This page is part of the Hovercraft Museum website archive
If you would like to be forwarded to our current site click here

1.
The restored model as stored on the car deck of Swift		 2.
Shown on the tarmac outside Swift, the model looks pristine after its restoration		 3.
A head on view of the model shows the detail		 4.
Warwick Jacobs demonstrates the SR.N1 model to its creator, Sir Christopher Cockerell on his visit to the Museum in 1994

Click on thumbnails above for larger images

Manufacturer: Saunders Roe
Built: Circa 1956
Size: 1 / 6th scale
Approx. 6 ft x 4 ft
Constructed from balsa wood and thin plywood

Powered by a single internal combustion engine driving a large central fan to provide a continuous flow of air to a peripheral jet. A small IC engine was mounted at the rear of the model to provide thrust.

History

This is the last surviving original model from the development model test programme that was undertaken prior to the construction of SR.N1, the world's first, practical, man-carrying hovercraft. Model trials were still going on alongside the production of the real craft.

The model represents the early stage of development of the SR.N1 before it was fitted with any skirts and this was how the SR.N1 was first flown on the Solent in 1959. The craft flew in calm conditions but the air loss was great and the man-carrying craft was soon fitted with a simple skirt to help to contain the air and enable it to work better over waves.

The museum film archive shows this model under construction and being flown during various stages of development. It was used to test the design for stability, reaction to different weather conditions and water states, and methods of control.

Heritage value

A number of test models were built but this is the last surviving one. It represents the development of a completely new industry and is complimentary to the SR.N1, which is currently owned by the Science Museum, and stored at Wroughton and which will ultimately be loaned to the Museum. It is an extremely important heritage asset.

Approach to Conservation

The model was badly damaged before it was donated to the Museum and much of the original needed to be replaced to restore it to viewing condition. Since it required a lot of work anyway, it was decided to restore it to working condition with such modifications to enable it to be safely demonstrated indoors.

Ideal Standard of Care

Although most of the model is original some repairs were necessary. This was carried out professionally with the award of a £1,000 'Carnegie' grant / Hovercraft Society restoration. It is still an extremely important model in the development of hovercraft and it should be stored in a clean dry environment, without excessive changes in temperature or excessive amounts of light. It should only be demonstrated in controlled conditions, by trained people, and it should, in general, be protected from public handling.

Present Condition

The model was severely damaged in the October 1987 hurricane when the building it was housed in was destroyed. It has now been rebuilt to hovering condition and has been fitted with an electric motor driving the lift fan, in replacement of the original petrol engine, which could have created a fire hazard, and it can now be demonstrated indoors. It is currently stored inside the SR.N4 at Daedalus.

Space Required

3 m² (2m x 1.5m) preferably within an accessible glass tank.

 

Back to the Hovercraft Museum Home Page