October 2012 by 'Sarah Gill

HOVERCRAFT Light

October 2012

The official magazine of the

Hovercraft Club of Great Britain www.hovercraft.org.uk

The Hov Pod is a 3-seat factory assembled personal leisure cruising hovercraft No kits available, sorry. Commercial craft available.

For further details Web-site www.hovpod.com Email sales@hovpod.com

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October12 inside

There is only one way I can start this… and that is to say farewell to one of our own, Michael Feulner. The Feulner family has lost a son, brother, husband and father. On receiving the tragic news on the Friday evening, we joined the feeling of disbelief and sadness, which would have swept through the hovercraft fraternity across the world. I personally didn’t have the pleasure of meeting Michael, but I’m certain many reading this will have known him and the family, however I’m certain we are united in our grief for the family’s loss. Rest in Peace Michael Feulner.

showdown… staring back-to-back British Champion Nick Drew, the returning Lee Willars, and after his strong showing at the Big Lake Extravaganza Sacha Rouchier…. However the script was promptly ripped up by Fabien Santoulangue, who disappeared into the distance, to take the title, Nick settling for 2nd and Lee 3rd. Jake Cooper and his mid engine craft stole the show in F35. The dominant Swedish driver, Lucas Hall, collected the junior title. Team GB’s Nils Atkins and Callum Beale slugging it out for a hard fought but well-earned second and third positions respectively.

September saw Team GB head to Saalburg in the search of World glory, I have to say productivity at both work and home dipped for me during this period, watching the Worlds best fight it out, and by Christ did they fight it out…. The F1 time trials saw the returning Paul Hibbard remind us of his craft and skill when behind the handle bars, with some eye catching laps of controlled aggression. However the honours were taken by Michael Metzner, showing faultless skill and craft, matched with speed to hold off the advances of 2010 Champion, Miki Scanavino. GB’s Dan Turnbull lead Paul Hibbard and Daniel Newton, in fifth, sixth and seventh, with Conrad Beale in ninth. After the events of Friday the brave F2 drivers continued, and put on a show well worth watching, with our own Kevin Eastwood finishing a very credible fifth place, with Fred Wilson coming in ninth in his 503 powered craft. Personally I was eagerly waiting for the F50

I think a very special mention should go to Chris Barlow. Chris once again blew the dust off the Raptor hull and collected his third consecutive FS World Crown. Personally I think this is a fantastic achievement, and I’m no gambling man, but I’m certain he’ll be back for more in two years time!! Welldone Chris!!! Following Chris into second position was the RS 250 powered F3 Raptor of Jamie Lewendon. Doing it for the girls, so to speak, the returning Laura Broad collected fourth overall in FS, with Broni Black taking a deserved fifth.

04 Diary It’s a date 05 Chairman’s Desk The latest update from our chairman Letters to the editor Kieth Rhodes 06 Hovercraft federation Tony Drake

I think a special mention should also go to our own ‘fourth’ emergency service…. The boys and girls whom don the orange!!! Watching from a far it looked like we had sent a full compliment of our orange people to marshal the event, without them the whole thing wouldn’t happen!

07 You can race this craft Daniel Turnbull Midland’s Fun Night Daniel Turnbull 08 Snippets Catherine Lucas 10 Mid 80’s Michael Feulner

And like all those listening and watching at home, I doth my cap to the Tech Team and commentators for taking the time to make us feel like part of the event! Back in blighty’ the rearranged event at Claydon House rounded off the National Season, with the Chilterns once again pulling out the stops for a great weekend, they even managed to organise a rare ‘rain free’ weekend!!! Through the winter months

‘We need your HELP!!’

You, the readers and club members make this magazine what it is, we are only the facilitators!! So during the long winter months why not write about your hovercraft experiences, stories, facts and general chit chat!!! We are happy to include anything, obviously within reason. You can email information for our attention to; magazine@hovercraft.org.uk And finally an Editorial sorry,,,, Last months cover photo of Lee Willars in his Lightning McQueen decorated Eagle, was mistakenly attributed to the photography of Clive Mason. However as Clive rightly points out he was chasing Lee at that point, and the photo was actually taken by his wife, and our’ lovely’ Race Director, Claire Mason, our apologies! Now we really shouldn’t upset the Race Director now should we!?!?!?

12 In loving memory Michael Feulner

18 Across the pond Jeremy Ludlow

14 Profiles Our champions

19 Hovercraft industry Russ Pullen

16 Race Report Roger Drew

20 Merchandise Jo Discoll

17 Hover News Brian J. Russel

21 Crafts for sale www.hovercraft.org.uk

11 40 Years ago Granville Spedding

Cover Pic: Michael Feulner Photo: Lex van Schaik www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Diary 2013 MARCH 9-10

AUGUST 5-11

AGM and Symposium Hilton Hotel, Northampton www.hovercraft.org.uk

Proposed Internationl Championship Antalya/Turkey - Europe www.hovercraft.org.uk

MAY 4-6

AUGUST 17-24

Possible Race Meeting TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

North West Highland Cruise Lochcarron, Isle of Skye www.hovercraft.org.uk

MAY 25-27

AUGUST 24-26

National Race Meeting Hackett Lakes, Notts www.hovercraft.org.uk

National Race Meeting Gang Warily, Fawley www.hovercraft.org.uk

JUNE 15-16

SEPTEMBER 7-8

National Race Meeting Cholmondeley Castle, Malpas www.hovercraft.org.uk

National Race Meeting Rother Valley, Sheffield www.hovercraft.org.uk

JUNE 29-30

SEPTEMBER 21-22

Possible Race Meeting TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

National Race Meeting Towcester Racecourse www.hovercraft.org.uk

JULY 13-14

OCTOBER 5-6

Possible Race Meeting TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

JULY 27-28 Possible Race Meeting TBA www.hovercraft.org.uk

Whilst every attempt is made to keep calender items up to date, some calender items may alter after print or the Editor is not made aware of changes-please check relevant UK or European websites for most up to date calenders. If you know of any changes or updates, or wish an event to be listed, then please contact the Editor at magazine@hovercraft.org.uk

LightHovercraft Published by The hovercraft Club of Great Britain Ltd www.hovercraft.org.uk Editors Darren Clarke Sarah Gill Distribution Roger Allman Tel: 07765 303755 Contributions Last date for contributions is the 20th of a month.

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Printed by ADH printing 2 Boyne Rise Kingsworthy Winchester Hants SO23 7RE Advertising Rates Issues 1 3 Size 1/4 pg £9 £26 1/2 pg £17 £49 Full pg £33 £95

12 £95 £184 £357

Contact the Editor for details at magazine@hovercraft.org.uk

Small adverts are free to HCGB members and run for three issues unless reqested otherwise. The opinions expressed in any item or article in this magazine are those of the contributor. They do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions or policies of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain Ltd. The entire contents of Light Hovercraft are copyright and permission to reproduce any part must be sought from the Editor. While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication, we do not accept any responsibility for any inaccuracy.

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The Chairman’s Desk Chapter Seventeen, reflection

It is very early on a Wednesday morning (well after the magazine deadline) that I am writing this chapter. The last race meeting of the summer season has been run and the plans for next race season are well under way. Cruising events are regularly run by Russ Pullen but we could do with more hosts for events in other areas of the country. If you have access to water and somewhere to park the trailers and campers, there are several members who would love to come and explore. Please contact Russ. Arrangements are in process for several ‘Hover-in’ and charity events for the next year as well. Team GB had some success at the World Championships in Saarlburg but it was overshadowed by the tragic loss of Michael Feulner in an accident. Our condolences were sent to the family. There should be a report by Tony Drake included in this issue of the magazine. It is interesting to hear of the number of members who have industrious plans to build fantastic hovercraft through the winter. How come so many people are feverishly working on their craft a week before the start of the racing season when there are over six months to use before then. The annual round of committee meetings is due to take place soon. The Scrutineers and Competitions committees are being held on the same date (am and pm). Sarah and Darren need magazine articles to publish so please keep sending them. If you wish to discuss anything, my contact details are at the back of the magazine. Chris

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear editor, I’d like to pass on my gratitude to southern branch for honouring me with the Tony Vindall Memorial Trophy. This came as a very unexpected and welcome accolade and I both express my thanks to those who were kind enough to think of me, and also to Kristina and our wider family who very much support me and what we try to achieve. www.hovercraft.org.uk

I am only sorry I couldn’t be there to accept it but as many know I am (well on the way to) recovering from surgery. Fawley was just to far for me to travel at that time. Many people do many things for HCGB and for the most part those people don’t get the pat on the back they all deserve, and in fairness there are many others equally if not more deserving of this award than I.

Kristina and I wish all a happy winter season and we look forward to 2013 and getting back to racing. With my kindest regards especially to all in southern branch Keith Rhodes.

So in accepting it I offer out my own vote of thanks and gratitude to all the members who give a little or a lot to make what we do generally (weather excepted) a very pleasant experience in a spirit of camaraderie. LightHovercraft 05

Michael Feulner. It is my sad duty to report the following: You may already be aware that during the World Hovercraft Championships held in Saalburg, Michael Feulner of Germany tragically died following a three craft collision in an F2 race. He died instantly from major and catastrophic internal injuries (he did not drown or have a heart attack as some rumours would have it). Our deepest sympathies go to Michael’s family and friends. The incident arose when three craft were close together on the racing line on the first land to water transition. Both engines of the lead craft 206 driven by Wayne Hill cut out on the land immediately before the water. Craft 216 driven by Michael Feulner went over craft 206 at considerable speed forcing it into the water. The craft and driver of craft 216 was then struck with force by craft 213 driven by Constance Metzner who was closely following. A red flag was immediately shown and two marshals were at the scene of the accident within 4.2 seconds of it happening and pulled Michael from the wreckage. Paramedics were on the scene shortly after but were unable to revive Michael for reasons we now know. The police immediately sealed off the craft and scene and began collecting information, evidence and statements. Within a short time they had two senior accident investigators on site. Within a few hours the police formed an interim view that in all probability it was a racing incident and they would allow the Championships to continue. After considering the wishes of the Feulner family that the event should continue a vote was taken by the countries present, and the marshals, which indicated that they were prepared to continue. This persuaded the local authorities and LightHovercraft 06

politicians to allow the event to resume which it did on Saturday. Some drivers decided they could not continue and they should not be criticised in any way for their decision The police investigations were thorough and incisive ranging from documentation - driving licences; log books; scrutineering records; insurance etc., safety procedures, drivers safety equipment - crash helmets; buoyancy aids and race clothing. The three craft were taken away for examination by police experts who were accompanied by the WHF Technical Director, Jamie Lewendon. Craft 206 was very severely damaged, sustaining major damage to rudders, duct, fan frame, exhaust and some creasing and damage to the hull around the duct mounting, and tie bars. The damage to Craft 216 was limited to minor damage to the GRP around the front, and a crease mark in the hull around the tie bar mounting points. Craft 213 had a crumpled front end, broken lift frame but the lift fan was intact, lift engine exhaust broken off and there was a crease mark in the hull from side to side across the centre of the craft. (It should be noted that the accident investigators were on record as stating how impressed they were with, and grateful for, the input from the WHF Technical Director). The final conclusion from the police and relevant authorities was that tragically Michael Feulner died as the result of a hovercraft racing accident and that no fault was found with the drivers, organisation, marshal support or safety procedures, and more importantly no criminal prosecutions would follow. After a somewhat subdued presentation ceremony a delegation from the WHF, Marshals, F2 Drivers and many others quietly laid flowers on the water at the scene of the accident and paid their

last respects to Michael. The WHF has decided to donate their Championship driver’s levy of 495 Euro to the Feulner family. (It is customary in Germany to give a donation for funeral expenses to the family). I am sure we will come through this tragedy stronger than before and that in itself will be a tribute to Michael. There is much we have and will continue to learn from this incident. The quality of driving on Saturday and Sunday at the World Championships had a marked change ~ no less competitive but just that little bit “cleaner” without hopeless chances being taken AND no red flags. The WHF will certainly be reviewing all of its safety requirements a policies. This time we were not found wanting but it so easily could have been otherwise. It is likely that crash helmet requirements will have to be strengthened, high quality body protection may be required but above all the adherence to all our racing regulations, craft construction requirements and safety procedures must be more robust if we are to minimise the risk of another death or serious injury from hovercraft racing. In conclusion this was a very, very tragic racing accident with a fatal result and no blame can or should be apportioned to anyone.

Tony M Drake, JP. WHF President.

www.hovercraft.org.uk

YOU CAN RACE THIS HOVERCRAFT This could be you! Learn to drive, compete, and gain that crucial experience of racing before you purchase your own machine. Two craft are available that have been specifically built for new members to have a go at racing. They are simple single engined craft suitable for new Novices and Juniors, and are available at most race meetings. The skill and insight you gain will be valuable in deciding what type of craft you may wish to build or buy in future. These craft come with their own trailer, and have a race kit of spares and consumables to see you through a race weekend. You will need to provide: • towbar and number-plate • helmet • buoyancy aid/life jacket • overalls and gloves • petrol • race entry fee • boundless enthusiasm!

For more information on hovercraft visit http://www.hovercraft.org.uk

Midland’s Branch Fun Night Everyone is invited to the annual Midland’s Branch Fun Night on Saturday 8th December 2012 at the Barrowupon-Soar Conservative Club, LE12 8QA from 7.30pm

Knock-out skittles competition, quiz, buffet and raffle – all monies raised to Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. Any donations of raffle prizes gratefully received.

Hot food and drink are often available on site. Warm waterproof clothing is recommended suitable for the British weather. At least one change of clothes is recommended, you may well get wet. A donation towards the upkeep of the craft is recommended at £50 for a 2 day race meeting.

Tickets for the event are £8.50 for adults and £5 for under 16s – this includes a buffet and entry into the skittles competition.

Club Membership and provisional Novice racing Licence will be required. Get membership at www.hovercraft.org.uk, you will need to register, and then add a paid subscription. Buy your Novice racing licence from the Racing Services area in the club shop, which can also be accessed from www.hovercraft.org.uk Any queries contact memberservices@hovercraft.org.uk You will also need to pass a manoeuvrability test before racing.

Contact Dan Turnbull by 30th November 2012 on 01332 700658 or danielturnbull@btinternet. com

If you would like a go or to find out more, contact Daniel Turnbull (craft number 1) Tel 01332 700658 danielturnbull@btinternet.com

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Snippets from the Worlds 2012 I attended the world Championships in Sallburg to help out with lap scoring in race control. I travelled with Conrad and Callum Beale, unfortunately Louise Beale was unable to attend, so I had promised her I’d look after her ‘boys’ for her. I would like to share with you a few of my memories from the week………

Day one: Sunday With the Camper fully loaded with a supply of pot noodles, a laminated menu card (provided by Louise), and various bits of engines, Conrad, Callum and I set off at 8am aiming for a midday Ferry from Dover to Dunkirk. Several packets of sweets later we arrived on time, the Ferry however was delayed. Standing around in the queue we got chatting to our neighbours who mentioned they knew someone who was going out to the hovercraft racing but weren’t sure if he was taking his craft or how he was getting there. To cut a long story short turns out they were talking about Bernie Hook and asked if we knew him, I informed them that Bernie was already in Europe somewhere with my daughter Jess and her boyfriend Ricky (small world isn’t it!). On arrival in France the mammoth road trip began. Conrad reminded himself to drive on the right, the rock tunes were blasting and off we set, stopping once for petrol and once for a tuna sandwich. Our arrival at the site was at 2.30am, pulling up alongside the Lewendon/Black convoy who had arrived an hour previously and were snoring away in various tents/motor homes.

Day two: Monday Up at 7am to unload craft into the paddock and find the real campsite. Being part of the Castol team Conrad and Callum put Callum’s craft in the rather large Castrol tent; the rest of the British clan claimed one side of the paddock. Next stop was the campsite, collecting LightHovercraft 08

Nicky and her camping gear (she’d been deserted after having a lie in) on the way. Once I’d put the tent up time was spent lazing around in the sun, reading and chatting to friends. After registering and receiving our barcoded passes, Karen, Callum and I decided to venture further afield and find the local shop, which was a ten minute walk up the road and sold very nice ice creams. Conrad had spent the day spannering in the Castrol tent (nothing new there then!), so after discovering that he had no time for dinner, I fed Callum (meal one on the laminated sheet) and headed off to the entertainment tent, where they served Beer, Beer and more Beer (lots of choice.... not!). Meeting and greeting friends old and new was the flavour of the evening, by the end which I seemed to have found my way to the French marquee in the campsite….. all I can say is it was a late night and the French had some very nice wine…. Day three: Tuesday Up at 7am, today the morning was spent walking around the site getting my bearings and working out where things were. Clive and Lee tried to convince me that if I gave the security people my nectar card, every time they scanned my pass I’d get nectar points (pull the other one guys it’s got bells on). Susan and I were given a timetable detailing when our help was needed in Race Control - according to the schedule Susan and Claire had Friday off, I had Saturday off and Claire also had Sunday off (something about a birthday....). Once Susan and I had translated the programme into English and stuck it on the marshals fridge for all to see and had sent lunch up to the Paddock for the ‘boys’, Callum, Sarah, Susan, Karen and I walked up to the shop / village where we found the very nice ice-cream parlour that had been recommended by Tony Drake. The evening was the opening ceremony, whilst waiting outside the entertainment tent the wind picked up blowing the umbrellas across the decking; these were promptly rescued by Matt and Pete Gill. Unfortunately some of the camper awnings in the campsite were beyond rescuing. Due to the rain that then decided to lash down, the fireworks for the opening ceremony were cancelled. But the rest of the opening ceremony went without a hitch, each countries drivers went up on stage and although a little smaller that usual, the British team was probably still the biggest. After the drivers the dancing girls arrived… from a womans point of view they were ok, however after song three got a little boring, until Wayne H bit the bullet and joined them on stage…I think a few marshals (and Sue G) may have encouraged him slightly… Day Four: Wednesday Up at 7am again to discover that Conrad

had invited Michele Scanavino to stay with him and Callum in the motor home, so now I seemed to have gained another ‘world’s husband’ to care for. After seeing that race control was in the air (a container, on top a second container for the Tech Team), with some very small windows, Susan, Claire and I worked out that the best option would be to attempt to do time trials outside, as the amount of people usually needed for the manual backup would not be able to fit in and see out of the window. We waited in anticipation for the afternoon to discover how time trials would be done. Turns out there were eventually five of us to juggle stopwatches, clipboards, paper (one sheet per craft) pens and the radio, allowing only five craft out onto the course at any one time, which was fine for the F35’s as that’s how many there were. After enlisting the help of Anne Cooper and Yasin (the electronic timing man who manually clocked 5 craft at a time on the PC) we moved indoors (good move as it started raining), now we were able to allow ten craft at any one time so we could deal with the madness of F50 and FS time trials. By this point Susan, Claire and I had worked out that we probably wouldn’t actually get those ‘days off’...... After feeding Callum, Jess, Ricky and Bernie (no Con or Michele as they were again too busy for dinner) we headed up to the entertainment marquee, where a band was playing and people were sampling small bottles of spirits, I was under the impression that one of my daughters seemed to be a ring leader for this exercise, there were a few sore heads in the morning, with various people stating they would never drink again. However, fun was had by all involved. Day Five: Thursday Up at 7am (why can’t I stay in bed???). As we were not needed in race control until the afternoon, Susan and I prepared the veg for the marshals tea (hats off to Heather for organising enough food to feed the five thousand). News soon reached the campsite that Nick Drew had been involved in an incident in the thrust test area and had been taken off to hospital, he returned later in the day with a broken heel in an air cast. Bad luck also went Dan Turnbull’s way when he was involved in a collision during practice which resulted in the back corner of his craft in pieces. The afternoon involved two more sets of time trials and the first two F35 races, the whole of race control cheered when Krzysztof Szafran managed to complete his first lap, Jake won both of the races giving him a good lead in the points. The whole of my little ‘Worlds Family’ managed to cook/eat dinner as one unit for the first time in the evening, then again it was over to the entertainment marquee for beer and dancing, the British doing the YMCA and the French stage diving onto outstretched arms and being passed down the line (an act not for the faint hearted), www.hovercraft.org.uk

the traditional ‘conga’ was performed, as was dancing on tables. Day six: Friday Up at 7am for the first day of racing, both the ‘husbands’ were running round like headless chickens getting ready to leave for the day, Castrol clothing is all the same and between the pair of them they seem to have been sharing one Castrol jacket. Watching them work this fact out was like watching Morecombe and Wise, very amusing. Nick took his craft out in practice and decided the cast on his leg did not impair his racing performance that much, this theory was proved correct when he won his first heat. By this point I had taken over the running of race control, and the British lap scorers (Claire and Susan) had opted for the outside view, so wearing their sunglasses they got sand blasted whist compiling a lap chart / running list. Inside Race Control was the German / Dutch contingent, comprising Christel Martins, Corinna Heinze and the Electronic timing trio. My role within this team was to check points / heats, post points / heats on the side of the container and keep the supply of sweets flowing (pretty similar to a UK National then!). During the Formula 2 race there was a tragic racing accident, in which Michael Feulner sadly died. This incident was dealt with by the marshal team expertly, everyone involved did as much as was physically possible. Various meetings ensued and it was decided to ask the drivers what they wanted to do, each country held their own drivers meeting, each driver making a decision that was right for them. After a WHF meeting it was announced that racing was cancelled for the day and that the majority of drivers wished to continue, so we would begin racing again in the morning. It was also conveyed that the Feulner Family wished the racing to continue in Michael’s memory. The evening was spent in the camp site, the mood a sombre one, everyone coming to terms with what had happened in their own ways. Day seven: Saturday Up at 7am (some sort of routine occurring here), Junior time trials had been rescheduled for today and at drivers briefing the juniors were eager to get started (most of them having been on site all week, without so much as a skirt entering the race course). After drivers briefing we held a one minute silence for Michael. Practice began and junior time trials ran straight after. For some reason Keith Oakley was not broadcasting the junior qualifying, so I had an anxious mother (in the shape of Louise) texting me from the UK. Several text messages (and bits of dropped paper) later and she knew the results. Callum had got 5th place on the grid. Racing ran smoothly during the first session, one poignant moment www.hovercraft.org.uk

was the start of the F2 race, engines were held quiet and a one minute silence was observed. My daughter Tamsin then started the race with the German flag rather than the traffic lights, a fitting tribute to a racer.

Callum finished the days racing in 4th place, and once back in the campsite I asked the juniors that were in the camper how the day had been for them, they told me it had been an exhausting but satisfying day, they wished the boats wouldn’t drive over the lake every other lap as it was scary driving over waves. Christian said he was sick of changing seggies, Nils was annoyed because he was only one second slower than Lucas, but he was really happy with second for the day, Sarah said she’d had an interesting day being sandwiched between the Swedish. Callum just kept saying ‘Bananas’ and driving everyone crazy (however in between mouthfuls of pot noodle he did manage to divulge that he’d had a good day). A lot of people ate in the entertainment marquee in the evening, something to do with not catering for Saturday as they believed there was to be a driver’s meal (this was never the case). Entertainment for the evening had been cancelled but nobody minded. It was nice to be able to actually talk to people and discuss things without trying to talk over loud music. During my meal I sat next to a very amusing gentleman by the name of Andrew Wiggin (some of you may know him), he was beaming from ear to ear and told me…. “I’m on the front row, don’t you know”, as he was coming 9th overall in the F50, in his next heat he was situated on the front row. I reminded him that he had to know which way to go if he started at the front and he reassured me that he would be fine. On returning to the campsite, I discovered some French people (team Lallemand) sitting with the marshals in the marshal tent, after some brilliant translation from Mark Coles I was able to convince Gregory Lallemand (who’d so far had no points in F1) that as I worked in race control I could give him as many points as he wanted the next day, he seemed quite happy with this proposal and asked for 100 points.

arrived and I thought I’d treat my ‘world’s family’ to a cake (it was Louise’s birthday after all). Once the cakes were delivered to the paddock, Anita filmed a birthday message for Louise to go out on the live feed during the break (along with umpteen others she managed to record). Today was less hectic in race control as Margret Heinze was helping with checking the points (I had also made sure that Claire had the day off, seeing as though it was her birthday). I spent my time in the first session running up and down the stairs between race control and the live feed container as Louise back in the UK was having trouble viewing. I even managed to steal the microphone from Anita and add a bit of commentary during the junior race (however I suddenly realised what I was doing and quickly handed it back). After the junior race I updated Louise via text that her son was currently in 3rd place, and there was one point separating him and Linnus (who was in 4th), she replied to my text with an ‘OMG’. After the last race her text reply was… ‘Brilliant birthday present’. So the boy did good, as did all the winners. Prize giving was an emotional affair all round, with some excellent singing of the national anthems. The trophies the winners received were stunning. I particularly enjoyed watching Lee Willars’ entrance onto the stage, and Maia Barlow looked like she enjoyed her shoulder ride. The ceremony culminated with all drivers descending upon the stage, whilst Queens ‘we are the champions’ played full volume. After the prize giving ceremony, we headed down to the lake where the Marshals, the F2 drivers and the WHF Officials threw flowers into the lake in memory of Michael Feulner. And so another World Championships was has been an gone. A week of mixed emotions, of tears and laughter, of memories that will not be forgotten. I was very proud of my ‘little world’s family’ for their achievements and I was very glad that my real family (Tamsin, Jess and Ricky) were there too. I was also overwhelmed by the strength and courage of the marshalling team and everyone else involved. All that remained was the journey home (and for the record….only one pot noodle was consumed all week, and that was by Callum!...oh, and at least 4 people during the week called me Louise......!) Catherine Lucas

Day 8: Sunday Up at 7.05am (a lie in....). The morning started with discussing Callum’s aims in his forthcoming races over a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie. The daily bread van LightHovercraft 09

Mid 80’s Right: Michael Feulner: “Give me a ticket for an aeroplane” Below: Michael Feulner from Bamberg, W.Germany. He is one of five hovering brothers and successful with Rotax 534 wc powered Osprey Kestrel, designed and manufactured by Kip McCollum

Below: Dieter Hesse (348) at Mering: He designed a new alu-thrust unit for his four year old Moto Cyclone.

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Forty Years Ago – Granville Spedding The last edition of “Forty Years Ago” was delayed as the Magazine was full of so many and varied articles. So the reports for the rest of 1972 will now be rather condensed.

First Hovercraft Fatality The April “Hover Club News” reported the fatal accident of an SR-N6 012 on the Southsea to Ryde service ON 4TH March. By this date over 2,000,000 had been carried both ways in all sorts of conditions. The craft overturned off Southsea with a loss of five lives, including one person missing presumed drowned. This was the world’s first fatal accident involving a commercially operated hovercraft, and the first fatal accident involving a hovercraft in the United Kingdom. The craft en-route from Ryde to Southsea was hit by a very large freak wave, after a strong beam wind against an adverse tide combined to produce a dangerous beam sea. The hovercraft overturned about quarter of a mile offshore. After rescuing all visible survivors, the hovercraft was towed ashore at Southsea.

water and sand on the ‘craft.

Would You Believe This?

The club secretary at the time was making tentative enquiries with Hire Purchase companies to secure loans for members to buy amateur hovercraft or engines. There were three conditions. - Applications had to go through the Hover Club. - The loan was for not less that £150. - The applicant had to satisfy the loan company’s conditions. The Club was acting as broker between purchaser and supplier. By applying though the Club the Loan Company had the guarantee that the craft/engine being purchased satisfied the Club’s safety standards. It also, so was said, eliminated any undesirables having the ownership of a craft made easier!

The Portland Rally Weymouth Beach.

Ron Fishlock and his new ‘craft ‘Mistral’

The wind was the deciding factor over the week-end, and Geoff Harding proved his superiority at racing which included this heart-stopping incident. The course was five laps of a mile each; after 1½ laps his craft packed up due to wind and wave, but he was determined to finish his second lap – it took 1½ hours and a drift of about 3 miles to restart his engine and streak past the finishing line.

Unfortunately for the first national rally of the 1972 season the planned

Club Membership to Date It was reported that by counties there were 387 members of the club in May ’72, paying £3.00 for an adult membership and £4.50 for a family. The subscription year was from March and there was quite a complicated membership arrangement whereby joining later in the year reduced subs were paid. This method was abandoned in favour of a rolling membership in my early days as a member of Council.

National Rallies and Petrol Comments like this one can only elicit a remark like “I wish”. “Once again BP is giving a generous petrol allowance for our National Rallies. We extend our thanks to BP who have made one conditions which will be strictly enforced, namely that all craft display two BP shields. These stickers will be available at all the rallies”. Those green and yellow shields were displayed on craft for many years to come I remember. www.hovercraft.org.uk

Spectators had a grandstand view

Helping Hands Paddock – Weymouth Beach Easter 1972

venue of Portland Harbour had to be abandoned because of the bad weather. The comparative calm of the beach at Weymouth was used instead. The shortage of craft was only to be expected at the begin-

A letter from John Gifford thanked the vast number of people who helped him when “Hum Bug’s” thrust engine decided not to start. He wrote “I feel that’s one of the good points of the Hover Club, everyone is willing to help people who have problems”. As you all will know this has always been one of the most important aspects of our Club – the willingness to help our rivals get their craft back on the track. There is no point in racing against one’s self! More next time, including a very special occasion. Thanks for reading.

Caliban IV and Nigel Beale’s Cyclone

(Note: Photograph reproduction gets better in later magazines)

ning of the season, but probably also were concerns about the effect of salt LightHovercraft 11

LightHovercraft 12

www.hovercraft.org.uk

In Memoriam Michael Feulner On 14/09/2012 Michael Feulner (54) tragically passed away from injuries sustained during an accident in a Formula 2 race of the World Hovercraft Championships at the Bleilochtalsperre Saalburg, Thuringia. Michael leaves a wife and five children. Hovercraft sport has always been very important to the Feulner family. In the 70’s brothers Michael and Andrew were founding members of Germany’s oldest hovercraft club in Bamberg. Andreas Feulner (47) can look back on four world championship titles in Formula 1. His brother Michael also raced, but particularly enjoyed the family atmosphere of the hovercraft racing scene and they both travelled to various racing events worldwide. After a serious accident at a European Championship in England in the late 90’s Michael was less involved in the sport and concentrated more on his career in the timber industry. Michael’s nephew worked on the old hovercraft so that it could race again in France in the summer of 2012. This was the spark that re-kindled Michael’s passion all over again. The World Championships in his own country should have been the stage for Michael Feulner’s comeback into Hovercraft racing. His dream ended tragically. Our thoughts are with his widow and children, as well as all members of the Feulner family.

www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Champions! Jake Cooper F35 - UK

Date of Birth 20/01/55 Co Director of HXBP Consultants Ltd. I work as a Dental Advisor to Leicestershire Primary Care Trust, I advise the PCT on dental commissioning i.e. tell them where we need more dentists, expanding services in hospitals, help with complaints from patients. Sit in on meetings about dentists who have been misbehaving etc. Help negotiate new contracts. I also run a smallholding, business park and Co Director with Chris Daly on High Cross Hovercraft Ltd I joined the Hovercraft club with my younger brother I think it must have been the late 70’s. We had gone to the boat show at Earls Court and as we walked through the entrance foyer, there was a display stand with a video of hovercraft racing (one’s with twin ducts) we started talking to the guys on the stand and joined on the spot. However university training and hospital jobs etc got in the way so it wasn’t until early 2002 when the girls, Tamsin, Natalie, Rebecca and I had a go at LLeyn Hovercrafts in North Wales and we were hooked. I bought an ex corporate craft from Ken collecting it from Gang Warily and my first race was at Claydon, summer of 2002. Sponsors: High Cross Business Park, High Cross Hovercraft Ltd, BBV,

Sailing is my other big interest, I used to race Scimitars which are a 20 foot keel boat (a bit like a Dragon or a Soling). More recently I have taken up offshore sailing to Ireland, Scotland and around France. I missed the adrenaline rush when I gave up racing boats, it seems strange talking about it when these craft had a top speed of about 7 knots! So I rekindled my interest in hovercrafting and went out and bought my first hovercraft a 447 powered Eagle. The very first time I went out in practice at Claydon I ploughed in and ended up doing a doughnut which dislodged my tow line. Unfortunately I was unaware of what had happened and next minute the rope decided to wrap itself around the prop. I was recovered back to the paddock to be surrounded by most of the Midlands branch of the club who immediately set to work unwrapping the rope which had melted itself round the shaft from the gearbox. I was touched by the kindness and enthusiasm of the other drivers and members who rushed to my aid and managed to get my craft fixed just in time for the first novice race. This generosity and willingness to help others, I soon came to realise, is the hallmark of the Hovercraft Club of Great Britain. This is what makes the club a great club. Never more has this been in evidence than when this year I was competing in the World Endurance race at the Big Lake with Rebecca and the steering collapsed, I spent several wet hours (having ploughed in and gone swimming earlier) stripping the mechanism down. By 7.30 I’d had enough and went back to the camper. At about half past ten there was a knock at the door. Zoe, Andy, Bob, Rupert and Bill had fixed the craft ready for me to go out the following day! We have also joined in with the cruising side of the club having successfully

finished 3 Rhone Raids and also an Irish raid this summer. We have always been made most welcome as part of the hovercraft family and the girls have always been very keen to go to meetings and over the years we have made many good friends through the club. I shall have fond memories that, along with a huge amount of help from the midlands branch we managed to set up a race venue at ‘Jake’s Place’. Despite some of the trials and tribulations, it always gave me a great sense of pride and satisfaction watching the craft racing round our ‘back garden’. Sadly it looks as if racing at Jake’s place will have to be put on hold for the foreseeable future. However we are hoping to build on the successes of previous years and host more driver training weekends. These have attracted more new drivers and promoted the club to a wider audience. On the racing front:won UK Nationals F35 and the open F35 as High Cross Racing in 2009, came second in the F35 Nationals in 2010, and won last years F35 category in the opens. High Cross Racing need one more point to win this years Nationals F35 and we have won the F35 open this year (I think we are 6th overall in the Open at the moment). We even made the front row of the grid in the open races in an F35 at Gang Warily this year! Now my greatest achievement was being lucky enough to win the F35 World Championships in Saalburg, Germany this September and carrying the Union Flag even though I was being carried on the front of a telehandler at the time as the craft had thrown a pulley 5 laps into the final race!

Lucas Hull FJ - Sweden 9th january

Model of craft BBV F35 mk2

student

Weight of craft just under 200Kg

i’ve been hovercrafting sice 2010 we don’t really have any sponsors my model of craft is The Eurocraft made by Magnus Ivanoff, my craft is an 80% of an eurocraft so it wieghts about 150 kilos and it’s max speed is around 60 knots.

Max speed radar faulty at Big Lake cos I wasn’t driving straight at it! But according to Rupert he has had 65mph out of a standard F35 on the Severn Cruise and this craft is a little bit faster! It is a mid engined design which is a first for F35 with a shaft driving both the lift fan and the thrust. This makes for a cleaner air flow to the duct The driving position is hugging the engine a bit like a motorbike with a reinforced tunnel, going between your legs, that houses the drive shaft to the thrust and also the exhaust so it keeps you nice and warm, handy in this climate! LightHovercraft 14

i had choosen hovercrafting because my brothers have been racing for a while and i thought that was cool and wanted to give it a try. I came third in the WHC in towcester, that was my third race www.hovercraft.org.uk

Denis Ragot F2 - France 16/04 1971 Job: Model maker I’ve been racing since 1994 Me ! I’m the only sponser Model of the craft: Fusion F2 by Patrick Godicheau S2MA http://s2ma.pagesperso-orange.fr/ page4.htm Weight of craft: 170 KG

Hull : Kevlar/Carbon with Epoxi . Engines : Lift : F33 HIRTH , trust: 453 ROTAX 440 . I begin on marshalling , after Novice with a Formula 50 , I continued to formula 3 and got some tittle for the european championship and since 2002 in formula 2 I’ve recieved another tittle european in a championship ! ) The community of hovercraft is like a big familly with the same passion , like in all famillyS you can live some disput , some tragedie and fortunately a lot of amazing emotion and enjoyment .

I don’t know the speed of the craft its approx 100 km/h maybe

Chris Barlow FS - UK

Trade secret…..the craft has never been weighed!!

Born in1960 Self Employed Bathroom generally Kent and London.

installer,

1990 ish is when I started racing – wanted to get a giro-copter, whilst looking I saw an advert for the Hovercraft Club, went to Pen-y-fan, Wales, crawled over a mountain, saw some hovercraft racing and I thought – That’s for me!. I then got in touch with the then South East Branch, marshaled for a few meetings then made my first craft – an Osprey My sponser: my wife and daughter Raptor – designed by Paul Hibbard and built by Paul and myself. Powered by a Polaris 800 so I race FS www.hovercraft.org.uk

Speed of the craft: Fast enough for a World Champion It’s a dream to drive, suits me perfectly. I chose Hovercraft because I needed a hobby, the beauty of hovercraft is that you get to build and race something, you don’t have to have something off the shelf. Its not mass marketed which is exactly why I do it. The hovercraft community are a great, friendly lot of people who share the same interest but who are all so different in so many ways. We come from all walks of life, careers, parts of the World yet we share the common bond of our love of Hovercraft. We have made many great friends over the years, it truly is a family sport – and I look forward to building my daughter a craft in the future.

European F2 Champion 2002, 2nd in 2006, then moved to FS Worlds F2 2nd place 2002 Driver of the Year 2002 European FS 2nd place in 2007. World Champion FS 2008, 2010 and now 2012. Been a HCGB Council member for 12 years. Been Chairman of South East Branch and helped organise race meeting at Lydd and Penton Lakes. Been Chairman of Comps. Current EHF and WHF drivers Rep.

Unfortunately not all our champions had managed to get back to us in time with their profiles. Congratulations to you all. LightHovercraft 15

CLAYDON HALL SEPTEMBER 29 – 30, 2012 Somehow it didn’t seem right ending the season at Claydon. It was ironic that an event for the ultimate amphibious vehicles, originally scheduled for July, should have to be postponed due to the grass being too wet! To be fair, the landowners could not risk their best grazing land being churned up by the support vehicles. So, with Jake’s Place regrettably having to be cancelled, Chilterns Branch took over the date so that one of the most popular meetings of the year was not lost. The Claydon course is very similar to the legendary Stanford Hall course which those who raced there still talk about with great affection. Despite being officially well into autumn, the weather was very kind to us. Saturday was quite sunny and Sunday largely overcast but both days were dry. There was, however a fairly stiff breeze throughout the weekend, which for the most part blew as a headwind on the water straight, thus limiting the problems of plough-ins (for most), however a number of craft did get spectacularly airborne without coming to grief. We came to this last meeting of the season with only one championship already decided so there was the prospect of some serious racing.

We had the best turn out of F1 craft this year but sadly it was still only five craft. Conrad Beale brought along the German craft which he had raced in the Worlds and Steve Milligan and Mike King had made the trip over from Ireland to share their craft in F1 and Opens. The championship was wide open with Dan Turnbull on 92 points and Raider F1 on 87 points. Dan had won the first three meetings of the year but Raider F1, Les Bran and Ian Richardson sharing, were on a winning streak having won the last two meetings. Whilst the speed of the craft was spectacular the racing was rather processional with Dan taking all four wins, Conrad all four seconds and Raider F1 all the third places. Dan therefore taking the weekend and the championship by 117 points to Raider’s 104.

The championship was to be decided between Fred Wilson on 103 points, Team Polfrey on 100 points and Tony Goldney on 89 points. Tony Goldney had a fan hub problem early in the weekend and took no further part in the racing, and Fred Wilson, for the first time this season, missed the meeting. Therefore Team Polfrey LightHovercraft 16

only need four points from the weekend and duly took the championship. Team Polfrey vied with Wayne Ravenhall for the meeting honours with each of them taking two wins, however Wayne took first place with his two seconds to the Polfreys’ one second and one fifth. Bernie Hook had a consistent run to third place. It should be noted that, although fifteen craft took part in the F2 over the weekend, the vast majority were F50s.

Ten F3 craft took part in the weekend with three of them in with a chance for the title. Team mates Francis Morales and Phil Hall had 122 points and 113 points respectively, whilst Jamie Lewendon was the long shot on 102. These odds did not deter Jamie who did the only possible thing he could and won all four races which gave him the weekend but not the championship. Francis continued his season long good form and took second for the weekend and the championship. Phil tied on points with Warren Briggs over the weekend but Warren took third by virtue of a second place. Warren was the surprise of the meeting as it was his first outing for a long time and he had brought along a brand new craft with an untried engine; a single cylinder overhead cam, four stroke Honda I believe. Based on his performance this weekend this could be the way forward for F3.

F50

As usual F50 was the best supported formula with eighteen craft out. Strangely only five craft did all the races. The championship had been sewn up by Nick Drew at Gang Warily but he decided to race anyway despite being on crutches as a result of breaking a bone in his foot in a thrust test area accident at the Worlds. The fact that Nick won all the meetings up to the last at Gang warily makes it look like a walkover but the truth is he was pushed every lap of the way by Conrad Beale, the two of them regularly putting in very similar and consistent lap times which made for some extremely exciting racing. Here at Claydon however Conrad seemed determined to redress the balance and he managed three wins to Nick’s one, therefore taking the weekend. Clive Mason was the best of the rest in third and Mark Allman, after a whole series of spectacular rolls and swims this season, kept it all together for fourth. The first F50 race on Sunday was red flagged after a big coming together on the first lap between Hannah Deacon, Broni Black and Natalie Cooper, thankfully without serious injury, although Broni was taken off for checks. These were the only girls in the race and I would like to disassociate myself from the utterly scurrilous remarks heard in the paddock about “women drivers”.

F35

Twenty four points separated Jake Cooper from Zoe Deacon in the championship. So, given the reliability of F35 craft, and Jake’s World Championship winning driving skills, Zoe only had a theoretical chance of taking it. Five craft went out in each race and I believe they all finished every race. Jake in the High Cross Racing craft set the pace and won three times with the old gentlemen of Team Saga Louts (Kevin Thomas and Chis Daley) taking the other win. Phil Tattersall was best of the rest.

F Junior

The Juniors gave us some of the best racing of the weekend as usual. The championship was to be decided between Sarah Foster on 128 points and Callum Beale on 108 points. Stevie Gill had a good season and would have been in the reckoning had she not missed the Hacketts Lake meeting. The junior’s last race of the season had to be abandoned after two first lap red flag incidents in the second of which Sarah took a bit of a knock. Callum, Nils Atkins and Jonathan Stevens each took a win and, after the points were totalled, Callum took the weekend, Nils was second, Jonathan third and Sarah was fourth which was enough to give her the championship. As is customary at the last meeting of the year, the Junior Championship trophies were presented, the final results being: 1st Sarah Foster, 2nd Callum Beale, 3rd Stevie Gill, 4th Jonathan Stevens, 5th Christian Broad, 6th Nils Atkins. Nils also received the Rose Bowl for his impressive improvement over the year and for taking second in the World Championships.

www.hovercraft.org.uk

Open Races

As is usual for the last meeting of the year the opens were well supported with twenty four craft going out over the course of the weekend. Vying for the overall top honours for the season were the two F3 craft of The Flying Normans (Francis Morales and Phil Hall) and Storm Hovercraft (Jamie Lewendon), the Normans being ten points ahead of Jamie after a season long tussle. With the three F1 craft of Turnbull, Bran/Richardson and Milligan/King sharing all the first and second places between them, the Normans and Jamie only took fourth and fifth, thus The Flying Normans took the season honours. Raider F1 (Les Bran and Ian Richardson) were clear winners of the weekend on ninety points with second going to Steve Milligan and Mike King in the number 8 craft taking second on sixty four points. Surprisingly third place overall went to Jimmy Drew in the F50. He was only supposed to be taking it easy as he hadn’t raced for a couple of years and went out to maintain his licence. The separate formula winners were: F1 Raider F1, F2 Team Polfrey, F3 The Flying Normans, F35 High Cross Racing. Novices Seven novices went out over the weekend. All the races went with out drama and most of the craft proved reliable. Kevin Tunaley in the F1X was a clear winner in all the races. In F2 Michelle Smith took three wins to Nigel Walton’s one. In F3 David Northall took all the wins and Justin Baines all the seconds.

HOVERTRAVEL’S FIRST OPEN DAY To enable potential customers to learn more about the Hovertravel cross-Solent operation, an Open Day was held at the Southsea terminal on Saturday 18th August. Participants assembled in an area where Hovertravel souvenirs were on sale, augmented by a range from the Hovercraft Museum and the book written by Robin Paine and Roger Syms “On a Cushion of Air’ – the history of cross-Channel hovercraft operations. In addition, there were display boards describing Hovertravel’s history. Visitors then embarked on AP 1-88 “007” and were welcomed aboard by Neil Chapman, Managing Director of Hovertravel. Neil gave a brief history of the company and its operations and said that currently a new design of hovercraft for the cross-Solent route was being undertaken by Griffon Hoverwork at Woolston. However, this potential 100 seat craft with a two year lead in would have much wider application and could continue the significant export activity of Griffon Hoverwork, currently occupied on a contract for twelve hovercraft for the Indian Coastguard. A specific aim of the new design was the reduction of running costs, particularly taking advantage of diesel engine improvements. Once onboard and with the four craft engines running, Peter Barr, Hovetravel’s Chief Pilot, then described how he controlled the hovercraft. Then the craft lifted off and headed out into the Solent, going round one of the Palmerston forts after demonstrating high speed turns. The craft returned to the terminal, was available for inspection and visitors went on their way.

wife Carol attended, fully booked, as was presumably was the afternoon session. However, with a full complement of cross-Solent passengers, the terminal building was somewhat crowded, so for future such events, an alternative to a busy Saturday might be preferable.

Passengers Listening to Peter Barr (All Open Day Photographs Courtesy Doug Coulson)

Rear View of “007”

Salesmen par excellence: Robin Paine and Society Members Warwick Jacobs and David Owen

The innovation of the Open Day was well received, with the morning session, which the Author and his www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Letters from across the pond ...

some refinements to their Revtech apologized for Tuesday QSH club cruise Saturday made Renegades. night’s AGM. 14 Oct Eagleby Highway report from We saw the Discover Hover UHT13 Bridge Logan River to Cruise Saturday 15th September belonging to Hendra High School parked Waterford near Peter’s driveway stored for Corporal 2012. Lagoon Passage. Brett Young. Judy Stead, Elaine Venn and Queensland Sporting Hovercraft club A branch of the Australian Hovercraft Federation Inc (Vic) Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast, The next QSH club cruise will be on Sunday 14th October 2012. Meet at 9am for a launch into the Logan River from Eagleby next to the Pacific Highway. From Brisbane take exit 31 heading south, go past the Loganholme BP, under the Logan Motorway fly-over and take the service road bridge. From the Gold Coast take exit 34 and follow Brigade Drive and turn left into River Hills Road and head north. Plenty of parking in a council carpark to take 44 cars with boat trailers. We plan to travel upstream to the Waterford Arms hotel for a cup of tea in the Bistro. The Eagleby launch spot will have few boats due to the silted ramp, however the Waterford ramp is popular with boat owners and anglers. The ramp is also quite steep and narrow so care will be needed when parking for the morning tea stop. Keep the ramp and access lanes clear. With so many car parking spaces at Eagleby, this is a good spot to bring along your “not quite finished” craft for a static display in line of sight from a busy Gold Coast Motorway. Could be a good promotion for the club and an opportunity to make use of an expensive council facility which remains largely unused. President Peter Venn and web master Arthur Stead will be away on their return to the Murray River to complete a long distance cruise with Sam Waugh and John Mendham of Primbee NSW. They hope to journey from Echuca (Cobb Hwy) to Khancoban at the Alpine Way and within 40kms of Mt Kosciuszko. This will complete the trip along Australia’s largest river which the 4 small craft started on Wednesday 9th May 2012. The trip was suspended at Echuca due to the onset of winter and work commitments. Sam Waugh and Arthur Stead have LightHovercraft 18

Turbo TP6 powered by a Subaru 1800 EA81 and Honda 18hp : Peter Venn, Harrison Baxter, Neil Budworth Revtech Renegade powered by a Honda 20hp : Arthur Stead Turbo Wedge 240 powered by a Yamaha PE485 51hp : Steven Odgaard & Rita Chaffey Turbo Vortex powered by a Suzuki 4 cylinder 4 stroke : Ben Woodhead Launched at 10-30am and had morning tea on Mark’s Middle Island, near Mark’s Hill and Mark’s Road, in the Logan River delta. Young Harrison Baxter was amused by the vegemite worms in his SAO biscuit, but offered it to skipper Grandpa Venn after the fun wore off and the taste buds kicked in. Ben Woodhead pretended that he could not find the island and continued back to the launch ramp without even looking around at the other craft parked on the eastern point. Perhaps he isn’t fond of vegemite either. Landing on Mark’s Middle Island is a muddy affair even with an amphibious vehicle. It is a long narrow grassy flat patch flanked by dangerous vertical ledge and deep fast flowing current to the north and thick mangrove shrubbery with sloppy brown mud to the south. The only nice landing spot is the western point at low tide. This island is covered by king tides except for a tiny knoll hidden by the tallest sheoaks. Many a camper has had to make a hasty retreat to the boat in the middle of the night with the unexpected submersion of the tent site. We had our billy tea and SAO’s in comfort thanks to Peter Venn’s detachable seats and bench and enjoyed the warm spring weather on a quiet little uninhabited island. Departing the muddy beach was made difficult by a sou-eastery which held the integrated craft on the slope. Peter’s TP6 however slide away nicely with the advantage of a lift engine.

Dale Baxter met us at the morning launch and

Rita Chaffey made a refreshing lunch and then Bill Toppin helped Steven Odgaard to apply another coat of 2 pack white paint to the 6 foot timber prop for the Sea Eagle UHF18P. Thanks to Bill’s spray painting experience, the new propeller is starting to glisten. We just need to check its balance before installation. We also spray painted a repaired patch on the fan duct of the TP6. Peter was happy with the finish which blended nicely with the existing coat.

Report from Australia. Donnelly River September 2012

Cruise.

Western Date:

Hi Steven. Always wanted to cruise the Donnelly river ever since I laid eyes on it. On Saturday we did it. The Donnelly River is located near Pemberton WA. From the boat ramp in the Kari Forest to the river mouth is 12 km of winding river. It starts off pretty narrow with trees overhanging the river. As you get closer to the ocean it opens up to be a wide and slow moving river. Boats often ply the route to the shacks located near the mouth of the river. Now it has been done by hovercraft. We took the Viper 5 through its paces winding through the forest. Please Note this trip is Not for novice drivers. It takes some skill to navigate the narrow part of the river with little space for error. Plenty of snags to catch a skirt on. The hovercraft made the trip without incident. Winding through the forest was like nothing else, the isolation was noticeable. No mobile phone reception, no VHF reception, no 27mhz reception. You are really on your own if something goes wrong. We checked the hovercraft over many times to ensure no mechanical problems on the trip. Also we carried 40 L of spare fuel. It wasn’t needed, but good to have as a back up. The wind was pretty strong on the day. Whipping up 1 ft waves on the more open parts of the river. Despite the isolation the trip is worth the effort. We proved it can be done by hovercraft. We took footage of the craft going up the river. We got 17mins worth. Too big to post unfortunately. Jeremy Ludlow www.hovercraft.org.uk

For sale in Queensland Turbo Wedge 240 $5000 Red fiberglass hull with Yamaha PE485 51hp 2 stroke Single 12 bladed multiwing fan integrated Thrust and Lift. Segmented finger skirt. 3.97 metres long (13 feet) Craft not assembled, nor registered. Trailer needs repair Spare Yamaha PE485 engine. Contact Graeme Becker Ph 54627576 Ropeley near Gatton. For sale in Queensland: Turbo Wedge 225 $4000 Yellow Timber hull with Subaru EA71 1600cc Single fan integrated Thrust and Lift. Segmented finger skirt. 3.52 metres long Complete with trailer. Contact Phillip Audsley Ph 33516429 For sale in Queensland: Hovercraft and trailer for sale $7000 Flat pack Simple Cyclone answering to the names:- Aqua Terra or Boover. Powered by a Yamaha PE485 51hp 2 stroke electric start Integrated lift/thrust fan 12 bladed multiwing 840mm diameter. 4 rudders Fibreglass Hull 10 feet 6 inches or 3.2 metres long Segmented finger skirt Carries 2 persons Complete with trailer Craft and trailer both currently registered in Queensland Contact Brad Goss Ph 33499743 Mansfield Queensland Australia. For sale in Queensland: Hovercraft and trailer for sale $4000 Turbo 225 Wedge 2 stroke 2 cylinder air cooled Robin EC44PM electric start by Fuji Heavy Industries 1982 Hull Epoxy Plywood composite 3.52 metres long x 1.98 metres wide Segmented skirt Integrated thrust / lift with variable splitter plate (Single engine - single fan) Cushion height 230mm 4 rudders Craft registered EJ833Q Trailer registered in Queensland 7 pin trailer plug (small) Utilux type. Operated from 1985 to 2011 in regular club cruises. Contact Margaret Goss Ph 33499743 Mansfield Queensland Australia.

Want to work in the hovercraft industry? Flying Fish Hovercraft are currently looking to recruit staff in the following areas. Sales & Marketing Manager We’re looking for an experienced and motivated sales manager to develop and maintain our network of representatives and agents. You’ll have a strong background in a relevant industry and be confident in preparing and delivering on a plan to increase both direct sales and (particularly) overseas dealers. This is a demanding role and you’ll be prepared to work long hours, travel to attend overseas shows and achieve targets. Package will include a basic plus commission with on-target earnings in the region of £35k. It’s not necessary that you have any hovercraft experience, what’s crucial is that you have the right attitude, drive and ambition - coupled with the right background - to help the company achieve its targets. Laminator Laminator required to join our team producing parts and hulls at our factory in Sandwich, Kent. Experienced preferred but not crucial if you can prove a relevant background or experience which demonstrate you have the right skills to develop. Salary after probationary period is £16k Design Consultant 2012 has seen a complete redesign of our existing range of craft and the release of new models. We’re looking to constantly improve, upgrade and develop our hovercraft and breed a culture of innovation within the company. We have an R&D program in place and welcome fresh input and ideas from experienced designers. If you feel you have the skills necessary to join us on a consultancy basis, we’d love to hear from you. Remuneration by negotiation. To be considered for any of these positions, please forward CV via email to Russ Pullen at Flying Fish Hovercraft www.flyingfishhovercraft.co.uk

Flying Fish Hovercraft Ltd. Building 4, Sandwich Industrial Estate Sandwich, Kent CT13 9LU t : 000444 (0) 1304 619820 sales@flyingfishhovercraft.co.uk Company Reg. 07818507 www.hovercraft.org.uk

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Prices of HCGB Logo Merchandise Woolly hat - £7.50 including embroidered club logo Fleece hat - £7.50 including embroidered club logo Kids Hoodies - £14.00 including embroidered club logo on breast Kids Zipped Fleece Jackets £14.00 including embroidered club logo on breast Kids short sleeve T shirt - £6.50 including embroidered club logo on breast

Soft shell jackets – black or navy - £35.00 including embroidered club logo on breast & back Fleece zipped jackets – all colours - £22.50 including embroidered club logo Hoodies – all colours (other than orange) - £ 20.00 including embroidered club logo Ladies fit short sleeve T shirt – all colours – £12.00 including embroidered club logo Ladies fit long sleeve T shirt – all colours - £15.00 including embroidered club logo Men’s short sleeve T shirt – all colours - £12.00 including embroidered club logo Men’s long sleeve T shirt – black only - £15.00 including embroidered club logo & printed logo down right sleeve Unisex short sleeve polo shirts – all colours - £15.00 including embroidered club logo Unisex long sleeve polo shirts – all colours - £17.00 including embroidered club logo Baseball Cap - £7.50 including printed club logo LightHovercraft 20

Mouse Mat - £6.50 All-in-one race suits – navy – N/A Two piece water proof sets – black - £25.00 Puncture repair kits - £1.50 Kids ear defenders - £7.50 Ear caps – £1.00 Lipsyl - £1.50 Sun cream - £3.50 The Hovercraft Story Book - £8.50 5 Postcards in frame - £22.50 4 Postcards in frame - £20.00 Powered Model Kit - £15.00 Combat force Hovercraft - £3.50 Logo Pens – 40p Thermal Mugs –£6.00 Mugs – £7.00 Key rings –TBA Wrist bands - £1.00 Umbrellas – £15.00 Cotton Shopping Bags – £5.00

ONLY AVAILABLE TO HCGB MEMBERS Hoodies – orange - £20.00 including embroidered club logo, own name printed on right breast (optional) and HCGB Marshall on back. Unisex short sleeve T shirts – orange - £7.00 including printed club logo Sweatshirt – orange - £17.50 including embroidered club logo, own name printed on right breast (optional) and HCGB Marshall on back

www.hovercraft.org.uk

Crafts 4 sale

BBV F3 Shaft drive, TZR 250 with trailor £1800

F3 Meteor Racing Craft Fully recondition hovercraft currently being carried out, available in any colour that the customer would like, integrated hull fitted with standard TZR 250 engine. Brand new set of skirts fitted. This can be built to any spec wanted. Price depends on spec wanted. From £1700 upwards Call Ricky Goosey: 07875335702 Eagle 1 Single seater craft, with inverted Rotax 503 engine & gearbox. Used mainly at Magnoll’s Orange hull, white duct. Very reasonable condition. C/w trailer Offers in region £1,800.00 Bob Clegg 07986089323 r.clegg@btinternet.com

local branches

most of the local branches meet regularly, normally in a pub, to sit around and chat hovercraft or organise an upcoming meeting or event. feel free to contact them and they will be more than happy to welcome you along to the meetings.