XW255 (Yard No. 001)
The only Royal Navy Hovercraft left

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BH.7 Mk 2 Wellington Class
Designer / Manufacturer: British Hovercraft Corporation
Built at Woolston / East Cowes: 1967 (the prototype BH.7 Mk 1)

Dimensions & Performance

Length: 77 ft
Width: 45 ft 6 ins
Weight: 48 tons
Height on landing pads: 33 ft

Hover height: 5 ft 6 ins
Bow door: 13 ft 9 ins x 7 ft 10 ins
Headroom at centreline: 7 ft 10 ins
Integrated Lift and propulsion: Rolls Royce / BS Marine Proteus 15M / 541 gas turbine 4,250 shp at 15ºc
Generators powered by 2 Rover IS90 gas turbine APUs
Accommodation: Cabin crew of 3, payload up to 14 tons
The model could accommodate up to 152 fully-equipped troops or combination of troops, vehicles, equipment and stores but this particular BH.7 contained provision for the crew to live on board for several days
Special Equipment: Fitted with MCM Sonar
Fully-amphibious
Maximum speed: 65 knots
Endurance: 11 hours

(See main BH.7 Page for further technical details and pictures of the craft in service)

History

The BH.7 was designed as a rugged, reliable, high-performance military vehicle. It was used extensively as a trials evaluation craft prior to entering into service with the Interservice Hovercraft Unit on 28th September 1970. In early 1972 the craft was subjected to an intensive cold weather trials programme in Sweden during the course of which it achieved speeds of over 70 knots over ice in the Gulf of Bothnia. During this trip the BH.7 covered 1,000 miles which was the longest journey undertaken by a hovercraft at that time.

The BH.7 was subsequently fitted with a redesigned bow incorporating an hydraulically operated clamshell bow door and ramp to allow the loading of vehicles on to the main deck.

Although a high speed craft the BH.7 was also a good seakeeper with a comfortable ride. It's inherent amphibious qualities gave it extreme freedom of operation as it was not dependent on ports, harbours or deep water. It could be deployed and camouflaged on any suitable beach and with a reaction time of 2 minutes it was superior to anything of it's day. It could operate over any terrain and deliver troops 'dry' onto many beaches otherwise considered inaccessible. The high speed, lack of surface penetration, low magnetic and underwater acoustic signature made it almost immune from damage by torpedoes, mines or other underwater weapons, rendering it an ideal mine countermeasures vessel. All these uses were developed using the prototype craft which now belongs to the Museum. The BH.7 was also used as a fishery protection vessel and it was used for a time patrolling the one way system in the English Channel.

In 1978 it was used as a mine counter measure vessel, both for sweeping and detection and during this incarnation it was fitted with MCM Sonar, Plessey type 193. The prominent 'chimney' on the BH.7 Mk 2 houses the sonar head which can be lowered for detection and raised for rapid transit. The craft last flew in October 1983.

There were a further six BH.7s produced, all of which went in to service with the Imperial Iranian Navy, where, although they operated in high ambient temperatures, they achieved block speeds in excess of 50 knots and maximum speeds approaching 70 knots, thus demonstrating the extreme versatility of this craft. The Iranian craft were used very effectively in the amphibious assault role and have even acted as helicopter refuelling craft. Two of these craft were externally identical to the prototype, though being designated as Mk 4 and the other four, Mk 5s, had a narrower superstructure and flat side decks for housing the missile launchers. Following the overthrow of the Shah of Iran there was a trade embargo which prohibited further sales to Iran and effectively halted the production of this craft.

Special Features

Heritage Value

This is the only British Royal Navy BH.7 and the only one built for the U.K. The BH.7 is unique in this country and it also demonstrates significant military advances in the use of hovercraft. The craft is also the only large British Military hovercraft left in existence.

It's use as a mine counter measures vessel, as a landing craft for both vehicles and personnel and it's ability to traverse all types of terrain, including ice, make it very significant in terms of military history.

It is possible to demonstrate much of it's history through videos and other material but the size and structure of the craft cannot be appreciated without conserving the whole thing.

Approach to Conservation

This craft was donated to the museum minus it's engine and working parts (which had been removed by Hoverspeed for use on SR.N4s). It's working life can be adequately demonstrated through videos and photographs and there would be no particular merit in restoring it to working order, which would be extremely expensive. A surplus engine and working parts are eventually likely to become available ex SR.N4 craft at Dover.

The BH.7 was used for a number of military roles and it should be restored to static condition demonstrating one of these roles; perhaps disgorging vehicles & troops in a simulated landing.

Through it's working life BH.7 underwent many changes. It is mainly constructed of corrosion resistant light alloy but extensive use of glass reinforced plastic (GRP) is made in the bow and the cabin. The type of paint and the standard of painting is not critical to her restoration but, as with all the craft, dampness is a constant problem to be overcome.

Ideal Standard of Care

In order to protect the long term future of the BH.7 it should be stored under cover. It should be put back into the sort of condition it was in when it was decommissioned but as a static display containing the history and developments in the form of videos, pictures and information.

The current location at the former HMS Daedalus is where the craft was based in the Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit days.

Present Condition

The BH.7 has been stored in the open at HMS Daedalus since it was transferred from East Cowes in 1990 at a cost to the Museum of £5,500. It is a large heavy craft which no longer has it's own lift or propulsion and it was moved with the aid of industrial blowers which were transferred from a tug to a large recovery truck with the assistance of a small working hovercraft, when it reached the Lee-on-Solent slipway. The craft has been completely repainted once with the assistance of volunteers from 'Operation Raleigh'.

On 2nd December 1998, the craft was moved back across the airfield to a position adjacent to the SR.N4 Swift where she has been cleaned and re-painted. This was the first time the craft had been moved in 9 years, and the move was achieved in a similar manner to the way she was hovered to her current position - with the use of a truck-mounted industrial blower and a tow truck.

Now in her new position, access is much easier for restoration purposes and the security in this area of the base is also better. With the aid of volunteers, the craft is having the finishing touches applied to the paint scheme, and Hoverspeed engineers have generously volunteered to re-fit her propeller pylon complete with its 21ft propeller to make her look externally complete.

Area Required for Adequate Conservation Storage

500 m² (28 m x 13 m)
Internal 55 m² storage (13.1 m x 4.2 m)
Bow door 4.18 m x 2.2 m

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