The SR-N1 left the Columbine Works in East Cowes for a 20-minute flight across the Solent 64 years ago today – on 11th June 1959.
The then-revolutionary craft was described in contemporary press reports as:
“shaped like a doughnut and topped by something like an outsized reel of cotton.”
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A spokesperson for Saunders Roe commented at the time:
“We are highly delighted with the demonstration. Normally, we do not show a new product in public until we have done a lot of tests but no previous tests have taken place of the hovercraft on the water.”
A reporter wrote:
“For 16 minutes, it waltzed, never more than a foot above the ground, at the Saunders Roe works. Its giant fan roared as it sent air rushing through its ducts to provide it with a cushion of air to lift it from the concrete.”
High hopes were expressed for the future of the hovercraft. It was believed that it would be possible to develop a 100-ton model, capable of transporting passengers across the English Channel. In 1967, the 1st SR-N4 was completed, which was used to transport vehicles and passengers across the Channel until it was scrapped in 2000.
The late Queen Elizabeth’s husband Prince Phillip was one of the 1st to pilot the new craft. In December 1959, he flew the SR-N1 so recklessly that he caused a dent in the bow. The dent was never repaired and became forever known as ‘the royal dent’.
Prince Phillip at the helm of the SR-N1 below:
Used to be the best way to cross the channel, what a pity…
It was never that.
Expensive and frequently cancelled, it’s only advantage was speed. The Eurotunnel shuttle has it beat on that.
Aside from a few niche roles, it was a solution looking for a problem.
I used car hovercraft frequently in the 1980s + at the start the ferries were on strike almost every year, and I used it instead initially, but then used it every year on holiday, it was same price as ferry when I always used it, I was well impressed and the stewardesses (budgies) in red made it very special
Remember seeing the first flight from Cowes Parade, also later on one of the best ways to commute to Southampton from Cowes.
Sad no mention of the inventor since it is a well know international product that is built in other countries under licence