This page contains photos and videos of a visit I made to Hoverspeed's engineering workshops in March 2000.
These videos and most of the other videos on this site are available in full quality as a £5.00 DVD (+ £3.50 worldwide P&P). Buy it now through PayPal or view more information about it at the JHS shop. Photographs associated with these videos can be found on the Hovercraft Tour.
The Princess Anne arrives from France at the jack pads for the night.
Unloaded, view onto the car deck.
The jacks' (7 in total) control panel, in a hut to the forward of the hovercraft's position.
Raising up the ~212 tonnes of craft on the 7 hydraulic jacks.
View along the craft. Note the special engineers' steps.
Fascinating view INSIDE the skirt! Descending into the plenum chamber via rope ladder from an access hatch was not for the faint hearted.
The forward-most hydraulic ram (of 7 total) supporting the hovercraft on one of 7 giant rubber pads, placed at strategic strong-points throughout the craft's superstructure.
Image Gallery: Inside the engineering sheds
Re-spraying one of the SRN4's tail fins for service.
A pylon being re-sprayed with a test propeller mounted atop it. (Any hoverspeed engineers out there: why did they do this?)
A Rolls-Royce Marine Gas Proteus engine ready for installation into one of the two craft.
Image Gallery: Inside The Princess Margaret during maintenance
For more images, and detailed explanations of some of the items featured in this gallery and on this page including its videos, see the SRN4 Features Tour.
The Princess Margaret, at the time out of service for a major overhaul, sitting to the right hand side of the hover-pad.
The Princess Margaret, with her bow section under scaffolding.
Car deck of The Princess Margaret, during the engineering works.
A lift fan positioned out of its housing on the car deck. Hand for scale.
The maintenance hatch at the rear of the craft leading into the electronics bay. The lift fan air duct is clearly seen to the left of the photograph.
An engine in situ in The Princess Margaret. Note the drive-shaft connected to the engine in the foreground.
The electronics bay.
Video 1: Tour of The Princess Anne
The Princess Anne arrives, unloads
Adjusting the craft's position for jacking up
Tour of The Princess Anne and The Princess Margaret's systems
Video 2: Jacking up The Princess Anne
Jacking up process
Walkaround under the skirt
View into the skirt
View from the roof
Cockpit tour
Page updated:
08/15/2010
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James' Hovercraft Site is not affiliated in any way with The Hovercraft Museum, Hoverspeed, Sea Containers or British Airways. The intent of the two sites (JHS Concorde Site and James' Hovercraft Site) is for them to be built up by contributions from viewers: photos, pictures, data, information, stories, video captures and more are all very welcome. If you have any comments, questions or issues regarding this website, its content, or anything about hovercraft, please use the "Questions or Feedback about this Site or Page " link at the top-right of each page.
