This is a model I picked up a couple of years ago from eBay. I did start it at the time but something must of distracted me and it joined the pile of half built kits.

These hovercraft were massive cross channel monsters that could carry both vehicles and passengers. They were at their peak in the late seventies but unfortunately eventually fell victim to competition from the channel tunnel and the end of duty free. The last SRN4 was withdrawn from service in October 2000.

Unfortunately I never got to ride one of these over to France but I have been inside both of them at the museum. Luckily living in Portsmouth though means I get to ride the Hover Travel hovercraft any time I fancy visiting the Isle of Wight.

Hovercraft have always fascinated me and my parents used to take me to watch the hovercraft come in at the seafront.

I was actually tempted to start work on this again earlier this year when news of the SRN4 hovercraft being scrapped at the Hovercraft museum was hitting the headlines.

Now having hovercraft on the brain again after being on a special charter for the new Portsmouth - Ryde hovercraft I decided to get cracking on it.

I am dedicating this build to saving the Princess Anne SRN4 hovercraft.

There are two hovercraft at risk of being scrapped at the hovercraft museum with the museum are trying to save the better of the two.

The issue with the craft stems from the fact that they are not owned by the museum and the museum does not own the land they are sitting on.

You can sign a petition to save the hovercraft here.



This kit is one of the older ones from the seventies but looks complete minus the cars.

I will being buying some diecast cars to go in the models car deck.

There are a few pieces that may need repairing and a little guess work involved as a lot of the parts have come loose.



This is where I got to when I first had a go at it. The skirt parts are quite a challenge to fit will need some tidying up.



I have now finished attaching the skirt and after leaving giving these plenty of time to set work can begin on the interior.

Great start on the skirt, look forward to seeing your progress.
Ian

This is different and will be interesting to follow... Travelled on these a few times when based in Germany.. brings back some memories and can say they certainly zipped across the water when they got going....

Regards

Alan