(Update 11/11/2024 Sorry if a few image thumbnails and galleries are a bit buggy, I'm updating the coding at the moment - James)
A series of flights over the weekend of 1st October 2000 saw the end of the cross channel hovercraft. The events leading up to the final flight were watched by hundreds of onlookers, and each flight was fully booked on the last weekend. This showed the interest and amazement of people who came from all over the world at the unique invention and its Dover to Calais heritage. Unfortunately, SRN4s in their ageing became too expensive to run and maintain, with most parts having to be manufactured on-site at Dover following the closure of BHC many years previously. Rolls-Royce had agreed to support the Proteus engines beyond 2000, but the rest of the craft's systems were primarily Hoverspeed's responsibility.
You can view corresponding videos of these events in the SRN4 Last Days videos pages.
Starting Engine 1, Engine 4 already started and skirt filling
Full power, taxiing to spin around and out onto the water
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) arriving behind The Princess Anne (GH-2006) at Calais
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) arriving behind The Princess Anne (GH-2006) at Calais
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) arriving at Calais
In the flight-deck of The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) during a pirhouette departure from Calais
In the flight-deck of The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) during a pirhouette departure from Calais
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) arrives at Dover
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) arrives at Dover
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) arrives at Dover
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) arriving at Dover
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) landed at Dover
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) landed at Calais
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) arriving at Dover past the Prince of Wales Pier
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) departing Dover Hoverport, down the Ramp
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) departing Dover
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) departing Dover
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) approaching Calais hoverport
The Princess Margaret (GH-2007) taxiing at Calais hoverport
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) ready to depart Calais hoverport
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) turns to the sea
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) descending the ramp at Calais
The Princess Anne (GH-2006) leaving Calais hoverport behind The Princess Margaret (GH-2007)
Page updated: 13 September, 2014