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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 21546 Location: UK
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 7:21 pm Post subject: Hovercrafts |
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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
 _________________ Rick (OCC Admin)
Various 1920s-1960s - Austin, Morris, Commer, Dodge etc. |
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47Jag
Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 1480 Location: Bothwell, Scotland
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:06 pm Post subject: |
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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: 6436 Location: Edinburgh
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, I've taken a car over the Channel on the hovercraft. Same comments as Art. I thought it was a good service.
Peter _________________ http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2½ litre saloon |
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Dipster
Joined: 06 Jan 2015 Posts: 408 Location: UK, France and Portugal - unless I am travelling....
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Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2016 11:24 pm Post subject: |
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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: 647 Location: Lancashire
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2016 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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Only went on once, one of the big car carrying ones.
Very fast, but quite a rough ride, I remember. _________________ 1953 Citroen Traction
1964 Volvo PV544
1986 Renault 4
1990 Citroen 2CV
Boring Fiat 500X |
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Rick Site Admin

Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 21546 Location: UK
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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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 _________________ Rick (OCC Admin)
Various 1920s-1960s - Austin, Morris, Commer, Dodge etc. |
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Miken
Joined: 24 Dec 2012 Posts: 348
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2018 6:56 pm Post subject: |
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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: 1177 Location: Netherlands
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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 9:41 am Post subject: |
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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). _________________ a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
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Inglewood

Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 181 Location: Stone, Staffordshire
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Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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Yes, the Southsea/Portsmouth Hovercraft is still working. |
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nascar24
Joined: 08 Dec 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Sunny Devon!
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Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2018 9:42 am Post subject: Re: Hovercrafts |
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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
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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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