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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 2302.PDF
FLIGHT International supplement. Air-Cushion Vehicles 24 October 1963 Crinian Canal and down the East Coast seaway, has been with the vehicle throughout the operation. He has been responsible for the day-to-day running for servicing, repairs and some modifi cations, and in consequence has gained an unequalled experience of D.2 in use. It is a pity that the builders were obliged to announce their difficulties at this stage of the development, especially since it appears that most obstacles have been, or can be, comparatively easily overcome. In the operators' opinion (they were responsible for the suggestion to use D.2 on the Thames) the exercise would have been more profitable in every respect if there had been a stronger background to the ven ture. In their view there is a lack of foresight and interest by British indus trialists in backing the invention, from which they assume that such people earn their money far too easily in other direc tions to warrant the slightest speculative attitude. The requirements for financial support has, in Thames Launches' sub mission, led to the necessity of Denny to take vigorous steps in an attempt to secure export orders for hovercraft still more or less in the development stage, instead of concentrating on the produc tion of a well-tried and fully operational vehicle. In the absence of indications from transport operators, Government and otherwise, of serious practical in terest in the application of these vehicle^, and in the placing of orders, the lack of capital available has stultified progress. It would be a disaster if these D.2 vehicles—and there are two more in an advanced stage of construction—were to be acquired and the development completed by a competitive nation. Thames Launches' studies show that 99 per cent of people using the river passenger boats embark for pleasure, business or for educational purposes. As a result of the company's experience, their original view has been confirmed, namely, that a short city service from point to point on London River would be worthy of consideration only if con gestion on the roads and overcrowding of the District Railway reaches an im- Passe. Even so, they do not think private enterprise would sponsor any such scheme. The advantages of air- cushion vehicles in this application *ould be many compared with conven tional craft, but still insufficient to warrant speculation, which would neces sarily be in competition with other forms of transport. The full advantages of the tose of the Hoverbus could not be ob tained without operating over longer journeys, although Thames Launches believe there are many more suitable aPplications for commercial port use. The operators have said that, with 'he requisite support, they would be Sir Ralph and Lady Perring, Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London, on board the D.2. With them is driver Joe Watson Arrival of the D.2 from Dumbarton at Thames Launches' Twickenham HQ was celebrated with a "yard of ale"—-or, more accurately, champagne. L to r,John Alban, TL chief engineer; Malcolm McGregor, Hilary Watson and Richard Mason of Denny Hovercraft; and W. B. Caisley prepared to give consideration to run, after suitable modifications to the craft under construction, a fifty-mile service on the Thames. It is essential in their view that an advanced experimental ser vice should be inaugurated to prove further the practicability of the sidewall hovercraft. Such a service could be a proving ground for developed craft, capable of operating further afield. The company are convinced that there is a great future in employing ACVs of the D.2 class. Low in con struction, they will be able to negotiate bridges; they will be fast and seaworthy and capable of carrying many more passengers than the present craft from city-centre here to city-centre abroad. Thus would the full advantage of the vehicle be gained. Hovercraft services, for example from the centre of London to points on the Continent, would not, they opine, be superseded by a Channel tunnel. At any rate, such services could provide a far more interesting journey once the novelty of a tunnel trip had been experienced. Finally, Thames Launches Ltd—a comparatively small company—can claim to have operated the D.2, if not 100 per cent efficiently, then at least more successfully than any other service yet attempted—and over far more trying waters. The author is convinced that there is a great future for air-cushion vehicles based on the D.2 concept, and if we in Great Britain "pull our fingers out" we could keep our world lead in this invention—to our very great future gain. The "hover hostesses' 53
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