The construction of a vehicle that would allow movement both on land and on water was preceded by an acquaintance with the history of the discovery and creation of original amphibians - hovercraft(AVP), study of their fundamental structure, comparison various designs and schemes.

For this purpose, I visited many Internet sites of enthusiasts and creators of WUAs (including foreign ones), and met some of them in person.

In the end, the prototype of the planned boat was taken by the English Hovercraft (“floating ship” - that’s how the AVP is called in the UK), built and tested by local enthusiasts. Our most interesting domestic vehicles of this type were mostly created for law enforcement agencies, and in last years- for commercial purposes, had large dimensions, and therefore were not suitable for amateur production.

My hovercraft (I call it “Aerojeep”) is a three-seater: the pilot and passengers are arranged in a T-shape, like on a tricycle: the pilot is in front in the middle, and the passengers are behind next to each other, one next to the other. The machine is single-engine, with a divided air flow, for which a special panel is installed in its annular channel slightly below its center.

Technical data of the hovercraft
Overall dimensions, mm:
length	3950
width	2400
height	1380
Engine power, l. With.	31
Weight, kg	150
Load capacity, kg	220
Fuel capacity, l	12
Fuel consumption, l/h	6
Obstacles to be overcome:
rise, deg.	20
wave, m	0,5
Cruising speed, km/h:
on water	50
on the ground	54
on ice	60

Consists of three main parts: propeller installation with a transmission, a fiberglass body and a “skirt” - a flexible fence for the lower part of the body - so to speak, a “pillowcase” of the air cushion.

1 - segment (thick fabric); 2 - mooring cleat (3 pcs.); 3 - wind visor; 4 - side strip for fastening segments; 5 - handle (2 pcs.); 6 - propeller guard; 7 - ring channel; 8 - rudder (2 pcs.); 9 - steering wheel control lever; 10 - access hatch to the gas tank and battery; 11 - pilot's seat; 12 - passenger sofa; 13 - engine casing; 14 - engine; 15 - outer shell; 16 - filler (foam); 17 - inner shell; 18 - dividing panel; 19 - propeller; 20 - propeller hub; 21 - timing belt; 22 - node for fastening the lower part of the segment. enlarge, 2238x1557, 464 KB

hovercraft hull

It is double: fiberglass, consists of an inner and outer shell.

The outer shell has a fairly simple configuration - it is just inclined (about 50° to the horizontal) sides without a bottom - flat over almost the entire width and slightly curved in its upper part. The bow is rounded, and the rear has the appearance of an inclined transom. In the upper part, along the perimeter of the outer shell, oblong holes-grooves are cut out, and at the bottom, from the outside, a cable enclosing the shell is fixed in eye bolts for attaching the lower parts of the segments to it.

The inner shell is more complex in configuration than the outer shell, since it has almost all the elements of a small vessel (say, a dinghy or a boat): sides, bottom, curved gunwales, a small deck in the bow (only the upper part of the transom in the stern is missing) - while being completed as one detail. In addition, in the middle of the cockpit along it, a separately molded tunnel with a canister under the driver’s seat is glued to the bottom. It houses the fuel tank and battery, as well as the throttle cable and the steering control cable.

In the aft part of the inner shell there is a kind of poop, raised and open at the front. It serves as the base of the annular channel for the propeller, and its jumper deck serves as an air flow separator, part of which (the supporting flow) is directed into the shaft opening, and the other part is used to create propulsive traction force.

All elements of the body: the inner and outer shells, the tunnel and the annular channel were glued onto matrices made of glass mat about 2 mm thick on polyester resin. Of course, these resins are inferior to vinyl ester and epoxy resins in adhesion, filtration level, shrinkage, and release harmful substances when drying, but have an undeniable advantage in price - they are much cheaper, which is important. For those who intend to use such resins, let me remind you that the room where the work is carried out must have good ventilation and a temperature of at least 22°C.

The matrices were made in advance according to the master model from the same glass mats on the same polyester resin, only the thickness of their walls was larger and amounted to 7-8 mm (for the housing shells - about 4 mm). Before gluing the elements, all roughness and burrs were carefully removed from the working surface of the matrix, and it was covered three times with wax diluted in turpentine and polished. After this, it was applied to the surface with a spray (or roller) thin layer(up to 0.5 mm) gelcoat (colored varnish) of the selected yellow color.

After it dried, the process of gluing the shell began using the following technology. First, using a roller, the wax surface of the matrix and the side of the glass mat with smaller pores are coated with resin, and then the mat is laid on the matrix and rolled until the air is completely removed from under the layer (if necessary, you can make a small slot in the mat). In the same way, subsequent layers of glass mats are laid to the required thickness (4-5 mm), with the installation of embedded parts (metal and wood) where necessary. Excess flaps along the edges are cut off when gluing “wet-to-edge”.

After the resin has hardened, the shell is easily removed from the matrix and processed: the edges are turned, grooves are cut, and holes are drilled.

To ensure the unsinkability of the Aerojeep, pieces of foam plastic (for example, furniture) are glued to the inner shell, leaving only the channels for air passage around the entire perimeter free. Pieces of foam plastic are glued together with resin, and attached to the inner shell with strips of glass mat, also lubricated with resin.

After making the outer and inner shells separately, they are joined, fastened with clamps and self-tapping screws, and then connected (glued) along the perimeter with strips coated with polyester resin of the same glass mat, 40-50 mm wide, from which the shells themselves were made. After this, the body is left until the resin is completely polymerized.

A day later, a duralumin strip with a cross-section of 30x2 mm is attached to the upper joint of the shells along the perimeter with blind rivets, installing it vertically (the tongues of the segments are fixed on it). Wooden runners measuring 1500x90x20 mm (length x width x height) are glued to the lower part of the bottom at a distance of 160 mm from the edge. One layer of glass mat is glued on top of the runners. In the same way, only from the inside of the shell, in the aft part of the cockpit, a base of wooden slab is installed under the engine.

It is worth noting that using the same technology used to make the outer and inner shells, smaller elements were glued: the inner and outer shells of the diffuser, steering wheels, gas tank, engine casing, wind deflector, tunnel and driver's seat. For those who are just starting to work with fiberglass, I recommend preparing the manufacture of a boat from these small elements. The total mass of the fiberglass body together with the diffuser and rudders is about 80 kg.

Of course, the production of such a hull can also be entrusted to specialists - companies that produce fiberglass boats and boats. Fortunately, there are a lot of them in Russia, and the costs will be comparable. However, in the process self-made will be able to gain the necessary experience and the opportunity to further model and create various elements and fiberglass structures.

Propeller-powered hovercraft

It includes an engine, a propeller and a transmission that transmits torque from the first to the second.

The engine used is BRIGGS & STATTION, produced in Japan under an American license: 2-cylinder, V-shaped, four-stroke, 31 hp. With. at 3600 rpm. Its guaranteed service life is 600 thousand hours. Starting is carried out by an electric starter, from the battery, and the spark plugs work from the magneto.

The engine is mounted on the bottom of the Aerojeep's body, and the propeller hub axis is fixed at both ends to brackets in the center of the diffuser, raised above the body. The transmission of torque from the engine output shaft to the hub is carried out by a toothed belt. The driven and driving pulleys, like the belt, are toothed.

Although the mass of the engine is not so large (about 56 kg), its location on the bottom significantly lowers the center of gravity of the boat, which has a positive effect on the stability and maneuverability of the machine, especially an “aeronautical” one.

The exhaust gases are discharged into the lower air flow.

Instead of the installed Japanese one, you can use suitable domestic engines, for example, from snowmobiles “Buran”, “Lynx” and others. By the way, for a one- or two-seat AVP, smaller engines with a power of about 22 hp are quite suitable. With.

The propeller is six-bladed, with a fixed pitch (angle of attack set on land) of the blades.

1 - walls; 2 - cover with tongue.

The annular channel of the propeller should also be considered an integral part of the propeller engine installation, although its base (lower sector) is integral with the inner shell of the housing. The annular channel, like the body, is also composite, glued together from outer and inner shells. Just in the place where its lower sector joins the upper one, a fiberglass dividing panel is installed: it separates the air flow created by the propeller (and, on the contrary, connects the walls of the lower sector along a chord).

The engine, located at the transom in the cockpit (behind the back of the passenger seat), is covered on top by a fiberglass hood, and the propeller, in addition to the diffuser, is also covered by a wire grille in front.

The soft elastic fencing of a hovercraft (skirt) consists of separate but identical segments, cut and sewn from dense lightweight fabric. It is desirable that the fabric is water-repellent, does not harden in the cold and does not allow air to pass through. I used Finnish-made Vinyplan material, but domestic percale-type fabric is quite suitable. The segment pattern is simple, and you can even sew it by hand.

Each segment is attached to the body as follows. The tongue is placed over the side vertical bar, with an overlap of 1.5 cm; onto it is the tongue of the adjacent segment, and both of them, at the point of overlap, are secured to the bar with a special alligator clip, only without teeth. And so on around the entire perimeter of the Aerojeep. For reliability, you can also put a clip in the middle of the tongue. The two lower corners of the segment are suspended freely using nylon clamps on a cable that wraps around the lower part of the outer shell of the housing.

This composite design of the skirt allows you to easily replace a failed segment, which will take 5-10 minutes. It would be appropriate to say that the design is operational when up to 7% of the segments fail. In total, up to 60 pieces are placed on the skirt.

Principle of movement hovercraft next. After starting the engine and idling, the device remains in place. As the speed increases, the propeller begins to drive a more powerful air flow. Part of it (large) creates propulsive force and provides the boat with forward movement. The other part of the flow goes under the dividing panel into the side air ducts of the hull (the free space between the shells up to the very bow), and then through the slot-holes in the outer shell it evenly enters the segments. This flow, simultaneously with the start of movement, creates an air cushion under the bottom, lifting the apparatus above the underlying surface (be it soil, snow or water) by several centimeters.

The rotation of the Aerojeep is carried out by two rudders, which deflect the “forward” air flow to the side. The steering wheels are controlled from a double-arm motorcycle-type steering column lever, through a Bowden cable running along the starboard side between the shells to one of the steering wheels. The other steering wheel is connected to the first by a rigid rod.

A carburetor throttle control lever (analogous to a throttle grip) is also attached to the left handle of the double-arm lever.

To operate a hovercraft, you must register it with the local state inspection for small craft (GIMS) and obtain a ship's ticket. To obtain a certificate for the right to operate a boat, you must also complete a training course on how to operate a boat.

However, even these courses still do not have instructors for piloting hovercraft. Therefore, each pilot has to master the management of the AVP independently, literally gaining the relevant experience bit by bit.

A hovercraft is a vehicle that can travel both on water and on land. It’s not at all difficult to make such a vehicle with your own hands.

This is a device that combines the functions of a car and a boat. The result was a hovercraft (hovercraft) with unique characteristics maneuverability, without loss of speed when moving through water due to the fact that the hull of the vessel does not move through the water, but above its surface. This made it possible to move through the water much faster, due to the fact that the friction force of the water masses does not provide any resistance.

Although the hovercraft has a number of advantages, its field of application is not so widespread. The fact is that this device cannot move on any surface without any problems. It requires soft sandy or soil soil, without stones or other obstacles. The presence of asphalt and other hard bases can render the bottom of the vessel, which creates an air cushion when moving, unusable. In this regard, “hovercrafts” are used where you need to sail more and drive less. If on the contrary, then it is better to use the services of an amphibious vehicle with wheels. Ideal conditions their application is in difficult to pass swampy places where, except for a hovercraft (hovercraft), no other vehicle can pass. Therefore, hovercrafts have not become so widespread, although similar transport is used by rescuers in some countries, such as Canada, for example. According to some reports, SVPs are in service with NATO countries.

How to purchase such a vehicle or how to make it yourself?

Hovercraft is an expensive type of transport, the average price of which reaches 700 thousand rubles. Scooter-type transport costs 10 times less. But at the same time, one should take into account the fact that factory-made transport is always different best quality, compared to homemade products. And the reliability of the vehicle is higher. In addition, factory models are accompanied by factory warranties, which cannot be said about structures assembled in garages.

Factory models have always been focused on a narrowly professional area associated with either fishing, or hunting, or special services. As for homemade hovercraft, they are extremely rare and there are reasons for this.

These reasons include:

• Quite a high cost, as well as expensive maintenance. The main elements of the device wear out quickly, which requires their replacement. Moreover, each such repair will cost a pretty penny. Only a rich person will afford to buy such a device, and even then he will think again whether it is worth getting involved with it. The fact is that such workshops are as rare as the vehicle itself. Therefore, it is more profitable to purchase a jet ski or ATV for moving on water.
• The operating product creates a lot of noise, so you can only move around with headphones.
• When moving against the wind, the speed drops significantly and fuel consumption increases significantly. Therefore, homemade hovercraft is more of a demonstration of one’s professional abilities. You not only need to be able to operate a vessel, but also be able to repair it, without significant expenditure of funds.

DIY SVP manufacturing process

Firstly, assembling a good hovercraft at home is not so easy. To do this you need to have the opportunity, desire and professional skills. A technical education wouldn't hurt either. If the last condition is absent, then it is better to refuse to build the apparatus, otherwise you may crash on it during the first test.

All work begins with sketches, which are then transformed into working drawings. When creating sketches, you should remember that this device should be as streamlined as possible so as not to create unnecessary resistance when moving. At this stage, one should take into account the fact that this is practically an aerial vehicle, although it is very low to the surface of the earth. If all conditions are taken into account, then you can begin to develop drawings.

The figure shows a sketch of the SVP of the Canadian Rescue Service.

Technical data of the device

As a rule, all hovercraft are capable of achieving decent speeds that no boat can achieve. This is when you consider that the boat and hovercraft have the same mass and engine power.

At the same time, the proposed model of a single-seat hovercraft is designed for a pilot weighing from 100 to 120 kilograms.

As for driving a vehicle, it is quite specific and does not fit in with driving a regular motor boat. The specificity is associated not only with the presence of high speed, but also with the method of movement.

The main nuance is related to the fact that when turning, especially at high speeds, the ship skids strongly. To minimize this factor, you need to lean to the side when turning. But these are short-term difficulties. Over time, the control technique is mastered and the hovercraft can demonstrate miracles of maneuverability.

What materials are needed?

Basically you will need plywood, foam plastic and a special construction kit from Universal Hovercraft, which includes everything you need for self-assembly vehicle. The kit includes insulation, screws, air cushion fabric, special glue and more. This set can be ordered on the official website by paying 500 bucks for it. The kit also includes several variants of drawings for assembling the SVP apparatus.

Since the drawings are already available, the shape of the vessel should be linked to the finished drawing. But if you have a technical background, then, most likely, a ship will be built that is not similar to any of the options.

The bottom of the vessel is made of foam plastic, 5-7 cm thick. If you need a device to transport more than one passenger, then another sheet of foam plastic is attached to the bottom. After this, two holes are made in the bottom: one is intended for air flow, and the second is to provide the pillow with air. Holes are cut using an electric jigsaw.

On next stage seal the lower part of the vehicle from moisture. To do this, take fiberglass and glue it to the foam using epoxy glue. At the same time, unevenness and air bubbles may form on the surface. To get rid of them, the surface is covered with polyethylene and a blanket on top. Then, another layer of film is placed on the blanket, after which it is fixed to the base with tape. It is better to blow the air out of this “sandwich” using a vacuum cleaner. After 2 or 3 hours, the epoxy resin will harden and the bottom will be ready for further work.

The top of the body can have any shape, but take into account the laws of aerodynamics. After this, they begin to attach the pillow. The most important thing is that air enters it without loss.

The pipe for the motor should be made of styrofoam. The main thing here is to guess the size: if the pipe is too large, then you will not get the traction that is necessary to lift the hovercraft. Then you should pay attention to mounting the motor. The motor holder is a kind of stool consisting of 3 legs attached to the bottom. The engine is installed on top of this “stool”.

What engine do you need?

There are two options: the first option is to use an engine from Universal Hovercraft or use any suitable engine. This could be a chainsaw engine, the power of which is quite enough for a homemade device. If you want to get a more powerful device, then you should take a more powerful engine.

It is advisable to use factory-made blades (those included in the kit), since they require careful balancing and this is quite difficult to do at home. If this is not done, the unbalanced blades will destroy the entire engine.

How reliable can a hovercraft be?

As practice shows, factory hovercraft (hovercraft) have to be repaired about once every six months. But these problems are insignificant and do not require serious costs. Basically, the airbag and air supply system fail. In fact, the likelihood is that homemade device will fall apart during operation, it is very small if the “hovercraft” is assembled competently and correctly. For this to happen, you need to run into some obstacle at high speed. Despite this, the air cushion is still able to protect the device from serious damage.

Rescuers working on similar devices in Canada repair them quickly and competently. As for the pillow, it can actually be repaired in a regular garage.

Similar model will be reliable if:

• The materials and parts used were of good quality.
• The device has a new engine installed.
• All connections and fastenings are made reliably.
• The manufacturer has all the necessary skills.

If the SVP is made as a toy for a child, then in this case it is desirable that the data of a good designer be present. Although this is not an indicator for putting children behind the wheel of this vehicle. This is not a car or a boat. Operating a hovercraft is not as easy as it seems.

Taking this factor into account, you need to immediately begin manufacturing a two-seater version in order to control the actions of the one who will sit behind the wheel.

In the vastness of our country, lovers of active recreation do not miss the opportunity to ensure comfortable off-road travel, including water obstacles, at any time of the year. And if you won’t surprise anyone with a snowmobile, jet ski and airboat, then the use military equipment attracts attention. The focus of this article is the hovercraft, its technical characteristics, possibilities of use in peacetime, user reviews and short review prices for this type of transport.

Operating principle

A hovercraft, thanks to the laws of aerodynamics, uses the air flow created by the engine not only for propulsion, but also to reduce friction. The air cushion is a layer compressed air under the bottom of the vehicle, which is supported by the gravity of the vessel. Excessive air pressure leads to its release in the area of ​​contact between the bottom of the vessel and the surface of the earth or water. At the moment of releasing excess air, the friction force between the bottom of the vehicle and the surface of the earth is practically absent - this makes it possible not only to move the vessel using an aeroengine, but also to control it freely.

In addition to static work aimed at overcoming friction, the propulsion-discharge system also creates dynamic work, forcing the ship to move. To do this, a huge fan is installed on the boat’s hull, which accelerates the boat with a powerful air flow. The ceilings located behind the fan allow you to control the air flow, regulating the direction of traffic.

Technical capabilities

The technical characteristics of hovercrafts will not allow active recreation enthusiasts to pass by indifferently.

1. Any surface for movement. A body of water with a wave height of up to 25 cm, ice or snow cover is the native element for the vessel. You can travel on grass, sand, swamp, gravel or asphalt, but in such cases you need to be prepared for rapid wear of the flexible air cushion fence.
2. Load capacity. If we are talking about civil ships, then the carrying capacity, including passengers, is approximately 1000-1500 kilograms. To a greater extent, this parameter depends on the engine power.
3. Travel speed and fuel consumption. The standard is considered to be a fuel consumption of 20 liters per hour at a cruising speed of 60 km/h. Maximum indicators should not deviate from the arithmetic progression. That is, a boat speed of 120 km/h will double fuel consumption, but no more.

Restrictions on use

Small, medium or large hovercraft have a number of limitations that all buyers without exception need to know.

1. If the wave height is more than 30 cm on the water surface, the movement of the boat will be difficult and can lead to flooding, since jerks and impacts on the wave crests reduce the air pressure under the flexible fence, plunging the boat half into the water.
2. Dense and tall vegetation limits the flexible fencing's close contact with the ground, which can also make movement difficult.
3. Hard obstacles over 35 cm (driftwood, stumps, stones) not only reduce the pressure under the bottom of the vessel, but can also damage the flexible fencing. Although repairing boats on site is not a problem if you have an awl and wire, it is, however, an extra time investment.

Where did the interest come from?

In the 20th century, river and sea hovercraft were considered the best transport for walking on the water surface. Enormous speed, excellent maneuverability and high safety attracted not only tourists, but also the local population, who moved on suburban areas and back along the seas, lakes and rivers of our huge country. But the attention of hunters and fishermen was attracted by the landing boat after the screening of the film “Retaliation” at the end of the twentieth century. It was then that the era of small hovercraft arose, because the film clearly presented all the technical capabilities of this type of transport, for which there are practically no barriers.

Landing boats are still in service in many countries around the world. The peace and tranquility of Russians is protected by the world's largest hovercraft called the Zubr. It won’t be much of a problem for him to cross the entire Black Sea with a couple of tanks and a dozen armored personnel carriers on board. In addition to transporting cargo, the ship has cruise missiles on board, which makes it a combat unit in wartime.

Young technician - the beginning of all beginnings

Reproducing the landing craft in sizes acceptable for transportation by the Russian Kulibin did not present any particular problems. By conducting tests and presenting the amphibian production technology to the country's scientific and technical publications, craftsmen made it possible for military technologies to serve for peaceful purposes. If you open any technical magazine of that time, in the photo you can find not only hovercraft or hard-bottomed motor boats. To overcome the expanses of land and water, masters came up with all sorts of symbioses of automobile transport and floating vehicles, vaguely reminiscent of BRDM.

However, all of them remained only on paper, which cannot be said about the most popular transport in the world, for which there are no barriers - the hovercraft. In the media even now you can find many detailed instructions, confirmed by photos and videos, on the production of watercraft with our own hands from scratch. However, professionals recommend refraining from such proposals, because the SVP is considered dangerous.

Above are only the stars

The Pegasus series boat is recognized as the best hovercraft. First of all, it differs from its competitors in its ability to be used at any time of the year. All new boats have a salon closed type. It is made with a heating system and allows you to maintain comfortable conditions even in thirty-degree frost. In the summer heat, the cabin can be easily transformed, allowing for improved circulation fresh air. Depending on the modification, the craft can carry on board from 5 to 8 people with 350-500 kg of equipment.

If we take into account low fuel consumption and good range and speed, we can conclude that this is the best boat. The price of such a device can confuse the average person - 30,000 conventional units. However, if you add up the cost of the equipment taken together - a motor boat, an ATV and a snowmobile, it becomes clear that the hovercraft has a very attractive price.

If you are interested in the corporate segment, then the ship of the Neptune series is recognized as the leader here. Having many modifications at its disposal, the device is primarily positioned as a cross-country vehicle for transporting passengers.

Domestic alternative

In addition to "Pegasus" on Russian market The hovercraft “Mars”, “Neoteric”, “Sagittarius”, “Mirage”, as well as sea boats for transporting up to 15 people of the “Aerojet” series, have proven themselves well. All of them belong to the tourist class, which is why they have a number of restrictions, primarily regarding operating modes. For example, the Mirage ship can be used all year round, including severe frosts, but moving it along the waves and uneven surfaces limited due to some design features. But the baby “Neoteric” is able to go where no human has gone before, not to mention the low fuel consumption (5 liters per hour) and the enormous speed of the boat. But it has big problems with carrying capacity and operation at subzero temperatures.

An air-cushioned vehicle called “Bug” is considered a miracle of Russian industry. After viewing the hovercraft in the photo, no one will dare to call it a watercraft. It looks more like a hovercraft. The small-sized two-seater device shows high cross-country ability on different surfaces and at large angles.

SVP for fun

Judging by numerous reviews from owners, the Tornado hovercraft has gained great popularity in Russia. It was manufactured by the Ukrainian manufacturer Artel LLC at the Nikolaev shipyard. Initially, the boat is positioned as a watercraft for entertainment and cultural recreation. It is enough to see a photo of the boat to be convinced that it is unsuitable for fishing or hunting. Small dimensions and low load capacity enable the hovercraft to violate all the laws of physics and aerodynamics, both in speed and maneuverability, and in passing all kinds of obstacles. Why did he interest the Russian buyer?

1. Low price. For just ten thousand conventional units you can buy yourself universal remedy movement.
2. Possibility of modernization. SVP boat Perfectly convertible for both hunting and fishing for two people.
3. Spare parts Russian production. In addition to the RMZ-550 engine, all components can be found on the domestic market.

The inexpensive, but also low-power hovercraft Hov Pod SPX, presented by the English plant, is the most popular watercraft in Europe. It is also in service in two dozen countries around the world and is in demand in UN rescue missions. On the retail market, the boat is positioned as transport for the whole family - fishing, tourism, active recreation, picnics - all this is within its control. The manufacturer claims that simplicity, convenience and safety are the main attributes of this vessel, and a child can be trusted to operate the boat.

English high-tech devices and mechanisms have always been distinguished from their competitors by their impeccability. The Hov Pod SPX hovercraft is made of a unique composite material, which is used to make fences in Formula 1. The steering wheel is made from of stainless steel Teleflex. The base of the body, the engine protection, and all metal components in the body structure are chrome-plated. Thus, the manufacturer makes it clear to its customers that boat trips are not prohibited.

Need of government agencies

In addition to active recreation and entertainment, hovercraft have found their purpose in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Emergency Situations. For example, the Sever watercraft is used by transport police to search for and detain crime suspects. The hovercraft not only shows excellent speed characteristics (150 km/h on water), but is also able to overcome long slopes of up to 30 degrees. This vessel was noticed in service with the fishery inspectorate. Excellent tactical and technical characteristics will always attract attention.

For the repair of bridges and structures, maintenance of oil production platforms, carrying out all kinds of diving work, as well as if it is necessary to repair boats, yachts and cargo ships anchored in the roadstead, the Shelf series hovercraft is used. Huge engine power and big sizes allow you to place up to two tons of cargo on the ship without taking into account 20 workers. 360 degree rotation without displacement allows you to easily maneuver in any hard-to-reach place.

Japanese engines

Mostly all hovercraft are equipped with engines from Japanese automotive giants Honda and Subaru. This choice is not accidental. Unlike conventional motor boats, where the priority is the number of revolutions per minute of the propeller shaft, high power is more important for watercraft with a propulsion system. Naturally, fuel efficiency is always a priority for any owner. Two-liter and 130-horsepower Honda D15B and Subaru EJ20 engines have found application on air-cushioned boats.

And if initially their choice was justified by high productivity and durability during operation, then this moment The popularity lies in the possibilities of modernization. Craftsmen not only increased the engine power to 150 horsepower, but also made them significantly lighter by replacing some components. The result is a very fast hovercraft.

Legality of use

A hovercraft is classified as a small craft, which means it is subject to registration with the state inspectorate with the appropriate name. To operate a watercraft, it must also be registered and receive special licenses. These procedures are very simple and do not cause any problems. The only thing that can cause trouble is getting a medical certificate to test your license. After all, it’s not every day that doctors see owners of small boats. Judging by the numerous reviews of SVP owners, when passing the commission, it is recommended to talk about the usual test for driving a motor vehicle. Thus, the owner will significantly speed up the passage of the commission and save himself from questions and jokes from the medical staff.

Finally

As it turns out, the hovercraft market is not empty. A large number of models of both domestic and imported production have an affordable price and open up a wide range of possibilities. When making a choice among models, you first need to outline the areas of use - walking, entertainment, travel, hunting, fishing. After this, it is recommended to decide in what season the boat will be used. The price of the watercraft greatly depends on this choice.

You need to decide on the number of passengers and carrying capacity. But the choice of engine, fuel system and steering does not play a special role, since most devices have very similar characteristics, which will have little effect on the price. Unless a potential buyer decides to give his preference to an English car, which has a 65-horsepower engine and is not capable of accelerating over 70 km/h.

It all started with the fact that I wanted to do some project and involve my grandson in it. I have a lot of engineering experience behind me, so I wasn’t looking for simple projects, and then one day while watching TV, I saw a boat that was moving due to a propeller. "Cool stuff!" - I thought, and began to scour the Internet in search of at least some information.

We took the motor from an old lawn mower, and bought the layout itself (costs $30). It is good because it requires only one motor, while most similar boats require two engines. From the same company we bought the propeller, propeller hub, air cushion fabric, epoxy resin, fiberglass and screws (they sell them all in one kit). The rest of the materials are quite commonplace and can be purchased at any hardware store. The final budget was a little over $600.

Step 1: Materials

Materials you will need: polystyrene foam, plywood, kit from Universal Hovercraft (~$500). The kit contains all the little things you need to complete the project: plan, fiberglass, propeller, propeller hub, air cushion fabric, glue, epoxy resin, bushings, etc. As I wrote in the description, all materials cost about $600.

Step 2: Making the frame

We take polystyrene foam (5 cm thick) and cut out a 1.5 by 2 meter rectangle from it. Such dimensions will ensure buoyancy of a weight of ~270 kg. If 270 kg seems not enough, you can take another sheet of the same type and attach it below. We cut out two holes with a jigsaw: one for the incoming air flow and the other for inflating the pillow.

Step 3: Cover with fiberglass

The lower part of the body must be waterproof, for this we cover it with fiberglass and epoxy. In order for everything to dry properly, without unevenness and roughness, you need to get rid of any air bubbles that may arise. For this you can use industrial vacuum cleaner. We cover the fiberglass with a layer of film, then cover it with a blanket. The covering is necessary to prevent the blanket from sticking to the fiber. Then we cover the blanket with another layer of film and glue it to the floor with adhesive tape. We make a small cut, insert the trunk of the vacuum cleaner into it and turn it on. We leave it in this position for a couple of hours, when the procedure is completed, the plastic can be scraped off from the fiberglass without any effort, it will not stick to it.

Step 4: Bottom Case is Ready

The lower part of the body is ready, and now it looks something like the photo.

Step 5: Making the Pipe

The pipe is made of styrofoam, 2.5 cm thick. It is difficult to describe the whole process, but in the plan it is described in detail, we did not have any problems at this stage. Let me just note that the plywood disk is temporary and will be removed in subsequent steps.

Step 6: Motor Holder

The design is not tricky; it is made of plywood and blocks. Placed exactly in the center of the boat hull. Attaches with glue and screws.

Step 7: Propeller

The propeller can be purchased in two forms: ready-made and “semi-finished”. Ready-made ones are usually much more expensive, and buying a semi-finished product can save a lot of money. That's what we did.

The closer the propeller blades are to the edges of the air vent, the more efficiently the latter works. Once you have decided on the gap, you can sand the blades. Once the grinding is completed, it is necessary to balance the blades so that there are no vibrations in the future. If one of the blades weighs more than the other, then the weight needs to be equalized, but not by cutting the ends, or by grinding. Once the balance is found, you can apply a couple of layers of paint to maintain it. For safety, it is advisable to paint the tips of the blades in White color.

Step 8: Air Chamber

The air chamber separates the flow of incoming and outgoing air. Made from 3 mm plywood.

Step 9: Installing the Air Chamber

The air chamber is attached with glue, but you can also use fiberglass; I always prefer to use fiber.

Step 10: Guides

The guides are made of 1 mm plywood. To give them strength, cover them with one layer of fiberglass. It’s not very clear in the photo, but you can still see that both guides are connected together at the bottom with an aluminum strip, this is done so that they work synchronously.

Step 11: Shape the Boat and Add Side Panels

The outline of the shape/contour is made on the bottom, after which a wooden plank is attached with screws according to the outline. 3mm plywood bends well and fits right into the shape we need. Next, we fasten and glue a 2 cm beam along the upper edge of the plywood sides. We add a cross beam and install a handle, which will be the steering wheel. We attach cables to it extending from the guide blades installed earlier. Now you can paint the boat, preferably applying several layers. We chose white; even with prolonged direct sunlight, the body practically does not heat up.

I must say that she swims briskly, and this makes me happy, but it surprised me steering. At medium speeds turns are possible, but at high speed the boat first skids to the side, and then by inertia it moves backwards for some time. Although, after getting used to it a little, I realized that tilting my body in the direction of the turn and slightly slowing down the gas can significantly reduce this effect. It’s difficult to say the exact speed, because there is no speedometer on the boat, but it feels quite good, and there is still a decent wake and waves left behind the boat.

On the day of the test, about 10 people tried the boat, the heaviest weighed about 140 kg, and it withstood it, although of course it was not possible to achieve the speed that was available to us. With a weight of up to 100 kg, the boat moves briskly.

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The Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) is a high-speed means of landing troops from large landing dock ships. It is capable of carrying about 68 tons of payload (up to 75 tons when overloaded). The boat is used to transport weapons systems, equipment, cargo and personnel from the ship to the shore or along the coastline. The main advantage of hovercraft landing craft is that LCACs are capable of navigating swamps and other coastal obstacles while carrying heavy payloads such as the M-1 Abrams tank at high speed, and can be equipped to transport personnel in up to 180 people. The LCAC is capable of performing its assigned mission regardless of water depth, underwater obstacles, shoals or unfavorable tides.

It is capable of floating on a cushion of air despite obstacles up to one and a half meters high and regardless of terrain or topography, including muddy, sand dunes, ditches, swamps, river banks, wet snow or slippery and icy coastlines. Equipment such as trucks and tracked vehicles can be unloaded under their own power via bow and stern ramps, reducing critical unloading time. Thus, the LCAC is capable of landing troops on 70 percent of the world's coastlines, compared to just 17 percent for conventional amphibious assault ships.

LCACs were developed to meet the need for hovercraft capable of delivering troops, artillery, combat equipment, tanks and other essential elements of combat and support equipment to unprepared shores. These hovercraft are based on a custom-built prototype that underwent extensive testing by the US Navy between 1977 and 1981. On June 29, 1987, the LCAC was approved for mass production. In 1989, funding was provided for forty-eight hovercraft landing craft. In 1990, $219.3 million was allocated for the construction of nine more boats, and in 1991, 12 more LCACs were fully funded. In 1992, 24 boats were financed. As of 2001, 91 LCACs had been delivered to the US Navy. The boats were manufactured by Textron Marine and Land Systems/Avondale Gulfport Marine. Shipbuilding company Lockheed was selected on a competitive basis as the second potential manufacturer. LCAC boats 1-12, 15-17, 19, 20, 22-26, 28-30, 37-57, 61-91 were built by Textron Marine and Land Systems; 13, 14, 18, 21, 27, 31-33, 34-36, 58-60 Avondale Gulfport Marine.

LCAC testing was conducted in Panama City, Florida. The LCAC was subsequently tested in California, Australia and Arctic waters. Tests in Alaska in March 1992 included an assessment of the LCAC's operational effectiveness arctic conditions. During the tests, it turned out that LCACs turned out to be ineffective for conducting operations in the Arctic, and even the use of a special kit for cold weather is not able to change the situation. Tests have also shown that in cold temperatures, engine power is increased to the limit of the gearbox, but icing and sea conditions cancel out this benefit. Since then, LCACs have been used in two Arctic exercises, one of which involved operations in temperatures as low as minus 10°C and difficult weather conditions. Based on these exercises, it was decided that there was no need for further trial operation. LCACs have demonstrated the ability to navigate thin ice and open water in fairly calm seas. The distance traveled per exit varied from 4 to 16 km in one direction. Icing occurring under certain conditions required periodic aborts of the mission to remove ice. During testing in the Arctic, JP-5 fuel was used, which alleviates problems with filter clogging. In addition, the LCAC has taken part in a number of minesweeping exercises, where it has proven itself to be a potentially effective shallow water minesweeper.

The LCAC was first deployed in 1987 when landing craft numbers 02, 03 and 04 were taken aboard the USS Germantown (LSD-42). In July 1987, LCAC 04 crossed Buckner Bay, Okinawa, marking the first LCAC landing on foreign soil. LCAC's largest deployment took place in January 1991, when four squadrons of eleven boats deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Landing craft hovercraft users note some similarities between the LCAC and the aircraft. The “pilot” of the boat is located in the “cockpit”, wearing a radio headset. He receives instructions from the air traffic control center located next to the stern gate of the docking ship. While moving, the crew experiences the same sensations as on an airplane during high turbulence. The pilot controls a Y-shaped yoke, his feet are on the control pedals, and he "flies like an air hockey puck." LCAC is also similar to a helicopter, it has six dimensions of motion.

With a machine as expensive and inherently dangerous as the LCAC, common sense and acceptance right decisions play a key role. Concerns about the cost of training, projections for an increase in the number of LCACs and their crews, and high turnover in training units have led the Navy to recognize the importance of developing more accurate methods for selecting candidates. Thus, the turnover of operators and engineers has decreased from an initial level of 40% in 1988 to 10-15% today.

LCAC has had successful combat experience in Somalia, Bangladesh, Liberia, Haiti and Kuwait. He also provided invaluable assistance during disaster relief efforts, including tsunamis and hurricanes.

Thirteen years ago, the US Navy decided to modernize its hovercraft landing craft and extend their service life from 20 to 30 years. The real work began in 2005, and to date 30 amphibious assault ships have been upgraded or are in the midst of it (seven LCACs are currently undergoing this process). The amount of modernization is about $9 million each. Another 72 boats are in service, ten are in reserve (as replacements), and two are used for research and development. The entire process will take more than ten years.

During the modernization process, the engine is replaced (in cases where it is possible to avoid replacement, it is subjected to major renovation), structural elements damaged by corrosion are replaced, and new electronics and other auxiliary equipment are installed.

The C4N (command, control, communications, computers and navigation) system underwent a modernization process, replacing the LN-66 radars with more modern and more powerful P-80 radars. New open architecture electronics based on modern commercial equipment provide the fastest integration of precision navigation systems, new communication systems, etc. The new LED screens and LED keyboards use less power than older cathode ray tubes and lamp-type indicators and generate less heat. In combination with the new air conditioner installed in the command room, this provides the hovercraft crew with improved working conditions. In addition, the engines were upgraded to the ETF-40B configuration, which provides additional power and lift (this is especially important at temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius), reduced fuel consumption, and reduced maintenance intervals.

The body elements susceptible to corrosion were replaced with new, more durable ones made of non-corrosive materials. New skirt air cushion reduces drag, increases performance over water and land, and also eases maintenance requirements. After the above procedures and painting, the modernized boats look like new, but with significant improvements. Retrofitted LCACs are easier to maintain, more reliable and offer better performance.

On July 6, 2012, Textron Inc was awarded a contract to develop a replacement for the LCAC, which was approaching the end of its service life. The new SSC (Ship-to-Shore Connector) landing craft will be an evolutionary replacement for the existing fleet of hovercraft. SSC will enhance the tactical capabilities of over-the-horizon airborne assets. They will have increased reliability and maintainability, reduce the total cost of operation, and will also meet the growing payload requirements of the Marine Expeditionary Battalion-2015 program. The program involves the construction of a total of 73 boats (one for testing and training and 72 for adoption). Deliveries are scheduled for fiscal year 2017 with entry into service in fiscal year 2020.

Performance characteristics:
Length without pillow: 24.9 meters
Length with cushion: 28 meters
Width without cushion: 14.2 meters
Width with cushion: 14.6 meters
Height above surface with cushion: 5.8 meters
Height above ground without cushion: 7.8 meters
Pillow height 1.5 meters
Displacement: 88.6 tons empty; 173-185 tons with full load
Power plant: four Avco-Lycoming TF-40B gas turbines (2 for propulsion / 2 for creation lift) with a capacity of 3955 horsepower each
Propellers: 2 four-blade reversible propellers with adjustable pitch with a diameter of 3.58 meters for propulsion; 4 fans with a diameter of 1.6 meters, centrifugal or mixed flow to create lift
Fuel capacity: 19,000 liters
Average fuel consumption: 3,700 liters per hour
Fully loaded range: 200 miles at 40 knots or 300 miles at 35 knots (90 percent fuel)
Speed ​​at full load in sea state 2: 50 knots (92.6 km per hour)
Speed ​​at full load in sea state 3: 35 knots (64.8 km per hour)
Speed ​​at full load on land: 25 knots (46.3 km per hour)
Load capacity: 68 tons (overloaded 75 tons)
Cargo deck: 20x8.2 meters, 168 sq.m
Crew: 5 people
Accommodation of the crew and landing force: on the starboard side on the upper deck there is a commander, flight engineer, navigator, landing director and landing commander, on the lower deck there are 7 paratroopers; on the left side on the upper deck there is a loading specialist, on the lower deck there is a mechanic and 16 paratroopers
Armament: 2 12.7 mm machine guns; automatic 40-mm grenade launcher Mk-19 Mod3; M-60 machine gun
Navigation equipment: navigation radar Marconi LN 66 with a power of 25 kW, I band, satellite and inertial systems navigation
Radio communications: 2 UHF/VHF radios, HF and portable radios

LCAC availability per day (out of a total of 54)
Day one - 52
Day two - 49
Day three - 46
Day four - 43
Day five - 40
Estimated operating time: 16 hours per day
Exit time when transporting vehicles: 6 hours 8 minutes
Exit time when transporting goods: 8 hours 36 minutes
Number of exits per day when transporting vehicles: 2.6
Total: 104 LCAC outputs per day using 40 LCACs
Number of departures per day when transporting goods: 1.86
Total: 74 LCAC outputs per day using 40 LCACs
Landing force: 145 marines or 180 civilians
Vehicles per exit: 12 HMMWV/ 4 armored personnel carriers/ 2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicles/ 1 M1A1 tank/ 4 M923 trucks/ 2 5-ton M923 trucks and 2 M198 howitzers and 2 HMMWVs
To land an infantry regiment you must:
269 ​​HMMWV - 23 outputs
10 5 ton trucks - 3 outputs
To land a tank battalion:
58 M1A1 - 58 outputs
95 HMMWV - 8 outputs

8 fuel tankers - 4 exits
To land an armored personnel carrier battalion:
110 armored personnel carriers - 28 exits
29 HMMWV - 3 outputs
23 5-ton trucks - 6 outputs
8 fuel tankers - 4 exits

Possibility of basing on dock ships:
LSD class 41 - 4 LCAC
Class LSD 36 - 3 LCAC
Class LHA 1 - 1 LCAC
Class LHD 1 - 3 LCAC
LPD class 4 - 1 LCAC