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The AP1-88 was developed jointly by British manufacturer Hoverwork, BHC (British Hovercraft Corporation) and the NRDC (National Research Development Council) from 1981, with the first pre-production prototype being built and tested in 1982 [Barton, 2006]. Hoverwork, the engineering company associated with Hovertravel is still producing hovercraft today, its latest production model being the 130 seater BHT-130, used on the same route as AP1-88's today. Located on the Isle of Wight this firm was founded in 1966 [Hoverwork, 2004] and has produced various models of the AP1-88 including the "Well deck" variety used as an industrial amphibious transporter for various companies around the world, and the AP1-88/400 industrial variety (as seen here).
The AP1-88 replaced the SRN6 for the Southsea to Ryde route (Portsmouth to the Isle of Wight) which had started operation in 1965 by Hovertravel [Hovercraft Museum, 2007]. The craft were quieter, more efficient, had more capacity (88 seats and later 100 seats as opposed to SRN6's 38 seats) and were a revolutionary design change from the previous craft produced by BHC. Various AP1-88s have been used worldwide such as in the USA, Scandinavia, Australia and Canada [Leonard et al., 1981]. The Southsea to Ryde crossing normally takes about 7 minutes, weather and traffic permitting. Visit Hovertravel's website for a schedule of operations.
A photo gallery follows below, and you can also visit the AP1-88 Videos page.
Performance specifications for AP1-88 hovercraftSource: Hoverwork, 2004 |
|
| Feature | Specification |
| Length (m) | 21.50 |
| Beam (m) | 10.06 |
| Height (hovering) (m) | 8.90 |
| Height (landed) (m) | 7.92 |
| Rated cruise speed (kts) | 45 |
| Max Speed (Freedom 90) (kts) | ~ 60 |
| Propulsion Engines (Original version) | 2 x Deutz BF12L 513FC air-cooled turbo-diesels |
| Engine max. efficiency speed (RPM) | 2,300 |
| Engine power at max efficiency (kW) | 392 |
| No. of Passengers (x/88, x/100) | 88, 100 |
| Propulsion Engines (Enhanced Freedom 90) | 2 x MTU V12 water-cooled turbo-diesels, 800 h.p. |
| Engine power (Freedom 90) (kW) | 597 |
| Propellers | 2 x Hoffmann 2.755 m dia. fixed pitch, Type HO-E-214P/D275BS |
| Lift Engines | 2 x Deutz BF12L 513FC air-cooled turbo diesels, rated for continuous cruise. |
| Lift Engine max. efficiency speed (RPM) | 2,300 |
| Lift Engine power at max efficiency speed (kW) | 392 |
| Drive system | Geared belt drive from engine gearbox to propeller |
| Steering system | 2 x forward bow thrusters, each with 360° freedom; Rudders on each ducted main propeller. |
Video used with permission from YouTube user UKWMO (YouTube channel)
Original BHC Information Brochure (November 1985) kindly sent in by M. Fane
Gallery 1 - AP1-88 Diagrams |  Front-view of AP1-88 |  Side-view of AP1-88 |
 Top-down view of AP1-88 |  Isometric view of AP1-88 |
Gallery 2 - AP1-88 | |
 | Close-up of a bow thruster on an AP1-88. This (starboard) thruster and its counterpart (port) can be rotated through 360°, allowing precise control of yaw when stationary or in motion. Fed by bleed air from the lift system these bow thrusters are aligned facing aft during cruise to give maximum thrust. Here they are shown rotated to the starboard aiding in lateral movement on land. For braking, they can be swivelled to oppose the direction of travel of the craft, and act akin to thrust reversers. |
 | An AP1-88 arriving at the slipway of the once BHC factory in East Cowes, Isle of Wight. (Photo in Croome, 1984) |
 | An AP1-88 in cruise during a Southsea to Ryde crossing on the Solent (Photo in Croome, 1984). |
 | Double-Oh-Seven arriving on the ramp at Portsmouth (Photo: David Ingham). |
 | Courier, seen here at Ryde after being purchased and shipped from Hovertravel Australia. Since this picture, Courier has been used in Spain and America on passenger runs (Photo: David Ingham). |
 | Freedom 90 leaving Southsea hoverport (Photo: David Ingham). |
 | Freedom 90 in 2006 in a new livery (Photo: David Ingham). |
 | Freedom 90 arriving at the then enlarged Ryde slipway on the Isle of Wight at low tide (Photo: David Ingham). |
 | Here is the first ever built AP1-88/80 prototype, Tenacity (GH-2087) leaving Ryde in 1983. Ryde slipway was more curved and a lot smaller then, only enough room for two craft, unlike today when they can fit four craft on the slipway (Photo: David Ingham). |
Page updated Wednesday, August 15, 2012