Tag Archives: hovercraft

Hovercraft Museum

wpid7796-C59F8015.jpgPete and I had another detour after visiting Portsmouth.  Just along the coast is Lee-On-Solent which used to be a Naval airfield and now is used for a variety of other things.  One is a museum of hovercraft.  They have quite a collection which I would like to see one day and Pete has taken a look at.  They include two Super 4 hovercraft that used to ply their trade across the English Channel taking people and their cars on their way.  We used this en route to France a long time ago.  Now they are retired and part of the museum collection.

wpid7798-C59F8026.jpgThey are not alone with a number of other hovercraft stored alongside them, some of which look like they might be ones I have used on my travels as well.  A quick chat to the tower, a healthy eye out for the glider operations and we were clear to do a quick orbit and get some shots.  Very nice.

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Boats from Above

wpid7752-C59F7500.jpgContinuing with the round the Island flight that Pete and I took, we ended up having a bit of a maritime excursion.  It seems that anyone with a boat was out waiting for us, whatever form those boats took.  As we reached Yarmouth, the Wightlink ferry was arriving so I got a shot of it.  As we reached Cowes, the Red Funnel ferry was coming out so we got it too.  Just off Cowes, the paddle steamer Waverly was blasting along (she really can move) so an orbit of her was required.

wpid7760-C59F7714.jpgOn to Fishbourne and two more Wightlink ferries.  One was just departing and the other just arriving.  They have to turn around at this point so a little dance ensues as seen from above.  Then it was on to Ryde and there we get a hovercraft making its arrival.  None of this was planned so I guess we were just on a lucky roll.  Then, as we headed across to Portsmouth, the catamaran from Ryde was on its way so we got a shot of that too.  I guess that is a full set for access to the Island!

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Hovercraft Reminiscences

Having taken the chance to shoot one of the LCACs while in San Diego the other week, I decided to have a trip down memory lane for some other hovercraft moments. I have some relatively recent shots of the hovercraft that operate between Ryde and Southsea. I also have some old scans of the massive SRN4 Super 4 hovercraft that used to run across the English Channel taken when I was about to make the crossing on vacation. No great explanations to follow. Just some shots if you want a look.