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Hovercrafts
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 7:21 pm    Post subject: Hovercrafts Reply with quote

Hi all,

The subject came up in 2007 as a thread, so it's probably time to re-visit the subject. Has anyone here been on a hovercraft, as a passenger or perhaps as a captain????? The cross-channel machines looked like a giggle to have a ride in I have to say.

The museum on the south coast is worth a visit, judging by accounts I've read elsewhere.

RJ


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47Jag



Joined: 26 Jun 2008
Posts: 1480
Location: Bothwell, Scotland

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rick,

I sailed/hovered/flew in the cross channel one. My abiding memory was of the noise and the inability to see anything because of the spray. It was a quick crossing though.

Art
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peter scott



Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7113
Location: Edinburgh

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I've taken a car over the Channel on the hovercraft. Same comments as Art. I thought it was a good service.

Peter
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Dipster



Joined: 06 Jan 2015
Posts: 408
Location: UK, France and Portugal - unless I am travelling....

PostPosted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

When I worked in France I used the cross channel service many times using, as I recall, two different sizes of craft. I only did so when the ferries were not available as I found them noisy, the smaller models cramped and really doubted that any would be a long term success. I think I may have been right on that.
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norustplease



Joined: 11 Apr 2011
Posts: 779
Location: Lancashire

PostPosted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 2:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Only went on once, one of the big car carrying ones.
Very fast, but quite a rough ride, I remember.
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Rick
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Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22429
Location: UK

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There was a great 15 minute film by the British Hovercraft Corporation on Talking Pictures recently, featuring the introduction of the SRN4s to the cross-channel services. It's worth looking out for in case they repeat it.

RJ
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Miken



Joined: 24 Dec 2012
Posts: 544

PostPosted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just before the cross channel service closed they were offering return trips for 5 pounds . you couldn't leave the terminal at the French side and had to come straight back. I went across with my family just for the experience.
It was like being on a noisy aeroplane belting down a very long bumpy runway. I kept thinking that any moment now the pilot will pull back the stick and we'll be off!
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badhuis



Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1390
Location: Netherlands

PostPosted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Miken wrote:
It was like being on a noisy aeroplane belting down a very long bumpy runway.

Yes, that descibes it very good. Instead of "air cushioned above the waters" it was not smooth at all. Was a very interesting experience though.
Is the hovercraft to the Isle Of Wight still going? It was a couple of years ago (no cars admitted).
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Inglewood



Joined: 28 Dec 2010
Posts: 183
Location: Stone, Staffordshire

PostPosted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, the Southsea/Portsmouth Hovercraft is still working.
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nascar24



Joined: 08 Dec 2007
Posts: 26
Location: Sunny Newton Abbot!

PostPosted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 9:42 am    Post subject: Re: Hovercrafts Reply with quote

Rick wrote:
Hi all,

The subject came up in 2007 as a thread, so it's probably time to re-visit the subject. Has anyone here been on a hovercraft, as a passenger or perhaps as a captain????? The cross-channel machines looked like a giggle to have a ride in I have to say.

The museum on the south coast is worth a visit, judging by accounts I've read elsewhere.

RJ


I have another photo i must upload it, the lady is my mum now ninety six with dementia unfortunately but she recognises the photo.
Alan
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