merstham.photos image number 6548

Crafty Fellows. 27th April 1961. UPI Photo.

Redhill Surrey, England: Carrying their own with justifiable pride, students of the College of Aeronautical and Automobile Engineering bear the first privately-built hovercraft at Redhill, Surrey, England, where it had its first public demonstration. The students constructed the 250-pound "do-it-yourself" hovercraft in their spare time under the supervision of its designer, Donald Robertson (seated on the machine). Called "The Skimmer", the hovercraft was built for less than $200, apart from the engine, which is an ordinary outboard motor from a yacht. The 40-horsepower engine drives a powerful centrifugal fan which builds up an air cushion which lifts the craft six inches above the ground.

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