There I was, driving home from Lee on the Solent on Wednesday and passing the Hovercraft Museum I noticed that it was open. Unusual as it is normally only open on Saturdays and the occasional Bank Holiday. I had not made a visit yet and I was sure that our Grandson would be keen make a visit.
A quick turnaround to convince my daughter and grandson that there would be just one hour to make a short visit and we arrived back at the entry gate at 3pm with exactly one hour to explore the exhibits.
The Museum is located on the coast road at Lee on the Solent opposite the big Slipway which was originally laid in the days of 1917 when the Airport there was opened to allow Navy Seaplanes under Training to land and be stored in the nearby hangers surrounding the slipway.
The airfield was eventually expanded in 1918 to become a Royal Naval Fleet Air Arm base. It was however 1939 before the base became known as HMS Daedalus.
The Hovercraft Museum is located in and around Two of these original seaplane hangars.
During the year, and most recently last weekend, a Hovercraft from the Southsea / Ryde, Isle of Wight service travels to the museum slipway to run a series of trips for fare paying passengers.
I was able to obtain a copy of this years programme.
During the year, and most recently last weekend, a Hovercraft from the Southsea / Ryde, Isle of Wight service travels to the museum slipway to run a series of trips for fare paying passengers.
I was able to obtain a copy of this years programme.
Just inside of the main gates is the Ticket Office formed from the Pilots housing from a dismantled hovercraft.
Sadly, Gosport Council have leased the rest of the area near to the gates to a Transport Company who create a very untidy vista forcing the museum into a tight corner.
This photo of a model of the Air base facilities as they were when the Navy were in command.
The Slipway and the two Hangars used by the Museum are on the left next to the roadway.
Most of the Accommodation Blocks have also remained unused.
The rest of the Hangars and ancillary buildings are being leased to local businesses.
Heading towards the Museum buildings the first and probably most important Hovercraft comes into view.
We make a visit to here later in the visit.
The massive Cross Channel Ferry SRN4 which used to run from Dover & Ramsgate in Kent cross to Calais in France in around 35 minutes. I believe that there were originally 6 of these in service.
It is the Cockpit of the one named after Sir Christopher Cockrell, the inventor of the Hovercraft, which is now used as the ticket office.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR.N4
Only very recently the museum had to have her sister craft The Princess Margaret cut up and scrapped.
Gosport Council wanted to lease the land on which she stood to that eyesore Transport company.
From my grandson's How it Works' book
The rest of the Hangars and ancillary buildings are being leased to local businesses.
Heading towards the Museum buildings the first and probably most important Hovercraft comes into view.
We make a visit to here later in the visit.
The massive Cross Channel Ferry SRN4 which used to run from Dover & Ramsgate in Kent cross to Calais in France in around 35 minutes. I believe that there were originally 6 of these in service.
It is the Cockpit of the one named after Sir Christopher Cockrell, the inventor of the Hovercraft, which is now used as the ticket office.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SR.N4
Only very recently the museum had to have her sister craft The Princess Margaret cut up and scrapped.
Gosport Council wanted to lease the land on which she stood to that eyesore Transport company.
From my grandson's How it Works' book
In the largest Hanger is also located the shop and Café where we had to pay for our tickets.
Along the walls are numerous models of Hovercraft, many of which were prototypes used during the design process.
We included a couple of coffees to drink as we roamed around the displays.
A Copy of our Locations Map & Facilities Guide with the Giant SR.N4 being the largest exhibit in the centre.
A Copy of our Locations Map & Facilities Guide with the Giant SR.N4 being the largest exhibit in the centre.
While we had purchased a Guide Book and were given a site map we were conscious of lack of time to ponder.
There are so many vehicles to look at and consider that a second visit is a definite.
Here are two of the Hovercraft used during the making of the James Bond movie ' Diamonds Are Forever' with Piers Brosnan playing 007
The larger of the two craft models used.
Filming in action
Aboard the smaller of the two craft.
In the background is the prototype for the SR.N6 Craft.
Some of these were used in the first Across Solent Service which runs from Southsea to Ryde on The Isle of Wight.
Another SR.N4 Cockpit among the other odd craft on view
Inside of the SR.N6 - being the prototype there are no formal passenger deck fittings.
It is amazing how basic all of the controls appear to be.
If only I could find the Starter Switch
The Flight Deck of the SR.N4
The Navigators Seat.
This is more my size. I like it.
Outside is a pile of the rubber skirts taken from the recently scrapped SR.N4 The Princess Margaret
Another of the SR.N6's
This Marineswift craft boasted no visible propellers
This SR.N6 'Welldeck model was used to transport military vehicles and these would also be used from warships which operated a launching platform
Inside the massive Car Deck of The Princess Ann SR.N4 where we discover more small hovercraft donated to the museum, some of which are still used on the water during special events.
These craft are all looking to be very 'Home Made'
Inside the Passenger Seating accommodation located along each side of the Car Deck.
At the rear, looking forward.
The view through one of the windows.
Two views of the small Bar area neatly stocked with lots of 'empties'
An advertisement - Arriving in Dover Harbour
The smartly dressed crews on parade.
An advertisement from when Seaspeed owned the Cross Channel service, later owned by Hovertravel.
One of the two forward cabins - I wondered if these were premium seats?
With all of the comparisons used to Aircraft there were no seat belts.
With all of the comparisons used to Aircraft there were no seat belts.
The Princess Anne, never to fly again as her engines are no more.
Inside the second hanger where maintenance and refurbishing work is conducted.
Someone's model of an SR.N4 made from a techno building kit of some sort.
Two interesting pieces on the Britten-Norman Islander aircraft. BN now have a facility on this airport where I believe that they build craft.
I have a fond association with both the Islander and the Trilanders in which I flew many times out of Glasgow as a passenger on my way to The Mull of Kintyre at Machrihanish.
The retained name plates from the scrapped Princess Margaret.
We noticed the frequent appearance of Teddy Bears indicating that a Bear Hunt should be a part of a family visit
Work in Progress - missing her skirt.
Craft of all shapes and sizes to observe.
Presumably a team of volunteers operate here?
Just one of the many display objects of interest.
The last craft we visited is this large military BH7 Wellington Class
Vehicle Transporter.
Vehicle Transporter.
The passenger accommodation seemed rather plush for a military model. Probably for the officers.
Some of the trophies gained during visits made.
Photographs of when in service.
The Galley, reckoned to be the only hovercraft in service fitted with a Microwave oven.
The view through the hatch to the Cockpit.
A notice to crew members working on the Vehicle Deck.
The Poster with cross section of the Bow
It was now spot on 4pm and time to go as the staff were ready to leave following another busy day.
The plan is to make a return visit as soon as possible to take a much closer look at the many exhibits.
A Highly Recommended Visit when in the area.
Frank
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The pages of the Visitors Guide.
