Hovercraft on the road?!

[dougc]

We built a Hovercraft at school out of an old Yamaha 250 with the gearbox cut off.

It was faster off the mark than my woodwork teacher's Yugo.

[oldsoak]

Déjà vu anyone?^^

[SystemParanoia]

Best of both worlds ?

[MrLou]

SystemParanoia said:

Best of both worlds ?

I can't make it out very well but that looks like a turbofan mounted on a hovercraft.

If so, the rider is brave. The consequences of digging the front end in, getting thrown off forwards and then being gobbled up by said turbofan would be pretty serious (though hopefully quick).

As they say; the biggest mistakes hurt, but only for a second.

[SystemParanoia]

its ok... he's wearing a helmet

[screem]

SystemParanoia said:

its ok... he's wearing a helmet

Dont laugh. You'd be surprised what diference a helmet can make!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF3Iz7b95-8

[MrLou]

screem said:

SystemParanoia said:

its ok... he's wearing a helmet

Dont laugh. You'd be surprised what diference a helmet can make!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF3Iz7b95-8

Not many people can do that and live to talk about it.

[dudleybloke]

when i was younger i was supposed to go to france on the big hoverspeed craft but the weather was bad so had to go by boat.

Unfortunatly it looks like i missed my chance forever.

[Robert060379]

Reminds me of a time I was on my mountain bike and hit a speed ramp flat out and landed about ten feet further up the road. The Police officer behind me pulled me over and asked to see my "pilots licence". I showed him my PPL and he went back to the car with his tail between his legs.

[CommanderJameson]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

They Certainly used to cross the road



Linky for the Maps

I went on that as a boy. Marvellous. Dad tried to have a cup of tea but ended up wearing it.

A sad day when they stopped them.

[skwdenyer]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

My Dad used to 'fly' them out of there !
naaahananaha

He used to fly them up and down the Thames, Cross Channel and even Island hoping around Bahamas
bd !

There is a picture of me somewhere at the helm on his lap. no Idea where though....

Presumably "somewhere" is in the prosecution evidence bundle

[skwdenyer]

Thanks for the replies, which have been interesting, but do not seem to have spoken to the original issue - what's the legal situation of "driving" down the road in a hovercraft?

Absent any clear legal impediment, I'm getting tempted by this idea

[AlexVTR]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

As for the picture, I can just see the phone call to my Mum:
"Yeah some guys on the internet..... Custard ....... Photo of me as a boy.... etc "

Exactly what sprung to my mind also

[don4l]

dudleybloke said:

when i was younger i was supposed to go to france on the big hoverspeed craft but the weather was bad so had to go by boat.

Unfortunatly it looks like i missed my chance forever.

If you are quick, you can still have a go on one.

http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/

Don
--

[PottyMouth]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

They Certainly used to cross the road



Linky for the Maps

There's a speed camera about 100 yds up on the left from there.

Would love to see one of them set it off!

[The Wookie]

dougc said:

We built a Hovercraft at school out of an old Yamaha 250 with the gearbox cut off.

It was faster off the mark than my woodwork teacher's Yugo.

To be fair, Lisa Tarbuck is probably faster off the mark than your average Yugo

[Mazda Baiter]

Robert060379 said:

Reminds me of a time I was on my mountain bike and hit a speed ramp flat out and landed about ten feet further up the road. The Police officer behind me pulled me over and asked to see my "pilots licence". I showed him my PPL and he went back to the car with his tail between his legs.

[Sixpackpert]

To be honest I don't think you can be done for driving one on the road.

You really wouldn't want to though. Craft are very controllable in the right hands but there are too many variables. Gusty winds blowing you off course. Going over a drain will lose your cushion (I know this through experience). Road camber will push you to the kerb or into oncoming traffic. Stopping quickly. The list can go on and on.

I have raced and cruised hovercraft for many years so have a bit of experience. I also have a mate who is a pilot on the Isle of Wight craft.

ETA: Just thought of another problem, dust and stones will be blown up and you will get peppered with it something chronic as it is sucked past you by the fan! Solved by wearing a helmet but pretty unpleasant for bystanders tbh.

Edited by Sixpackpert on Friday 9th April 10:51

[SystemParanoia]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiUqNWZ6Kas


nobody will notice

[Sixpackpert]

From the annual trip up the Rhone.

Some sections have to be passed on roads.

Nice bit of dust http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHrQzpi97WY