Air Cushion Vehicles and Hovercraft

[Jeffry Fontaine]

So does anyone remember that image suggesting a hovercraft type vehicle that would allow aircraft to take off from bomb damaged runways?  The artwork showed an F-15 in the image on a platform that was just large enough to accommodate the landing gear and it had some kind of jet engine unit mounted at the front that provided propulsion and lift for the platform.  I thought it was kind of neat and yesterday while browsing at the local McHobbyShop I spotted the Gallery Models LCAC kit in 1/350th scale which got me to thinking about a hovercraft/ACV platform with the same purpose.  I suspect you could combine several to create a large enough surface area to allow a 1/48th scale model to be placed on it or use one of the LCAC models for a 1/72nd scale aircraft subject.  Of course the superstructure would have to be left off in order to make it work. 

The other idea I had was to put the pair of LCAC modesl on the underside of a C-130 or C-160 in 1/72nd scale.  That might require a third LCAC in 1/700 scale for the nose gear position but it would certainly look interesting. 

[GTX_Admin]

This be the pic my friend?

[Jeffry Fontaine]

Yes indeed!  That is the image I was describing :)

Hmmmm,  Maybe three of the 1/350th scale Gallery Models LCACs would work.  All good since they are sold as a pair in the kit. 

[GTX_Admin]

Thread revival with a cool photo:

[GTX_Admin]

I have a devious plan for one of these:

[PR19_Kit]

That's a Super 4 (a Mk 3....) in the top photo Greg, you can see it's much longer than the Mk 1 in the lower view. I did a few Channel crossings in the APU bay, far right on the exploded view, taking oil samples. It was just a bit noisy.............. 

[raafif]

If you want a LCAC for a 1/48th aircraft model why not buy the 1/72nd plastic LCAC kit - I think Trumpeter do it but it's rare to see it.

[GTX_Admin]

That's a Super 4 (a Mk 3....) in the top photo Greg, you can see it's much longer than the Mk 1 in the lower view.

Understood.  I was really only using the images to illustrate a point.

[Weaver]

Anyone got any good techniques for making hovercraft skirts?

On small models you can make a Milliput "sausage" and put creases/strips in it when it's semi-dry, but I imagine that wouldn't work (or would at least use vast amounts of Milliput) on something bigger than a few inches across.

[The Big Gimper]

Could the Super 4 support the transport of two Harriers and / or helos?

[PR19_Kit]

Could the Super 4 support the transport of two Harriers and / or helos?

They probably wouldn't fit through the car deck doors, but it could certainly lift the weight. Taking the roof off to load them from above might work but the props/engines would limit access a little I'd imagine.

[Silver Fox]

It cries out to be modernized; maybe ducted fans, contra-props or composite propellers.

Of course, converting one as an LCAC(H), the Landing Craft Air Cushion(Heavy) is a natural. I'd just hate to see what type of ship can take one of these in the well deck! Perhaps if you carried them as deck cargo on one of those semi-submersible ships that float-on/float-off cargo.

[GTX_Admin]

An inspiring photo:



Wish there were a kit of the Zubr Class

[PR19_Kit]

It's interesting that the Zubr is a couple of feet larger than the SRN4 in all directions.

A case of 'Our Hovercraft is Bigger than Your Hovercraft' I think.  :)

[elmayerle]

It cries out to be modernized; maybe ducted fans, contra-props or composite propellers.

Of course, converting one as an LCAC(H), the Landing Craft Air Cushion(Heavy) is a natural. I'd just hate to see what type of ship can take one of these in the well deck! Perhaps if you carried them as deck cargo on one of those semi-submersible ships that float-on/float-off cargo.

Perhaps with a PGAC(H), Patrol Gunboar Air Cushion (Heavy), as escort?  Fitted with turreted weapons and some rocket launchers (perhaps one MLRS laucher with spare "six packs" and a couple more launchers for 70 mm rocket pods?), it could do nicely; not quite the same as a Zubr, but along the same lines.  ALternatively, mate a down-sized Zubr with a LCAC?

[Dr. YoKai]

Anyone got any good techniques for making hovercraft skirts?

On small models you can make a Milliput "sausage" and put creases/strips in it when it's semi-dry, but I imagine that wouldn't work (or would at least use vast amounts of Milliput) on something bigger than a few inches across.

 I thought my T-34/85 H was pretty good - see my thread in the '46 GB. "All THings Floaty" GB ( Should've modelled me 'ead!)

http://beyondthesprues.com/Forum/index.php?topic=2920.0

[buzzbomb]

Anyone got any good techniques for making hovercraft skirts?

On small models you can make a Milliput "sausage" and put creases/strips in it when it's semi-dry, but I imagine that wouldn't work (or would at least use vast amounts of Milliput) on something bigger than a few inches across.

I built this, the Dragon Hovercraft APC from the Starfist Series.. well my take on it anyway. It is 1/48 using a 1/35 Modern AAV as a basis

I used electrical conduit tube as a basis

To even up the longer tubes with the elbows.. I split more conduit lengthways, cut enough to clip over, then filled with Autofiller to blend it all together
Ended up like this

[GTX_Admin]

Damn that looks great!

[LemonJello]

Filing the PVC conduit and the foam installation methods away for future use.  Both are pure genius.

[taiidantomcat]

Thats some brilliant execution. AAV-7s are hard to whif too, so excellent concept too  :)

[jcf]

Thats some brilliant execution. AAV-7s are hard to whif too, so excellent concept too  :)

Bell did OK. 

[jcf]

SRN4 related stuff

[jcf]

Some other SARO/BHC concepts.

[PR19_Kit]

They used the minesweeping rig on the later, but smaller, BH7 hovercraft, as well as using it for anti-submarine trials. The last BH7 is at the Hovercraft Museum along with the last two SRN4 Mk 3s.

[jcf]

Speaking of mine-sweeping.