Warwick and the team at the Hovercraft Museum Trust, in Gosport, Hampshire (UK) have very kindly allowed me to host some of their incredible collection, with rare if not single copies of photographs far back into hovercraft history. Over 2,000 images in this amazing selection of galleries!!
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Rob Edgcumbe took these splendid photos of AP1-88 hovercraft Freedom 90 and Island Express during a trip to Ryde, including some unique aerial photos of their operating from the hoverport taken from a light aircraft flight from nearly Sandown.
The propeller which Hoverspeed used as a "gate guardian" was preserved when the hoverport was demolished (see here) and thankfully transported to be put on, hopefully permanent, display at the Dover Western Docks international cruise terminal. At the moment it stands alone without a plaque to explain its relevance - hopefully this will change one day - we live in hope. (Photos: Mark Leiper)
1977/1978. SRN4 "Sure" hit a log in the English Channel and was forced to divert to Broadstairs with 30ft of cushion missing (starboard rear corner). This picture was taken at 6.30 am when, having refuelled, she finally crawled the short distance back to Pegwell Bay for repairs and return to service, her starboard rear corner barely off the ground. Mark Rushton
This is the world's first Human Powered hovercraft, a project by University College London. Here seen at the Hovercraft Museum's August 2011 open day.
The Model Hovercraft Association (GB) was present at the 2011 August open day of the Hovercraft Museum
SRN2 in operations with Hovertransport, Ltd., between 1963 and 1964 between Eastney (near Southsea) and Ryde. E Dunn/H Mabel Smith
Sad end for the VA3 first passenger service - the hovercraft sank off Ryde sands shortly after the merger of Saunders Roe and Vickers to make BHC. Explosives weren’t enough so sinking with axes and manpower eventually got the craft submerged (W Jacobs).
Mr Lloyd-Jones kindly sent me material from his trip on the Vickers VA-3, the "World's First Hovercoach" between Wallasey and Rhyl in 1962, includes a certificate of taking a flight with British United Airways, a promotional flyer about the service, and a photograph of the craft in action on the beach
Ernie Dunn, draughtsman at Vosper Thornycroft, Portchester, has sent these photos of the craft during a refit in Jan/Feb 1981
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Malcolm Hole sends his amazing shots of hovercraft used for work he was involved in from the Larsen B ice shelf in Antarctica in 1987 with a team from the BAS, including his recollection of his time there
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Pat kindly sent me tonnes of great photographs of many various hovercraft over many various roles, including the HM-2, SRN's 1 thru 6, and the BH-7. Check out his gallery page for more photos
