This rare silent film shows tests of the SR N3 Hovercraft, which was built by the British Hovercraft Corporation. SR.N3 was launched in 1963 and was a military version of the SR.N2 hovercraft designed by Saunders-Roe. (Built by Westland and Saunders-Roe, the SR N2 is widely regarded as the prototype for commercial hovercraft, and was developed based on lessons learned from the SR.N1 research craft.)

The SR.N3 could cruise at 70 knots. Propulsion and lift was provided by four rear-mounted Bristol-Siddeley Gnome gas turbine engines. The British Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit or IHTU, based at Browndown, Stokes Bay, tested the SR.N3 in a wide variety of conditions, including ice. On 16 September 1964 an SR.N3 operated satisfactorily in a full gale and six foot seas. However, the SR.N3 never entered full service and ended up being used for target practice.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com