|
Formed in 1966 as a result of a merger between Vosper Ltd. and John Thornycroft & Co Ltd., both manufacturers of high speed boats, the Vosper Thornycroft Group were responsible for the creation of several types of hovercraft, including the VT-1, VT-2 and Fast Patrol boats. Their original craft, the VT-1 was not amphibious as it was thrusted by means of a water propeller. However, this was revised in the VT-2 and changed to two air-ducted propellers, allowing full amphibious capabilities. The only VT-2 produced went to the Royal Navy, and is shown in the photos below.
Vosper Thornycroft still exists today as a major UK-based shipbuilding company, dealing primarily with naval contracts. Vosper Thornycroft became a subdivision of British Shipbuilders following the nationalisation of the British ship building industry in 1974, however continued to provide ships and upgrades to the Ministry of Defence and international customers. In 2003, Vosper Thornycroft moved their production yard from Woolston, UK to Portsmouth, creating one of the then most modern and advanced shipyards in the world. They still exist today as a very large corporation, and their website is http://www.vtplc.com/. [Battleships-Cruisers, 2008; Barton, 2008b]
Table: Performance specifications for VT-2 hovercraft [Source: Barton, 2008b]
| Feature |
Specification |
| Length (m) |
30.18 |
| Beam (m) |
13.26 |
| Rated cruise speed (kts) |
60 |
| Propulsion Engines |
2 x Rolls-Royce Marine Proteus Gas Turbines |
| Engine power (kW) |
2,833 |
 |
Making the news - what's this strange craft at Ramsgate?!
(Images sent by Nigel Thornton). |
 |
If you have any comments, questions or issues regarding this website, its content, or anything about hovercraft or Concorde, please use the Contact Form.
James' Hovercraft Site is not affiliated in any way with any organisations, such as The Hovercraft Museum, Hoverspeed, Sea Containers, British Airways, etc. Please note that I am not connected with sellers of hovercraft featured on the Buying Page of this site, I am just hosting their craft for their own use.
The intent of these two sites (Concorde and Hovercraft) is for them to be built up by contributions from viewers: photos, pictures, data, information, stories, video captures and more are all very welcome.
Website design, layout, background and non page-credited images, including main logo are © James Rowson 1999 - 2008. If I have missed crediting an image that is not mine, I apologise and please contact me using the contact form regarding the matter. James' Hovercraft Site is not responsible for the content of externally linked pages and website.
[back to top] |
