In praise of Hovercraft

tome

tome

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It occurred to me in the light of Ian Grant's post on the Wightlink ferries.

In nearly 30 years of sailing in the Solent, I've never once been troubled by a hovercraft. True, they come close on occasions but never worryingly so. I've had the pleasure of driving a small hovercraft and can report that it's the most unwieldy of craft. Without any fuss whatsoever, they weave their way across the Solent with consumate skill avoiding everything in their way.

For what little it's worth, I salute the professionals who skipper these craft.

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G'day Tome,

Fantastic fun to drive, I first drove on about 30 years ago and considered buying a dealership at the time, they were made by the bloke who invented the finger skirt combination for hovercraft, can't even remember his name now. (old-timers disease must be setting in)

They were small craft, 3 seater, and ripped along, nothing like getting the thing up to full speed and giving her full lock so continued in the same direction but spinning around and around, very controlled tho.

And driving up the beach direct onto a standard but largish box trailer was buzz, small craft boating with dry feet, fantastic.

I would just love to drive one of the channel ferries, what a buzz that would be, and they pay people to have that much fun....

Like you Tome, I salute the skippers and their fine safety record, well done.

Avagoodweekend.



<hr width=100% size=1> Old Salt Oz /forums/images/icons/cool.gif Growing old is unavoidable. However, growing up is still optional.
 
G'day OSO

Inventor Cockerill or Cockerell, Sir Mihael anyway

I think I'm right in say the cross English Channel hovercraft are all retired now

time passes

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Could it be they just don't create a lot of wash?

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://static.photobox.co.uk/public/images/45/99/10714599.s.jpg?ch=97&rr=16:00:39>Nirvana</A>
 
Christopher Cockerill. He died in 1999.

I think the last Cross Channel service stopped in 2000 but <A target="_blank" HREF=http://hovercraft-museum.org/>The Hovercraft Museum</A> have a couple of SRN 4's and I think, if you ask them nicely, they will let you have a look round. Amazing machines.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
Thank you

I got 2 bits right surname + end of Xchannel service.

Of course Christopher but was he not knighted?

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Yes, you're quite right; he got a knighthood. Somewhat sad story, in that, having invented the things, he became gradually ostracised from the industry and felt that the full potential of hovercraft was never realised. Also, he only made a modest living from his invention.

Typical of the way in which we treat our inventors, although I suspect he was a difficult person to get on with, as original talents often are.

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
I believe that red tape also hampered their development. They couldn't decide whether to class them as ships or aircraft and for a while at least they suffered some ludicrous restrictions (or so I'm told).

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I seem to recall that those who drove commercial (i.e. passenger) craft had to have a plane pilot's license, at least in the early days. I don't recall a man with a red flag in front, but no doubt if the government of the day had thought they could get away with it..........

<hr width=100% size=1>Je suis Marxiste - tendance Groucho
 
I'm surprised they have gone. They should have been more ambitious and had a London - Paris service. You don't need to build roads or tracks for them; just clear a swathe of land.

John

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Sort of related, and prompts me to ask - are there many hydrofoils still operating in UK? The full blown ones that is, not referring to foil assisted vessels.

Only hovercraft I have ever travelled on were the ones operated by SAS between Copenhagen and Malmo - I wonder if anyone knows if they still operate? A small sightseeing one has just gone into service here in Wellington but have not seen it yet (hope I can navigate around him /forums/images/icons/smile.gif.

John

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The first \'flight\'

they say that the newsreel of the craft coming up the beach was actually the Second time it did it ..... the first the camera wasn't ready and they shoved her back out again.

Isn't it strange that we invented it, other countries now develop it. USA / Russia all use it militarily, UK ..... last one was years ago I believe........

I remember my last trip on the Cross Channel Hover Lloyd job ..... hostess asked 'Drink sir?' .... I replied yes please - 2 beers and a straw. Guys I was joining ship with took their beers without straws .......... When the hovercraft actually got out there in channel - I was the only one to be drinking and not spilling it !!! Boy did it vibrate and shake that day ..... it was a bit rough and services after ours got in were suspended.

Another great British invention wasted ....... doomed to be history.


<hr width=100% size=1>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gps-navigator/
Posts personal opinions and maybe controversial
 
Re: The first \'flight\'

I do a fair amount of instructing out of Poole. Over the past few weeks there have been two hovercraft being tested by the RNLI up past their new HQ over the mud flats around Holes Bay. For mud and low water rescues they would seem invaluable. Did make a fair bit of noise though.

<hr width=100% size=1>Boating is <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.powerboattraininguk.co.uk>Serious Fun</A>
 
She had skirts split right up her back!

The Princess Margaret, that is.

As a lad, I went across to france to buy a load of candles in the power cuts of the 70s - I bought by first serious boat with the proceeds of that trip. Did you know, you can get 14700 candles in a 1966 MG Midget?

Anyway, on the way back we hit a massive wave which split the lady's skirt right up the back so we came back the last five miles as a surface craft.

Boy! Did she roll! On that trip the drinks service was suspended due to possible risk to the staff. You could though, at your own risk, make a personal visit to the bar.

Steve cronin



<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion
 
Re: The first \'flight\'

HM Marines operate 4 Griffon hovercraft, which they bought back in 1994.

The SAS service from Malmo stopped when the Sweden to Denmark roadbridge/tunnel link thingy was opened.

Sad to say really, but hovercraft, in the UK at least, are regarded as a solution looking for a problem.

cheers,
David

<hr width=100% size=1>What we are dealin' with here is a complete lack of respect for the law....
 
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