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SR.N4 Seaspeed Hovercraft GH-2007 on arrival in September 1972. Can anyone identify either location or working?*
* Appears to be Boulogne (see below).
Scanned from a Kodachrome slide taken by the late David Eatwell, now in my collection.
Scan of an old photo of mine from the 1980s. Took a "flight" from England to France on this beastie, that raced across the Channel at 50 knots. You sat on airliner-style seats. There must have been choppy seas that day, as I recall it being like on an airplane in turbulence.
Nikon FM / Fujichrome / June 1986 / Taken by my dad
The SR.N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4) hovercraft (also known as the Mountbatten class hovercraft) was a combined passenger and vehicle-carrying class of hovercraft. The type has the distinction of being the largest civil hovercraft to have ever been put into service
Dover, Kent, UK
Hoverspeed SRN4 GH-2004 is loading for Dover at Calais on a blustery evening in September 1989. Not the calmest of crossings!
Pentax K1000/50mm
Ilford FP4
The SR.N4s operated regular services across the English Channel between 1968 and 2000. In response to operator demands, stretched versions of the SR.N4 were developed, cumulating in the Mk.III variant, which had almost double the capacity for carrying both cars and passengers as the Mk.I. While interest was expressed in military applications for the type, no vehicles were ultimately used for such purposes. Following the fleet's withdrawal from cross-channel services, a single remaining Mk.III example, GH-2007 Princess Anne, has been preserved; it is currently on static display at the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent.
The SR.N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4) hovercraft was a combined passenger and vehicle-carrying class of hovercraft and had the distinction of being the largest hovercraft to have ever been put into civilian service. The SR.N4 was the largest hovercraft then built and was designed to carry 254 passengers in two cabins besides a four-lane automobile bay which held up to 30 cars. Cars were driven from a bow ramp just forward of the wheelhouse.
In response to operator demands, stretched versions of the SR.N4 were developed, cumulating in the Mk.III variant, which had almost double the capacity for carrying both cars and passengers as the Mk.I. While interest was expressed in military applications for the type, no vehicles were ultimately used for such purposes. The SR.N4s operated regular services across the English Channel between 1968 and 2000. Following the fleet's withdrawal from cross-channel services, a single remaining Mk.III example, GH-2007 Princess Anne, has been on static display at a Hovercraft museum in Lee-on-Solent on the South Coast of England.
This one, GH-2005, named ‘Sure’ was photographed at Ramsgate International Hover Port in August 1976, prior to our car driving onto the craft and then making our way to France and a long drive down to Spain!
GH-2005 Sure was built in 1968, converted to Mk.II specification in 1972 and eventually broken up in 1983 for spares.
Performance
Max speed: Mark 1 – 65 knots or 75mph in calm water with zero wind and fully laden.
Mk.II – 70 knots, over 80mph (130 km/h).
It’s normal operating speed was 40 – 60 knots, about 45-70mph. (110 km/h)
Operating time was 4 hours at maximum power with 2,800 Imperial gallons of fuel.
Maximum Gradient it could take was 1 in 11.
SRN4 hovercraft - the largest passenger hovercraft ever built. Here is the Mark1 version in its original British Hovercraft Corporation colours.
Crossing Dover Harbour on her way out of Dover Hoverport. GH-2007 was named "The Princess Anne" by her namesake in October 1969. The SRN4 craft went for conversion to Super 4 (larger) specification in 1977, returning to work for Seaspeed in April of 1978. Lots of additional information here: www.doverferryphotosforums.co.uk/hsc-the-princess-anne/
Minus her giant propellors, HoverLLoyd's huge
'Mountbatten Class' SR.N4 GH-2004 'Swift' languishing at the Hovercraft Museum, Lee-on-Solent before being scrapped in 2004.
Famous for plying across the English Channel to mainland Europe packed with cars and holiday makers, the advent of 'The Chunnel' rendered them unviable.
See:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR.N4#Survivors
Scanned Kodachrome 35mm Transparency
The mighty SRN4 Hovercraft approaches the apron at Dover.
At the time - this was the fastest way to cross the Channel to France.
The service stopped in 2000,
Hovercraft GH-2004 "Swift" was the second SRN4 hovercraft built for Hoverlloyd, in 1969. This craft made it to the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-the-Solent but was broken up in 2004.
This is the huge hovercraft that went from Dover to France. When I was about 8 I went on one with my family when we stayed in Paris for the first time. This is the Princess Anne, one of two - the other being the Princess Margaret. It was explained to us that they were intending to combine the two, as the Princess Anne's interior was the best, but there were parts on the Margaret that were in better condition.
The SR.N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4), or Mountbatten class hovercraft, served for over 30 years as a fast cross-channel ferry. After the mk3 upgrades to the craft, it was able to carry over 60 cars, and 400+ passengers. To this day the SR.N4 craft holds the record for the fastest car-carrying commercial channel crossing at an impressive time of 22 minutes.
The Worlds' largest Commercial passenger and car carrying hovercraft built, 'Princess Anne' SRN-4 at the Hovercraft Museum Lee-on-Solent Hampshire. In service across the English Channel 1968-2000 arriving at Lee in 2000 along with sister craft 'Princess Margaret' which was recycled for spares in 2016 to keep 'Anne' in presentable condition. The Proteus engines drove the Worlds' largest air screw propellers 21ft (6.4m) in diameter.
We’ve all arrived in Boulogne-sur-Mer and are trooping off Seaspeed’s SR.N4 hovercraft, ‘The Princess Margaret’. (A sister SR.N4 craft was named after another haughty and irascible subsidiary member of the House of Windsor, ‘The Princess Anne’.)
Crossing the English Channel from Dover took around 35-40 minutes in fair weather, thus making day trips to France a feasible option from my London base. Seaspeed was a joint venture between British Rail and SNCF, so good rail connections were provided. Dedicated shuttle buses conveyed passengers between Dover Priory station and Dover Hoverport, while SNCF provided a purpose-built station at Boulogne adjacent to the hovercraft terminal.
This was my first-ever hovercraft journey, high-tech compared with the Sealink ferries I had used on previous cross-Channel forays. Further trips followed throughout the 1980s and into the 1990s, but by then hovercraft seemed to have become somewhat passé. The opening of the Channel Tunnel in 1994 ensured their ultimate demise, further accelerated by the proliferation of budget airlines. But more than 40 years ago, flying was an option way beyond my budget, and I had in fact only taken one round-trip airline journey.
‘The Princess Margaret’ outlived her royal-blooded namesake, but was scrapped in 2018. ‘The Princess Anne’ survives in a dedicated museum in Lee-on-Solent.
November 1979
Zorki 4 camera
Agfa CT18 film.
GH-2007 "The Princess Anne" was one of two SRN4 to be "stretched" and designated SRN Super 4. She is seen here after departure from Dover on 28 June 1992 with a P&O ferry vsible through the haze on the channel.
A visit to the Hovercraft Museum and Lee-on-the-Solent has been a wish of mine for a long time. My Mum can remember that as a child I was passionate about hovercrafts, and my parents would often walk me along the seafront, about a mile, to see the hovercraft run between Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
After all this time, Matt and Sophie kindly drove us to the museum so we could all have a look.
One of the most impressive hovercrafts was this one, the Princess Anne, as it is possibly one I went on in 1972 when my family took me on my first holiday to Paris. Some info below:
The SR.N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4) hovercraft (also known as the Mountbatten-class hovercraft) was a large passenger and vehicle carrying hovercraft built by the British Hovercraft Corporation (BHC). BHC was formed by the merger of Saunders-Roe and Vickers Supermarine in 1966. Work on the SR.N4 began in 1965 and the first trials took place in early 1968. Power was provided by four Rolls-Royce Proteus marine turboshaft engines each driving its own lift fan and pylon-mounted steerable propulsion propeller.
The SR.N4 was the largest hovercraft built to that date, designed to carry 254 passengers in two cabins besides a four-lane automobile bay which held up to 30 cars. Cars were driven from a bow ramp just forward of the cockpit / wheelhouse. The first design was 40 metres (131 ft) long, weighed 190 long tons (193 t), was capable of 83 knots (154 km/h) and could cruise at over 60 knots (111 km/h).
The craft entered commercial service in August 1968, with the Princess Margaret (of British Rail's Seaspeed) initially operated between Dover and Boulogne but later craft also made the Ramsgate (Pegwell Bay) to Calais route. This craft was featured in the James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever" in 1971. The journey time, Dover to Boulogne, was roughly 35 minutes, with six trips a day at peak times. The fastest ever crossing of the English Channel by a commercial car-carrying hovercraft was 22 minutes, recorded by the SR.N4 Mk.III Princess Anne on 14 September 1995,[2] for the 10:00 a.m. service. (From Wikipedia)
It was an exciting time for me going on my first trip abroad, but I mostly remember the crossing being rather rough, and although I wasn't sick on the hovercraft, I was sick on the train ride on the other side!! I believe our trip was from Dover to Boulogne. Here are some posters on show inside the Princess Anne.
Several more photos from our trip to the museum will be following soon!
1986 slide when we crossed to Calais.
The SR.N4 hovercraft (also known as the Mountbatten class hovercraft) was a combined passenger and vehicle-carrying class of hovercraft. The type has the distinction of being the largest civil hovercraft to have ever been put into service.
Work on the SR.N4 was initiated in 1965 by Saunders-Roe. By the time that the vehicle's first trials took place in early 1968, Saunders-Roe had merged with Vickers Supermarine to form the British Hovercraft Corporation, who continued development. Power was provided by four Rolls-Royce Proteus marine turboshaft engines each driving its own lift fan and pylon-mounted steerable propulsion propeller. The SR.N4 was the largest hovercraft then built, designed to carry 254 passengers in two cabins besides a four-lane automobile bay which held up to 30 cars. Cars were driven from a bow ramp just forward of the wheelhouse. The first design was 40 metres (131 ft) long, weighed 190 long tons (193 t), was capable of 83 knots (154 km/h) and could cruise at over 60 knots (111 km/h).
The SR.N4s operated regular services across the English Channel between 1968 and 2000. In response to operator demands, stretched versions of the SR.N4 were developed, cumulating in the Mk.III variant, which had almost double the capacity for carrying both cars and passengers as the Mk.I. While interest was expressed in military applications for the type, no vehicles were ultimately used for such purposes. Following the fleet's withdrawal from cross-channel services, a single remaining Mk.III example, GH-2007 Princess Anne, has been preserved; it is currently on static display at the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent.
Hoverlloyd - Sure
GH-2005 British Hovercraft Corporation SRN4 Mk II (03) -/68
new 1968 as a Mk I; rebuilt as larger Mk II (36 cars, 278 passengers) re-entering service -/72; broken up for spares -/98
Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate 14/06/74
Built by the British Hovercraft Corporation at Cowes in 1968 and stretched to carry 400 passengers and 55 cars in 1978/9, "The Princess Margaret" is seen arriving at Dover on 11 August 1990. After the hovercraft service ceased she was bought (with her sister) for preservation but was eventually broken up to provide spares for the remaining craft which can be found at the British Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent.
The mighty Mark 3 version of the SRN4 hovercraft (otherwise known as "Super 4" could carry 60 cars and 418 passengers and was powered by 4 Rolls Royce engines. "The Princess Margaret", new to Seaspeed in 1968 and converted to Mark 3 specification in 1979 is seen here on the apron at Boulogne discharging passengers on 3 April 1982.
Between 1966 and about 1970 the young company Hoverlloyd operated SRN6 hovercraft between Ramsgate and Calais, while they awaited delivery of the much larger SRN4 craft.
These were named 'Swift' and 'Sure'. names that would be perpetuated with the SRN4 craft later.
A fierce rivalry would develop with Seaspeed Hovercraft operating from Dover.
SRN6 - Saunders-Roe Nautical 6
DV Bennett Postcard in collection
The Saunders-Roe designed hovercraft were built by BHC (British Hovercraft Corporation) which was a merger between Saunders-Roe and Vickers Supermarine and were fitted with four Rolls Royce Proteus engines. The craft seen here is skimming across the hoverport apron onto the calm waters of Dover Western Docks on route to Calais or Boulogne.
British Rail 'Seaspeed' was formed in 1968 using hovercraft on two Channel routes and across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. BHC built six of these large hovercraft designated SR-N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4) and they saw several major rebuilds during their operational life to increase vehicle and passenger capacity. The last remaining craft were withdrawn from the Channel routes in October 2000 as the withdrawal of duty free and the advent of the Channel Tunnel had killed the market for such craft.
BR had merged its Hovercraft operations with Hoverlloyd in 1981 who operated from Pegwell Bay near Ramsgate forming the company "Hoverspeed" and the above craft carries their colours. Two further craft can be seen on the apron beyond.
Arriving onto the Apron.
An icon of British engineering right up there with Mini, Concorde and the High Speed Train.
Sadly all now retired.
This British Hovercraft Corporation SRN4 Mk II Hovercraft was built for Hoverlloyd in 1972. She is seen on the apron at Dover Hoverport on 3 February 1984. She is named after Sir Christopher Cockerell, inventor of the hovercraft.
Disembarking a hovercraft was not a glamorous experience for foot passengers. As can be seen here at Calais, passengers emerged into open air and had to cross whatever the wind had blown onto the apron. The "Swift" was built by Hoverlloyd in 1969 and ran until 1989. She was scrapped in 2004.
Dover Harbour, Easter Saturday, 21 April 1984. New to Seaspeed (owned by British Railways) in 1968, this SRN4 hovercraft was enlarged to Mark III specification in 1979. In this configuration the two craft so treated were sometimes called "Super 4s". Both of them were initially saved, but redevelopment of the land used by the Lee-on-Solent Hovercraft museum led to just sister craft "The Princess Anne" being retained and this hovercraft was sadly broken up in 2018. In thsi view "Margaret" is just coming off the apron of Dover Hoverport.
Decided to see what the large hovercraft looked like in the fog from down on the slipway.
Had fun trying to avoid rush hour traffic zooming past.
The hovercraft visible, Princess Anne SRN4, used to be in service between Dover and Calais.
Seen with British Railways Seaspeed branding, at Boulogne Hoverport.
Built 1968 British Hovercraft Corporation, Cowes
SRN4 = Saunders-Roe Nautical 4
Later in their careers, in 1978, the SRN4 hovercraft were elongated by almost 17m and named. This view shows original configuration.
Postcard in collection, bought 1972
Hovercraft GH-2008 "Sir Christopher" was built by British Hovercraft Corporation for Hoverlloyd in 1972 and modestly enlarged in 1974. Seen here on the apron at Dover after the merger of Hoverlloyd and Seaspeed to become Hoverspeed. Sadly, follwoing the opening of the Channel Tunnel the market for surface crossings plummeted and ths splendid craft was broken for spares in 1998.
26th October 1967
The world's largest hovercraft, four times larger than any other, is revealed here, called the SRN4
Costing about £4,200,000, the craft will go into service next year. The 165 tonner will be able to make the Dover-Boulogne channel crossing in 35 minutes at speeds of 70 miles per hour, carrying 254 passengers and 30 cars.
P. S.
Some of these Wirephoto's sometimes arrived at a newspaper picture editors desk a little washed out and lacking in detail, this is where the editor's pen came into use, for the published photo.
Dover Harbour, Easter Saturday, 21 April 1984. This 1968 British Hovercraft Corporation SRN4 hovercraft was converted to Mark II specification by February 1973. She was new to Hoverlloyd and passed to Hoverspeed when the two channel hovercraft operators (Hoverlloyd and Seaspeed) merged in 1981.
On 3 April 1982, Seapeed SRN4 hovercraft "Sure", new to Hoverlloyd in 1969, is seen arriving through fog at Dover Hoverport.
The former Royal Naval Air Station HMS Daedalus at Lee-on-Solent Hampshire a view from the west side of the main runway in 2015. The control tower dates from 1942 replacing an earlier one destroyed during a WW II Luftwaffe air raid in 1940. At left is the SRN4 Hovercraft "Princess Anne" one of the exhibits at the resident Hovercraft Museum seen minus her propellers but these were refitted in 2017, the hills of the Isle of Wight can be glimpsed in the distance. The Fleet Air Arm vacated Lee in 1996 and the airfield is now known as Solent Airport-Daedalus with the 80 year old tower still in everyday use.
New to Seaspeed (owned by British Railways) in 1968, this SRN4 hovercraft was enlarged to Mark III specification in 1979. In this configuration the two craft so treated were sometimes called "Super 4s". Both of them were initially saved, but redevelopment of the land used by the Lee-on-Solent Hovercraft museum led to just sister craft "The Princess Anne" being retained and this hovercraft was sadly broken up in 2018. On 27 June 1992 she has just departed Dover Hoverport.
If you came here from the "In The Year 2000" pool, I feel the need to justify adding this photo. Established over 40 years ago as a fast, efficient and futuristic means of crossing to France, the service was seen as the future of sea travel. The Princess Margaret went with all the flare of it's first trip in 1968 when this photo was taken in 1997.
Sadly, in the year 2000 the last regular journeys were made and in 2005 they decided to cancel the service. The giant SR.N4s now sit at the Hovercraft museum at Lee-On-Solent.
An early view with British Railways Seaspeed branding, before 'stretching'.
Built 1968 British Hovercraft Corporation, Cowes
SRN4 = Saunders-Roe Nautical 4
Lengthened by 16m and widened and uprated in 1978 to Mk III standard. At some point was renamed 'The Princess Margaret'
Became part of the Hoverspeed fleet from 1981, a merger of Seaspeed and Hoverlloyd.
Scrapped 2018.
Elgate Postcard in collection
Between 1966 and about 1970 the young company Hoverlloyd operated SRN6 hovercraft between Ramsgate and Calais, while they awaited delivery of the much larger SRN4 craft.
These were named 'Swift' and 'Sure'. names that would be perpetuated with the SRN4 craft later.
A fierce rivalry would develop with Seaspeed Hovercraft operating from Dover.
SRN6 - Saunders-Roe Nautical 6
Hoverlloyd Postcard in collection
Only 2 survive at The Hovercraft Museum in Gosport, Hampshire, The Princess Margaret and The Princess Anne.
The museum is under threat from housing and business development. The landowner is also the owner of the 2 Hovercraft which means access to them is barred even though they are on show for the public. The land on which the Hovercraft Museum stands is owned by the Homes and Communities Agency. Proposed redevelopment of the site has led to the two craft being threatened with scrapping, but a petition was launched with the aim of preserving one of the craft.
They both look in a sorry state. The plan is to take the propellors off Margaret and put them on Anne, along with other parts to try and make Anne worth saving if Margaret goes for scrap.
At least one of these craft should be saved they are Icons of their time.
Entry to the Museum is only £7 and includes many displays, Hovercraft, video and models.
I think this photograph sums up hovercraft travel - all that's missing is that characteristic engine roar!
This 1968 British Hovercraft Corporation SRN4 hovercraft was converted to Mark II specification by February 1973. She was new to Hoverlloyd, passed to Hoverspeed and by the time of this photo on 11 August 1990 was running for Hoverspeed British Ferries. She is seen crossing Dover Harbour to reach the Hoverport.