The Ferret Scout Car , was developed by the British Army in the late 1940s and came into production in the 1950s. The Ferret first saw service in the British Army in 1952, and a little later in Australia. There were many series and Marks of the Ferret. In Australia two were primarily used. The Mark1, which had no turret and a crew of three, and the Mark2, with a turret and a crew of two. The Australian Army used the Ferrets as scout cars until the 1960s, they were disposed of by public auction in the early 1970s. The Ferret is a light armoured car, intended for light reconnaissance work, they are very mobile and were well suited to their role. The vehicle was designed by Daimler, as a further development on the successful Daimler Dingo of WW2. The Ferret is fully armoured and the standard model of the Ferret Mk2 was further strengthened shortly after its design and became the Mk2/3 (this is the usual model referred as the Mk2). The motor was Roll Royce B60 motor, giving the vehicle a power to weight ratio of 29.35 break horse power per tonne, the vehicle weighs 3.6 tonnes, although a combat weight would be 4.3 tonnes. It is four wheel drive, constant, and has a top speed of 93 k.p.h. (approx 50 m.p.h.). Fuel consumption is only about 34 litres per kilometer. The Ferret is 3.8 metres long by 1.9 metres wide and is 1.9 metres high, not including radio aerials. The ground clearance is .33 of a metre and the track width is 1.5 metres.Ferret Scout Car - B60 No 1 Mk 6A transmission assembly incorporating engine, fluid coupling, gear box and transfer box.Engine Number 12993 List Number 35418 Modification plate marked to Mod 3. ferret scout car, transmission

Albert Richardson was born on 22nd. June, 1902 to George Albert Richardson and Catherine Agnes (nee Flynn). He married Mavis Irene Yarwood on 23rd. December, 1931. Albert Richardson's childhood activities in Duncan Street, Long Gully, were influenced strongly by the occupation of his father and grandfather, both of whom were engine drivers on the Bendigo field. Albert had his own model goldmine, complete with poppet head, baling tanks etc and was up and ready to start work with the sound of the 7 a.m. mine whistles. Albert spent a short time working as a motor mechanic and then took up0 welling insurance with T & G. However, his heart was with the mines and he worked daytimes with T. & G. and then took off to learn engine driving with night shift in one of the mines. He gained his engine drivers' ticket in 1938 and began work at the Nell Gwynne. His longest work time was at the North Nell but he also had shorter spells at other mines. His leter work years were spent at John Brown, from where he retired in 1968. Albert had a deep regard for the working man and worked for many years in the position of Secretary at the Trades Hall, Bendigo. (adapted from biography in BHS Collection, written by I. Hendry, 1972) The Bendigo Historical Society holds a wide range of Bendigo mining records researched and written by Mr. Albert Richardson. He was President of the Bendigo Branch of the Royal Historical Society of Victoria from 1969 to 1971.When he joined the Bendigo Branch in 1966 he began compiling a history of the Bendigo mines. He spent many long hours researching at the Bendigo Mines Department, summarising mine records. He gathered relevant mining material wherever it could be obtained. He devoted most of his spare time and energy to the Society, conducting tours of the goldfields, writing articles and presenting talks to various organisations. His first and foremost interest lay in Victoria Hill. He examined mining reports and early newspaper articles to document its history. He envisaged the once fabulously rich hill as becoming a tourist attraction and campaigned vigorously to achieve this. In 1971 his dream was realised, when, with the help of South Bendigo Rotary Club 'The Hill' was cleaned up and historical site4s sign-posted. In 1972 the Bendigo Trust produced a booklet on Victoria Hill. Albert Richardson is acknowledged as the person ' on whose work and writings the text of this booklet has been based' The park adjoining Victoria Hill was named the Albert Richardson Reserve in his honour. Four newspaper clippings on mining, focusing on Albert Richardson's life; his passion for mining history and more generally, the work of engine drivers on the Bendigo goldfield. Clippings taken from the 'Bendigo Weekly' 2016, dated September 29 'Learner Drivers' , October 7 'Becoming qualified', October 14 'Steam power in his veins' and November 11 ' Victoria Hill over the decades'. All articles written by James Lerk in a series titled 'Discover Bendigo'. albert richardson, engine driver, mining, bendigo, boiler, engine room, mining cage, albert richardson reserve, victoria hill, george ellis, south bendigo rotary club

Horizontal cylinder oil engine in working condition. Mounted on a steel and timber chassis with 4 wrought iron wheels. Axles are fixed to timber spacer beams. Two flywheels. Cylindrical cooling water tank, cast iron exhaust system and vertical exhaust pipe mounted at crankshaft end. Engine painted dark green, crankshaft balance weights red, flywheels black, cooling water tank black. Oval brass plate on cylinder - "The "Blackstone" / Carter's Patent / 92393 / Quote This No. / When Ordering Parts / Oil Engine". Brass plate on engine frame - "British Patents / Nos. 19640-02 / 24611-03" Oval brass plate on Balance weight guard - "The "Blackstone" Oil Engine / Clutterbuck Bros / Adelaide / South Australia". engines .... horizontal cylinder ....oil engine, machinery - engines, oil