FV712 Ferret Mk 5 Swingfire Update:Done. done!
FV712 Ferret Mk 5 SwingfireFact [1]:
The Daimler Ferret was, basically, a modernised version of their WW2 Dingo. It shared many similarities such as the H-form drive train helping it keep a low silhouette while keeping sufficient ground clearance. Between a better power-to-weight ratio and longer wheelbase, the Ferret was clearly superior to the Dingo in terms of speed and mobility on all terrains.
The Ferret Mk 1, like the Dingo, lacked a turret and was primarily used as a liaison vehicle with a crew of 3. The Mk 2 introduced a six-faceted turret, raising the position of the commander and protecting him while providing a 0.30 calibre Browning machine gun. The third crew man was eliminated but the vehicle’s performance gained in efficiency allowing it to effectively fill the scouting role. Then came the Ferret Mk 3 which, notably, had much larger (11x20 inch) wheels for better mobility on soft ground. However, this turretless design never went into production. The Mk 4 had the same ‘big wheels’ as the Mk3 and bigger brakes (a concern of the earlier Mk1-2), a flotation screen for amphibious operations and the same 6-sided turret as the Mk2.
The Ferret Mk 5 was a late production vehicle which incorporated the best features of the Mk3 and Mk4 but with a new turret ring and a brand new, much larger but light-weight aluminium turret – the first British vehicle to utilise this material in AFV design. The turret, housed and was capable of firing four Swingfire Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) whilst keeping a 7.62mm GPMG for close combat. The missiles were placed in on a traversing cradle with hydraulic drive for elevation. A notable capability of the design was that the missiles could be remotely launched. The crew could dismount the vehicle, adopting a dominant ambush position for better view, and launch the missiles via the portable aiming and control unit whilst the launcher (and any associated back-blast) remained hidden from view. The Ferret Mk 5 entered service in 1969 as the FV712 and was intended to give light reconnaissance units extra capabilities in case of encounters with enemy tanks.
FV712 Ferret Mk 5 Swingfire:
In Service: 1975-1993
Mass: 5,894 Kg
Length: 4.140 m
Width: 2.159 m
Height: 2.134 m
Crew: 2
Main
armament: 4 x Swingfire ATGM (plus 2 x spare)
Secondary
armament: 7.62mm L37A2 machine gun
Engine: Rolls-Royce B60 Mk 6A, 6-cylinder, 4.26ltr, petrol – 130hp
Speed: 58mph (93km/h)
Range: 250mls (400km)
Firing from cover was made possible by the unique nature of the Swingfire missile’s vectored thrust which allowed the missile to make a near 90-degree turn straight after launch and its wire command link. Produced from 1966-1993, Swingfire remained in service longer than most ATGMs – proving the efficiency of the concept. Swingfire entered operational service in 1969 and was constantly upgraded to remain relevant over the years.
Swingfire ATGM:
In Service: 1969-1993
Mass: 27 Kg
Length: 1.07 m
Diameter: 0.170 m
Wing Span: 0.39 m
Warhead: 7 Kg HEAT
Speed: 185 m/s
Range: 150 – 4,000 m
Guidance: Wire-guided (MCLOS) and later SACLOS
Fiction [2]:
With the failure of the FV720 Fox program in the early 1970s and the decision to adopts the FV608 Scarab in its place for the Territorial Army’s (TA) recce formations, the Regular Army’s FV712 Ferret Mk 5 Swingfires were also repurposed to the TA as they, in turn, were being replaced by the FV102 Striker CVR(T). Within the TA, four yeomanry regiments eventually converted to the Scarab/Ferret Mk 5 combo in the armoured reconnaissance role:
Queen’s Own Yeomanry (5 x Squadrons) - 15th TA Bde, 2 UK Infantry Division in support of BAOR.
The Royal Yeomanry (5 x Squadrons) - 49th TA Bde, 2 UK Infantry Division in support of BAOR.
The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Yeomanry (4 x Squadrons) - 2 Inf Bde, Home Defence
The Scottish Yeomanry (4 x Squadrons) - 1 Bn, 51 (Highland) Inf Bde in support of 4 Arm Div, BAOR, and Home Defence.
The yeomanry regiments comprised of 4-5 squadrons each of 12 x Scarab, 4 x Ferret Mk 5 (Swingfire), and 4 x Saracen APC split between 4 x recce troops, an anti-tank troop, and a squadron HQ of 1 x Saracen CPV, 1 x Ferret Mk 4 and 1 x Saracen ambulance. Tactically, the 4 vehicles of the Anti-Tank Troop did not operate independently but were task organised to provide overwatch support for the 4 recce troops.
It is possible that, like the FV608 Scarab it served alongside, the FV712 Ferret Mk 5 Swingfire may have served longer were it not for the end of the Cold War and the subsequent peace dividends that slashed the size of the British Army.
The model depicts the third vehicle of 5 (Anti-Tank) Troop, B Squadron, The Scottish Yeomanry in support of 1st Bn, 51 (Highland) Inf Bde during Ex LIONHEART 84. With its sporting performance and callsign of 53, it didn’t take long for this particular vehicle to gain the name ‘Herbie’. Construction is from a combination of an Airfix Ferret Mk2, quite a lot of home-grown 3D prints, some repurposed wheels from Cult3d.com, some plastic card, some parts from the spares box, some carbon fibre rod, and some home-grown decals.
References:
1. Extracted from tank-afv.com – Daimler Ferret Swingfire page.
2. Extracted from my Saladin R (FV608 Scarab) backstory.
