During the last week I discovered I had a copy of the Conference held in December 1985 jointly by The Hovercraft Society and the British Association for the Advancement of Science. It was held to celebrate the first 25 years of ACV and Air Cushion development generally in the UK and was attended by Sir Christopher Cockerell. Nine Technical papers were presented in the course of an afternoon, followed by a celebratory dinner for the participants.
The programme and papers are available just now under both the open library and the Members Library. At the end of September access will be limited to members logging on to the site.
In the mid 1980’s the transition was ongoing from the aviation derived SR.N series to craft such as the AP1-88, Hovermarine SES and many small utility craft with marine based structures and diesel power rather than gas turbine.
The papers include many photos and diagrams. Here below are included a selection from the same time period giving a flavour for the craft and operations.
The HD 2 research hovercraft shown on the slipway at Hythe on the west side of Southampton Water.
Here it is under management of the National Physical Laboratory. The craft was used to test skirt systems design based around the HDL developed open loop and segment, and control via the two rotating propellers on pylons.
Left is a view of the Hoverport at Dover with casr offloading from the stern ramp of one of the SR.N4 craft while the Sedam N500 at left is about to load vehicles
Below left, a view of the Sedam N500 hovering up on the apron
Below Right, one of the Hoverlloyd SR.N4 craft at Ramsgate offloading cars while two Osprey hovercraft prepare for a run
Below, the XT432 of the Naval Hovercraft Trials Unit coming ashore at Lee on Solent
Below, The SR.N6 operating with the Canadian Coastguard ashore while on a task in the waterways to the west and north of Vancouver
Below, Two of the extensive fleet of HM2 passenger SES operated by HYF through the 1980’s between Hong Kong and the islands as well as to Macau.
Below, An HM221 on trials in the Solent before delivery to the operator Donau-Dampfschiffarts Gesellschaft
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