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Manufactured in 1975 by Air Vehicles on the Isle of Wight, Tiger 12 is on the of the quietest hovercraft ever manufactured, emitting a pleasant 62dB at full power. Tiger 12 is a slightly different design to the classic hovercraft, featuring a permanently inflated upper skirt section (similar to the Pindair Skima 12) for rigidity and buoyancy, and a lower section inflated by air from the lift fan. The first Tiger 12 began operations in 1975 in the UK, North America and Africa, specified to carry 2 crew and 10 passengers [Freelancermap, 2007].
The craft operated by Hovercraft Rentals is a renovated Tiger 12 originally manufactured in 1980. It has been fitted with the latest safety equipment and fully complies with all tourist passenger EU regulations. It is the only service in the UK of this type, and possibly the EU. For more information on Hovercraft Rentals' service and more details of the craft visit hovercraftrentals.co.uk and freelancermap.co.uk
Table: Performance specifications for Tiger 12 hovercraft [Source: Pelicanparts, 2007; HCGB, 2007; HovercraftRental, 2007]
| Feature |
Specification |
| Length (m) |
8.53 |
| Beam (m) |
3.81 |
| Height (hovering) (m) |
3.57 |
| Height (landed) (m) |
3.11 |
| Rated cruise speed (kts) |
35 |
| Top speed (kts) |
56 |
| Max payload (kg) |
998 |
| Max range (Nmi) |
435 |
| Propulsion Engine |
Chrysler/AMC 5.9-litre V8 |
| Engine power (kW) |
185 |
| No. of Passengers [& original] |
10 [12] (incl. 2 crewmembers) |
| Hull details |
Rigid superstructure with permanently inflatable upper bag skirt |
| Lift system |
Centrifugal lift fan situated on main drive shaft behind passenger cabin, vertical orientation transverse to direction of flight. |
| Steering system |
Rudders mounted aft of ducted main fan |
| Peak wave height (m) |
1.5 |
| Operational wind force limit (Beaufort) |
4 |
The photos on this page have been kindly sent by J. G. Roberts and Copyright © of Hovercraft Rental, 2008
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Operational on the mud flats of Rhyl, North Wales, 40 years after the world's first passenger hovercraft service. |
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Emerging from the sea lock at Whitehaven during the 2007 Whitehaven Maritime Festival |
Stripped down dashboard |
Building the forward bulkhead |
Forward bulkhead panels complete |
Engine-to-driveshaft belt attachment |
Drive system parts (lift fan, belt, etc.) |
Rear duct and fins |
Comfortable duct! |
Lift fan housing and surrounds |
Engine |
Fan and lift fan housing |
Looking aft into the engine bay |
Engine bay |
Closeup of propshaft and fixing |
Completed side of GH2126 |
Skirt fastener |
Looking at the water cooling system |
Operational at Whitehaven Maritime Festival, 2007 |
Operational at Whitehaven Maritime Festival, 2007 |
Arriving |
Perils of yellow paint! |
Pilot and craft on the beach |
Page updated:
08/15/2010
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