection is rarely achieved in the first attempt. The real point was that it gave the hostile tankcrews one more reason to wet their trousers.

[@nougan_gamer]

4:29 "The End of a Tank"... when it becomes obsolete and relegate to the role of target dummy, not necessary being destroyed by the this missile system, especially based on the ineffectiveness of it as explained by Sir David. 8^D

[@JohnyG29]

No, it would kill most tanks of the time.

[@martcorn]

the TOW and milan 's grandfather

[@JoeDurobot]

*The volume level is WAY TOO LOW !!! We can't hear a bloody thing !!!*

[@canuck600A]

This is the first one in ages that I have been able to understand what David Fletcher is saying.

[@wisewarnanazara317]

I start to think that may be it is a good time Mr. David Fletcher to retire. Being mentor to newer curators, historian, or being a advisor to the mitary museum.

[@michaelguerin56]

Definitely insult the Australians 🙂! You have my vote 🇳🇿!

[@ernestpaul2484]

Tank Museum if you are listening/reading these comments, please STOP with the abrupt interruptions with the internal ads as the Tank Chats are getting started and during the course of the Chats. They are annoying at the least and may become the reason new people click off the channel at the worst. Please have these requests for donations/purchases/pledges/suggestions at the end of the Chat session. I am sure those of us that are able to make a donation or purchase would be more willing to do so if the content isn't being bombarded with fast talking salesman that resembles an infomercial. Thanks for your consideration from across the pond.

[@tomdegisi]

KZbin does that, not the Tank Museum.

[@darreng745]

Get Ad Block Plus and stop the adverts entirely, and it has a white list so you can even block Google ads

[@ernestpaul2484]

@@tomdegisi You missed the point. The ads ARE NOT external ones. They are part of the Tank Museum video. The "new curator" I guess he is, guy with glasses, is pitching the Tank Museum AFTER the Chat has gone on for a few. It is disruptive and breaks up the flow of the Chat. I know about ad blockers and how they work. Thanks for the input.

[@tomdegisi]

@@ernestpaul2484 I see.

[@GeremiasVi]

+1 comment

[@thomaskroboth4483]

They were the first of its day... [ giving it a second thought ] ... although the Germans of course lmao ^^