The pictures above show two different hovercrafts taken approximately 74 years apart. The one on the left is the SR.N1 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 1) which had it’s first outing in 1959 and the one on the right is the current Isle of Wight hovercraft ferry carrying passengers from Southsea to Ryde.

It’s important to say that the SR.N1 was the world’s first hovercraft and it was designed and built in the UK.

The SR.N1 pictured above is actually the Mark 2 with an added raised bow to prevent water overflowing onto the deck.

The SR.N1 used one large engine for lift and propulsion. There were two “scoops” inside the tower which took off part of the airflow and directed this to the side channels. In each channel the thrust could then be directed either to the rear or to the front of the craft. The new ferry has, as you can see, separate fans at the rear for propulsion.

The SR.N1 was 30 feet long and 24 feet wide. It was only ever experimental and was never used to carry fare paying passengers.

These two videos above are taken at the Hovercraft Terminal at Cowes, Isle of Wight. The one on the left shows a hovercraft arriving at the terminal with the wind affecting its direction of flight as it approaches. The one on the right shows a hovercraft leaving the terminal.

The SR.N4 was the largest civilian hovercraft ever built, designed to carry 254 passengers in two cabins besides a four-lane automobile bay which held up to 30 cars.