SR.N3

SR.N3 from the UK Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit, Lee-On-Solent

The British Hovercraft Corporation SR.N3 was a 37.5 ton hovercraft originally designed by Saunders-Roe.[1]

Launched in 1963, it was primarily aimed at military deployment. It was a military version of the SR.N2[2]

Propulsion and lift was provided by four rear-mounted Bristol-Siddeley Gnome gas turbine engines that allowed the SR.N3 to cruise at 70 knots. The British IHTU (Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit), based at Browndown, Stokes Bay, tested the SR.N3 in a wide variety of conditions, including ice.[3] On 16 September 1964 an SR.N3 operated satisfactorily in a full gale and six foot seas.[2] The SR.N3 never entered full service and ended up being used for target practice.

  1. ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 250. ISBN 9780850451634.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Flight, SR.Ns was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Air-Cushion Vehicles. June 1964.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)