Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 7:21 pm Post subject: Hovercrafts

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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Rick (OCC Admin)
Various 1920s-1960s - Austin, Morris, Commer, Dodge etc.

47Jag · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:06 pm Post subject:

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

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 6177 Location: Edinburgh

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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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2½ litre saloon

Dipster · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:24 pm Post subject:

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.

norustplease · Joined: 11 Apr 2011 Posts: 610 Location: Lancashire

Only went on once, one of the big car carrying ones.
Very fast, but quite a rough ride, I remember.
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1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1986 Renault 4
1990 Citroen 2CV
Boring Fiat 500X

Rick · Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:32 pm Post subject:

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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Rick (OCC Admin)
Various 1920s-1960s - Austin, Morris, Commer, Dodge etc.

Miken · Joined: 24 Dec 2012 Posts: 273

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!

badhuis · Joined: 20 Aug 2008 Posts: 1112 Location: Netherlands

Inglewood · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:13 pm Post subject:

Yes, the Southsea/Portsmouth Hovercraft is still working.

nascar24 · Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Sunny Devon!