An interesting explanation of the technology. I remember they used to be nicknamed the Noisy Ladies or the Horrorcraft! The full commercial potential of the hovercraft was never realised. Those SRN4s were the first and last that ever carried passengers and their cars across the Channel. More economical diesel powered versions were on the drawing board in the 1980s but didn't come to fruition. Along with Concorde, a great British transport invention that was allowed to die. What a shame.
I first met Nic Rose in 2012 in his capacity as a hovercraft pilot for Hovertravel flying the route between Ryde and Southsea. In 2017 I joined Hovertravel as an apprentice and this August I celebrate 3 years of service with the company I work as a cashier. Nic is a lovely man very intelligent and when I had conversations with him he would always find time to talk to me about his days driving the mighty N4 on the channel
I'm surprised these amazing machines became so uncompetitive with the advent of the Chunnel. In terms of time, i.e. drive car on, cross channel, drive car off, that seems incredibly time efficient to me.
Bmw driver you could lie on the ground and she would FLOAT over you without hurting you! She rides on a cushion of air, 2-3 metres above the ground! Ive seen someone do this to prove it was possible, just a bit windy!
Dirty Alex I know the Captain featured in this film Nic Rose after Hoverspeed he flew for Hovertravel on the Isle of Wight a company for which I now work for as a cashier, he retired with Hovertravel in October 2012 and I have been with the company since 4th August 2017
Should NEVER have been retired, replaced by awful Seacats! Then Hoverspeed folded!! I was lucky enough to do a crossing in the pilots cabin, one of the best days of my life.
What the managing director would have to say to the captain for chasing a 306 and scare the fishermen? You can see all the cars leaving by the front bow ramp in thlis advert. In reality, cars would board trough the front, and leave by the rear on arrival. In reality, that SRN4 wouldn't start that quick like it did in the advert (how fast can you close the bow ramps and start the engines?)!
Traveled with the hovercraft in December 1996. It was a great experience
An interesting explanation of the technology. I remember they used to be nicknamed the Noisy Ladies or the Horrorcraft! The full commercial potential of the hovercraft was never realised. Those SRN4s were the first and last that ever carried passengers and their cars across the Channel. More economical diesel powered versions were on the drawing board in the 1980s but didn't come to fruition. Along with Concorde, a great British transport invention that was allowed to die. What a shame.
The narration sounds like he’s constipated...
No just American
I first met Nic Rose in 2012 in his capacity as a hovercraft pilot for Hovertravel flying the route between Ryde and Southsea. In 2017 I joined Hovertravel as an apprentice and this August I celebrate 3 years of service with the company I work as a cashier. Nic is a lovely man very intelligent and when I had conversations with him he would always find time to talk to me about his days driving the mighty N4 on the channel
The 70s & 80s 12inch collection That’s probably why he’s constipated.
I'm surprised these amazing machines became so uncompetitive with the advent of the Chunnel. In terms of time, i.e. drive car on, cross channel, drive car off, that seems incredibly time efficient to me.
I went on the Princess Ann hovercraft in the 80s with my late Dad and Mum x
Miss the hovercraft
I took a trip on one of these back in the mid 1970’s from Dover to Calais and then from Calais to Dover. Fun times !
These fuel costs sound quite reasonable compared to nowadays, I guess the Seacat per head costs are better?
Who ever had the engine can we have them back they even has the apt
Ohhh c'est un tres froid jour!!!
That scared the crap out of me when she came towards the camera on the floor.
Bmw driver you could lie on the ground and she would FLOAT over you without hurting you! She rides on a cushion of air, 2-3 metres above the ground! Ive seen someone do this to prove it was possible, just a bit windy!
"..weighs as much as 250 seaplanes.." What an utterly stupid bit of narration. [aerospace engineer]
Yes I agree how can anyone associate to that!? Why they did not use 220 family saloon cars or x number of large lorries....
Dirty Alex I know the Captain featured in this film Nic Rose after Hoverspeed he flew for Hovertravel on the Isle of Wight a company for which I now work for as a cashier, he retired with Hovertravel in October 2012 and I have been with the company since 4th August 2017
Qui est l'artiste de la musique de fond?
Should NEVER have been retired, replaced by awful Seacats! Then Hoverspeed folded!! I was lucky enough to do a crossing in the pilots cabin, one of the best days of my life.
2.5 tonnes of fuel per crossing isnt that bad!
What the managing director would have to say to the captain for chasing a 306 and scare the fishermen? You can see all the cars leaving by the front bow ramp in thlis advert. In reality, cars would board trough the front, and leave by the rear on arrival. In reality, that SRN4 wouldn't start that quick like it did in the advert (how fast can you close the bow ramps and start the engines?)!