Designed and built by Hoverwork Ltd., UK, the BHT-130 is the modern successor in their line of craft to the widely used BHC/Hoverwork AP1-88. Using many of the design principles of the AP1-88 (centre, elevated cockpit, bilateral bow thrusters, ducted rear propellers and more) the BHT-130 provides a quieter, smoother ride than its predecessor, and increased capacity for both passengers or freight (in its "Well-Deck" variatioin).
Hovertravel currently use AP1-88's and the BHT-130 craft on their 10-minute Southsea to Ryde route from the British mainland to the Isle of Wight.
Table: Performance specifications for Hoverwork BHT-130 [Source: Hoverwork, 2009]
Feature
Specification
Length (m)
29.3,
Beam (m)
15
Hull Length (m)
27.5
Hull Beam (m)
11.8
Service Speed (kts)
45
Max. wave height (m)
3
Engines
4x DDC/MTU turbo-diesel engines
Propulsion
2x 3.5m diameter 5-blade propellers within 4.5m ducts
Steering
Rudders on rear ducts accompanied by bilateral, lift-air-driven 360° rotating bow thrusters
Max. Passengers
133
Skirt type
Bag and finger
BHT-130 on the Solent
Video used with permission from YouTube user UKWMO (YouTube channel)
BHT-130 on The Solent between Portsmouth and Ryde; Onboard and external shots (March 2009).
Spray-covered arrival at Southsea
Departing as seen from Southsea hoverport
Powered down; view from Southsea Hoverport arrivals lounge
Resting on the pad at Southsea
Cockpit
Aft luggage compartments
Bow thruster
Inside the sparsely-occupied passenger cabin.
Looking toward the cockpit from the forward windows.
Resting at Ryde
Me next to Solent Express
The older sister: AP1-88 Island Express landed at Ryde adjacent to BHT-130
Looking toward Solent Express from Ryde hoverport's breakwater
Boarding
Looking toward the forward passenger compartment and the cockpit access steps
Bow thruster pointing aft in flight.
Lift air intake, mid-Solent
On approach to Southsea, still doing 34mph!
Landed at Southsea, aft shot.
Page updated
08/18/2010
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