The SRN4 were built in the same era as the QE2 and Concord. The SRN4's first came in to service 32 years ago. The two craft currently running from Dover (UK) to Calais (France) are the last two in opperation in the world.

It appears that fuel prices have pushed operating costs just too high, plus the changes in the 'Duty Free' laws, meant that they are simply not making money any more. The company will continue operations from Dover using SeaCat craft.

Consequently, the two aging SR.N4 Mk III hovercraft, the largest in the world,
are to be offered for sale. It's hard to imagine who could afford to buy them and operate them?

Pictorial History of the SRN4:
http://members.xoom.com/cmpotter/srn4/srn4history.html

If you are taking a cruise from Dover this summer, you may well see the SRN4's pass in and out of Dover Harbour every hour.

Hoverspeed now report that the last day of SRN4 operation will be Sunday 1st October, 2000. Book early!

Does this mean there will be NO hovercrafts of any kind operating in the channel. That would be a pity, I did a crossing once from Dover to Boulogne many years ago and it was quite a thrill, amazed at how fast it went and how quick we crossed.

Regards
M.

The only Hovercraft still operating in Britain now (that I'm aware of) are the smaller passenger craft which run between the Isle of White and Portsmouth. In fact this is the longest running continuous Hovercraft service in the world. (20 years or so)

The SRN4's were way ahead of their time. They are still faster than the modern SeaCats and have proved to be more reliable on occasions. This is a classic case of another British invention which we have not capitalised on.

That is really sad, I just cannot believe they can let something go like this, its just the same as Concorde it should have been used all over the World, but alas only France and Britain have them, why do these things happen, I just cannot understand this at all. Everyone should have a trip in one of these vessels in their lifetime, it is really something different.

In the early 1970's, there was even plans for a Transtatlantic Hovercraft which would have transported passengers from the UK to the USA,in Cruise ship luxuary, in a couple of days. There were also designs for freigt/bulk carrying Hovercraft that could rush perishable goods and aid around the world in less than half the time of conventional ships.

OK, by today's standards the Concorde, QE2 and SRN4 all guzzle fuel, but the next generation of their type would have been much more efficient. In the case of the SRN4 and possibly Concorde, they may simply not be anymore - not British versions anyway. (The QM2 will not even be British built)

We can do it on occasions! For example, the new passenger Hovercraft, the 100 seat AP1, which is currently in operation at Portsmouth (UK) to the Isle of Wight, is cheaper to build and maintain. It uses less fuel than its predecessor the SRN6 and is also relatively quiet. There were once plans for a more efficient cross-channel car carrying Hovercraft - I don't know why the idea died a death?

It would seem that us Brits have been great inventors throughout history, but we are not much good at developing and marketing our products

The Queen Mary and the first Hovercraft, the SRN1 (1959)

I'm just sad that this very British invention never really took off, if you will excuse the pun. I'm surprised that they were never used on routes to Ireland and Holland etc. They were decades ahead of the SeaCats in terms of speed, freight capacity and reliability.

Thanks very much for the photo of the Queen Mary and the Hovercraft I just loved it. Ha Ha...

Cheers
Mary

I do wish we got Concordes in Texas.
Imagine a speedy
Bush IAH - Heathrow service.
Then Malcolm would lick the chili bowls CLEAN!
Alas, we don't even have a
Bush - Heathrow service.
We get Gatwick!

Now what airport will take Malcolm shorter to go?

Gatwick
Heathrow
Stansted

All have New York Service and Gatwick has Service to the heart of buisness in Texas!

Just outside of London there is an Aircraft museum with a 'Concord', one of the 'test' versions. You can baoard it. It is surprising how small it is - no bigger than a coach (bus) really.