SLINGSBY AVIATION UPGRADES HOVERCRAFT SPECIFICATION

The craft described is constructed almost entirely of composite materials, in general a 75mm thick epoxy-resin coated grp sandwich with Kevlar underside sacrificial protection. Propulsion and auxiliary power is supplied by a Deutz air-cooled Diesel rated at 190bhp at 2500rpm. A 1.5m diameter c.p. airscrew, driven through a toothed belt, is housed in a duct above the after part of the deck, together with four elevators and three rudders. The benefits of the craft's controllable propeller-pitch include reverse-thrust capability, improved control over rough ground, better performance in head seas, and improved manoeuvrability in confined spaces. Main trimming is by fuel transfer; directional control is provided by the rudders and a transverse skirt shift system. During certification trials, the first craft, with 2200kg disposable load, successfully operated in 1.5m short seas and Force 8 wind gusting Force 9. A second SAH 2200 was (in late 1986) nearing completion. The SAH 2200 specification includes: Length oa (hard structure) 10.6m; Beam 4.2m (hard structure), 2.4m (sidebodies folded for transportation); Height, off cushion 2.6m; max. gross weight 4600kg; Disposable load 23 passengers or 2200kg cargo; max. speed 40 knots light, 32 knots full load; max. fuel consumption 7 gal/hr; max. range 500 n.miles; obstacle clearance 0.5m; max. wave-height 1m (ferry), 1.5m(cargo); max. wind speed 25 knots (ferry), 40 knots (cargo). Cabin, open-deck and half-canopy versions are available.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • High-Speed Surface Craft, 25 (1986), p. 10 (Nov./Dec.) [3 pp., 1 tab., 1 fig., 6 phot.]
• Publication Date: 1986

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00691183
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM