SR-N1

The Saunders-Roe Nautical One (SR-N1) was the first practical hovercraft.

It was designed by Christopher Cockerell and built by Saunders-Roe on the Isle of Wight. It first flew on 11 June 1959 in front of the assembled press showing its capability to cross both land and water.

On the 25 July 1959, the 50th anniversary of Louis Blériots cross channel flight, the SR-N1 crossed the English Channel from Calais to Dover in just over 2 hours. the crew were Captain Peter Lamb (pilot), John Chaplin (navigator) and Christopher Cockerell.

The SR-N1 later had a flexible skirt added in 1961 which greatly improved the effective depth of the air cushion. The following year a Bristol-Siddeley Viper jet engine replaced the piston propulsion engine giving it a top speed of 50 knots instead of 35 kt.

The SR.N1 is held by the Science Museum at Wroughton. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/07/in_pictures_technology0s_hidden_past/html/10.stm]