Swingfire Ferret
This is a Ferret Mk 5 (FV712), an amphibious derivation of the Mk 3, but equipped with a large flat turret designed to carry up to four Swingfire wire-guided anti-tank missiles in twin banks. A 7.62mm general-purpose machine-gun (GMPG) was posted between the missile banks.
The Ferret Mk 3, from which this was derived, was also called the “big wheels” Ferret. It had indeed larger-size tyres, higher ground clearance, heavier armour, flotation screens and a stronger suspension than earlier versions of the armoured car.
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s and produced from 1966 until 1993. The name refers to its ability to make a rapid turn of up to 90˚ after firing to bring it onto the line of the sighting mechanism. This meant that the launcher vehicle could be concealed and the operator, using a portable sight, placed at a distance in a more advantageous firing position.
Swingfire was developed by Fairey Engineering Ltd and the British Aircraft Corporation, together with Wallop Industries Ltd and minor subcontractors. It replaced the Vickers Vigilant missile in British service. Its design incorporated elements from its predecessor the Vigilant and the experimental Orange William missile. Swingfire saw use in both the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
This combination of missile and vehicle only served with the British Army. However, seven countries still have the missile in their inventories and 10 have the Ferret, according to Wikipedia.
The exhibit was the original Australian test vehicle and the misspelling of Kirkudbright is apparently original. Seen at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.
Swingfire Ferret
This is a Ferret Mk 5 (FV712), an amphibious derivation of the Mk 3, but equipped with a large flat turret designed to carry up to four Swingfire wire-guided anti-tank missiles in twin banks. A 7.62mm general-purpose machine-gun (GMPG) was posted between the missile banks.
The Ferret Mk 3, from which this was derived, was also called the “big wheels” Ferret. It had indeed larger-size tyres, higher ground clearance, heavier armour, flotation screens and a stronger suspension than earlier versions of the armoured car.
Swingfire was a British wire-guided anti-tank missile developed in the 1960s and produced from 1966 until 1993. The name refers to its ability to make a rapid turn of up to 90˚ after firing to bring it onto the line of the sighting mechanism. This meant that the launcher vehicle could be concealed and the operator, using a portable sight, placed at a distance in a more advantageous firing position.
Swingfire was developed by Fairey Engineering Ltd and the British Aircraft Corporation, together with Wallop Industries Ltd and minor subcontractors. It replaced the Vickers Vigilant missile in British service. Its design incorporated elements from its predecessor the Vigilant and the experimental Orange William missile. Swingfire saw use in both the 1991 Gulf War and the 2003 Iraq War.
This combination of missile and vehicle only served with the British Army. However, seven countries still have the missile in their inventories and 10 have the Ferret, according to Wikipedia.
The exhibit was the original Australian test vehicle and the misspelling of Kirkudbright is apparently original. Seen at the Tank Museum in Bovington, Dorset.