This morning OnTheWight went along on the first visit to Griffon Hoverworks, over in Southampton, to see the two Hovercrafts that are currently under construction. It was the first time that many of Hovertravel’s staff had seen them too.
The craft will be a new design and are expected to come into service during 2016.
New way of boarding
Walking around the wooden mock-ups for the first time revealed some interesting detail about the craft.
To keep turnaround time to a minimum, loading will be via the front of the craft, with two entrances. One steps, the other a ramp.
The idea is to give maximum flexibility.
Inside the craft
Once inside the craft, luggage areas are recessed, so as not to impede the flow of passengers still boarding. There are even storage areas for bicycles.
Larger luggage will be held at the rear of the craft, with designs experimenting the use of loading trolleys – again to speed up loading and unloading.
Chief pilot providing experienced input
We also saw the cockpit mock-up, which is going through the process of still being designed.
Speaking to Hovertravel’s chief pilot, he’s bringing his 25 years experience into laying out, not only the cockpit, but the wider layout of the craft.
The framework of the two craft is currently underway. Construction methods are interesting, with it being done upside down initially, as welding down is far easier than welding up!
The second framework, now right way up, had undergone initial painting and was seen with the bulkhead (the metal sheet that separates the engine from the passengers) in place.
Click on images to see larger versions
