The History Book Club discussion

This is a thread to discuss the "history of hovercrafts".

A history of the hovercraft, which is newer than I thought it was.....designed in 1959.

The Hovercraft: A History

by Ashley Hollebone (no photo)

Synopsis:

Revealing the development of the multi-faceted hovercraft and its many roles, from racing and leisure to travel and rescue The hovercraft was first created in 1959, when Sir Christopher Cockerell came up with a prototype that crossed the English Channel. The SRN1, the first ever hovercraft, is now proudly housed by the Science Museum and this invention enjoys an active role in many arenas. This detailed book delves into the craft's history, from the early days of its development through to its commercial and military applications. It looks into the exciting world of hovercraft leisure, cruising and racing from amateur to Formula 1, and also explores the important role the hovercraft plays in rescues, whether on water or delivering aid around the word in places that helicopters can’t reach. Finally, it details the types of hovercraft in use today, and what the future holds.

This book is part of the Amazing Vehicles series.

Hovercraft

by Sarah Tieck(no photo)

Synopsis:

Looks at hovercraft, examining how they work, the parts they have, how they are used, and some of their history.

Discover the Hovercraft

by Kevin Jackson(no photo)

Synopsis:

'Discover the Hovercraft' takes you on a tour of the Hovercraft's secret world. Learn about the early days of cushion craft, modern day Hovercraft designs and try experiments to see the Hovercraft principle in action Model Hovercraft designer Kevin Jackson takes you on a tour of the Hovercraft's secret world. Tracing the history of this extraordinary craft through early ideas and designs to modern craft. Try your own experiments and demonstrate the Hovercraft principle by building and using the momentum curtain Hovercraft testbed described in this book. Discover the designs used for racing and large heavy lift craft as well as other applications of the Hovercraft principle. Find out about the design of the Hovercraft skirt, engines used to power the craft, and how lift and thrust are created. Learn how and where Hovercraft have been put to use all over the world in civil and military applications.

For those of you unfamiliar with hovercrafts:

Youtube Video: Naked Science

Link: https://youtu.be/1sDMOa5jqHA

This machine breaks all the rules, it can penetrate some of the toughest terrains on earth, over land, over water, from the polar ice, to the rapids of the Amazon. This is the ultimate frictionless floating machine, the incredible hovercraft.

A hovercraft, also known as an air-cushion vehicle or ACV, is a craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud or ice and other surfaces. Hovercraft are hybrid vessels operated by a pilot as an aircraft rather than a captain as a marine vessel.

Hovercraft use blowers to produce a large volume of air below the hull that is slightly above atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the higher pressure air below the hull and lower pressure ambient air above it produces lift, which causes the hull to float above the running surface.

For stability reasons, the air is typically blown through slots or holes around the outside of a disk or oval shaped platform, giving most hovercraft a characteristic rounded-rectangle shape. Typically this cushion is contained within a flexible "skirt", which allows the vehicle to travel over small obstructions without damage.

The first practical design for hovercraft derived from a British invention in the 1950s to 1960s. They are now used throughout the world as specialised transports in disaster relief, coastguard, military and survey applications as well as for sport or passenger service. Very large versions have been used to transport hundreds of people and vehicles across the English Channel whilst others have military applications used to transport tanks, soldiers and large equipment in hostile environments and terrain.

And here is one:

Hovercrafts

by Aaron Sautter (no photo)

Synopsis:

Fire up a hovercraft and sail right over land, water, and everything in between. Find out how these powerful vehicles hover up to 9 feet above almost any surface. From rugged off-road racing to daring ocean rescue missions, the action never stops!