Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The first passenger-carrying hovercraft to enter service was the Vickers VA-3, which, in the summer of 1962, carried passengers regularly along the north Wales coast from Moreton, Merseyside, to Rhyl. It was powered by two turboprop aero-engines and driven by propellers. [31]
While the SR.N2 and SR.N5s operated in commercial service as trials craft, the SR.N6 has the distinction of being the first production hovercraft to enter commercial service. In comparison to the SR.N5, the SR.N6 was stretched in length, providing more than double the seating capacity.
Hovertravel is now the world's oldest hovercraft operator, [1] and this service is believed to be unique in western Europe. [2] Hovertravel describes itself as "the world's only year-round passenger hovercraft service" [3] (although there is a regular winter-only operator in Estonia [4]).
SR.N1. The Saunders-Roe SR.N1 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 1) was the first practical hovercraft.The concept has its origins in the work of British engineer and inventor Christopher Cockerell, who succeeded in convincing figures within the services and industry, including those within British manufacturer Saunders-Roe. [1]
These included the SR.N4, a large cross-Channel ferry capable of seating up to 418 passengers along with 60 cars, and the SR.N5, the first commercially active hovercraft. [ 2 ] The origins of Hoverlloyd can be traced back to a decision made by Swedish Lloyd shipping company in 1964 to investigate the possibility of operating a hovercraft ...
British hovercraft operator Hovertravel procured a pair of AP1-88-100s for conducting scheduled passenger service. [14] However, the company found that the vehicles lacked the power to operate in the presence of strong headwinds, alleging that the type would be unable traverse the intended route at winds in excess of 30 knots and that engine ...
SR.N1 ("Saunders Roe Nautical 1"): First modern hovercraft; SR.N2 First to operate a commercial service; SR.N3 First designed for military use; SR.N4 or Mountbatten class – large 4 prop ferry; SR.N5 Also Bell SK-5, as PACV used in Vietnam; SR.N6 Longer SR.N5 38 passengers; Aircraft carrier Surface Effect Ship (SES) [10] [11] [12] [13]
Hoverspeed was a ferry company that operated on the English Channel from 1981 until 2005. It was formed in 1981 by the merger of Seaspeed and Hoverlloyd.Its last owners were Sea Containers; the company ran a small fleet of two high-speed SeaCat catamaran ferries in its final year.