 SR.N6 of Hovertravel on the Solent, 1982
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | SR.N6 Winchester class |
| Builders | British Hovercraft Corporation |
| Preceded by | SR.N5 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | hovercraft |
| Displacement | 10.9 tons |
| Length | 17.78 m (58 ft 4 in) |
| Beam | 7.97 m (26 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in) on cushion |
| Propulsion | 1 Rolls-Royce Gnome turbine engines 1,050 hp (780 kW) for lift and propulsion driving single four-bladed variable-pitch propeller |
| Speed | 50 kn (93 km/h) |
| Range | 170 miles at 30 knots |
| Capacity | 58 seated passengers |
| Crew | 3 |
The Saunders-Roe (later British Hovercraft Corporation) SR.N6 hovercraft (also known as the Winchester class) was essentially a larger version of the earlier SR.N5 series.[1] It incorporated several features that resulted in the type becoming one of the most produced and commercially successful hovercraft designs in the world.
While the SR.N2 and SR.N5s operated in commercial service as trials craft, the SR.N6 has the distinction of being the first production hovercraft to enter commercial service. In comparison to the SR.N5, the SR.N6 was stretched in length, providing more than double the seating capacity. Some models of the craft were stretched further, enabling an even greater capacity.
Experience gained in the development of the SR.N6 has been attributed as heavily contributing towards the design and production of the largest civil hovercraft to be ever produced, the SR.N4. Several major design features of the SR.N6 appeared on both the SR.N4 and further hovercraft designs by Saunders-Roe and its successor, the British Hovercraft Corporation.
- ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 250. ISBN 9780850451634.