Quote:
Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob
That profile looks like it could be aircraft surplus, but I don't see aircraft speeds to demand it.
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Not aircraft surplus, trust me.
Anything over 30 mph demands aerodynamics in my opinion.
This isn't like a boat displacing water that's 100 times denser than air.
A hovercraft is lubricated from the surface by 1/2" or more of air escaping from the partially captured cushion of air beneath the craft.
I'm pretty sure that craft can do about 50 mph, faster with a tail wind.
EDIT:
Finnish Hovercraft Company Oy
Kaiman-10
https://www.finhov.fi/ilmatyynyalus/kaiman-10/
Quote:
Hinta
Speed
Max. Speed: water 80 km/h
ice and packed snow 120 km/h
Cruising Speed: water 60 km/h
ice and packed snow 70 km/h.
(Max. speed is dependant on weather and operation platform condition)
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EDIT-2
I did a conversion online
80 km/h = 49.7097 mph
120 km/h = 74.5645 mph
Cruising speed on water 60 km/h = 37.2823 mph
Aerodynamics would certainly become a factor.
If I posted other hovercraft you would recognize just how special this craft is, many of the other ones are crude looking by comparison.
EDIT-3
https://christyhovercraft.com/compan...manufacturing/
These are two different makes, and the Christy above (Russian) was formerly one of the cleanest designs, it's been displaced by the Finnish hovercraft below.
https://www.finhov.fi/ilmatyynyalus/kaiman-10/
The British Griffon isn't a slouch, but most of their models are boxy, but getting better all the time.
Griffon Hoverwork 995ED
https://www.griffonhoverwork.com/995ed
Looks like future models will be following suit.
http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/griff...50-429411.html