Thornycroft Model Collection
1877 to 1914
The First Hovering Craft in the World
Details of the items preserved by The Hovercraft Museum

COLLECTION NO.1

A SERIES OF THREE MODELS OF THE SAME OVERALL SIZE, WEIGHT AND SHAPE, ONE WITH A STANDARD HULL AND TWO WITH HOLLOW BOTTOMS WHICH WERE ALMOST CERTAINLY THE MODELS USED IN SUPPORT OF THE 1877 PATENT GRANTED TO SIR JOHN I THORNYCROFT

These are three models of a very basic flat bottomed heat shape, one of which has a solid hull and the other two contain cut away parts designed to trap a layer of air. They were obviously used in a controlled tests to evaluate the effectiveness of the air lubrication principle in reducing hull resistance through the water. These models probably pre-date the Bembridge test tank and the early experiments carried out by John I Thornycroft took place in his Aunt's lily pond.

COLLECTION NO. 2

TWO TORPEDO BOAT MODELS, ONE FULL BODIED, ONE HOLLOW BOTTOMED, WHICH WERE USED FOR EXPERIMENTAL TESTING PRIOR TO THE DESIGN OF HMS LIGHTNING

These models are contemporary with the John I Thornycroft patent models and were the test tank models used for experiments connected with the design of HMS Lightning. This was the first Royal Navy torpedo boat designed with a torpedo tube for launching the new Whitehead torpedo in 1877. Although Lightning was eventually built with a standard hull these models demonstrate that air lubrication was being seriously considered at this time.

COLLECTION NO. 3

THE STEPPED HULL MODELS

This is a collection of 9 models dating from 1873 through to 1914. They have a transverse step in the bottom, designed to collect air and some contain a single hydrofoil in the bow. These models were used in experimentation culminating in the development of hydroplanes. They were used to investigate the effect of reducing the wetted surface area.

These models culminated in the design of John I Thornycroft & Company's 'Miranda III' in 1909, which is commonly regarded as one of the first successful hydrofoil boats. Miranda III was 22 feet long, 7 feet wide, powered a 60 HP engine and fitted with a steel plate in the shape of an inverted T, beneath the keel, at her bow. At speed the boat rode on it's flattened afterbody and the bow foil.

Miranda IV took the idea one step further by incorporating chines into the hull forward of the step. She achieved speeds of up to 35.5 knots. The 55 foot coastal motor boats (CMB's) used extensively in the 1914-18 war were a direct development from this series of models and the test tank model for the 55 foot CME is included in our collection. These craft had speeds in excess of 40 knots.

Ideal Standard of Care

These models all represent important developments in surface effect vessels and should be kept in a clean, dry, secure environment

Present Condition

Some are currently stored in the Wicor Farm barn, some inside the hangar at Daedalus and some in a private garage. The early models are wooden and the hydrofoil models are made from sheet aluminium. They are all between one metre and three metres long are reasonably well preserved but obviously have extreme historic importance and should be kept in a more secure and better regulated environment.

Space Required

About 4 m² on racks

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