DESCRIPTION

R.N4 Hovercraft

Unpainted kit set, 276 parts

Produced at a time when British engineering was the envy of the world, the Saunders Roe/British Hovercraft Corporation SR.N4 was impressive in every respect of the word; a mighty craft heralding a new era in high speed, high comfort, cross-Channel travel for the masses. Entering service in 1969, these Mountbatten Class Hovercraft were able to cruise at speeds in excess of 60 knots, allowing operators to complete 14 return trips each day during the busy summer schedule.

Powered by four marine variants of the Rolls Royce Proteus turboprop engine, each unit drove a massive 5.8 metre diameter variable Dowty Rotol propeller mounted-on pylons, which moved to provide the hovercraft with directional control, along with powered fins and rudders. At the time the SR.N4 entered service, this floating leviathan was the largest passenger hovercraft ever built, equipped with the largest propellers ever produced.

Allowing these fully amphibious craft to use terminals away from existing busy seaports, but close enough to still be convenient for passengers, you definitely knew when one of these mighty craft were inbound, because of the incredible noise produced by its Proteus engines.

Everything about this hovercraft was spectacular, which also made it one of the most impressive Airfix model kits ever produced, one making a welcome return to the 2026 Vintage Classics range in 1:144 scale.