Vosper-Thornycroft

Vosper Ltd and John Thornycroft & Co Ltd were both ship builders including fast patrol boats, in 1966 they merged to form the Vosper Thornycroft Group. Fast hovercraft seemed a natural step forward and in 1965 an application for a lience to produce hovercraft was made and a a small hovercraft department was formed within the group. The lience was obtained in late 1967 and the hovercraft department was expanded. The works were at Paulsgrove, within Portsmouth Harbour - see picture showing VT1-001 and VT1-002 (nearest camera).

Whether by intent or due to limitations in the original licence, VT used non-air propelled technology, this did have the advantages that water propellers were quieter and more efficient than air propellers and also that the 'sideways skid' typical of hovercraft when turning was reduced due to the keels (aka as skegs) in the water beneath the craft.

The VT1-M was the first craft produced by Vospers was launched in 1968 (?). It was described as 'semi-amphibious' and was a 40% scaled model of the intended production craft - the VT1-M was a five ton manned craft used to confirm the estimated and tank test performance. The description 'semi-amphibious' referred to the fact the craft could nose up onto a beach of suitable slope to allow passengers and vehicles to embark.

The full size VT1 craft was built at Portchester and the prototype was launched on 29th August 1969. Two production models followed. The VT1 was never really accepted, apart from some trial routes used to evaluate it around the UK and Scandinavia, the VT1 never went into serious operation. The two production models were scrapped in Portsmouth harbour in 1973.

In 1972, Vosper Thornycroft decided to convert the prototype VT1 into a fully amphibious craft by removing the skegs and water screws and replacing them with two ducted fans at the back of the craft. After conversion, the craft was renamed as the VT2.

The VT2 was purchased by the UK MOD(N) for evaluation by the Navy and the Interservices Hovercraft Unit. No further orders were placed for the VT2 and it eventually ended up in the scrap yard.

If anyone knows the history of Vospers from 1972 to the end (or any part of it), please let me know because this is a missing piece of the story.

(Click on an image to get a larger version)

VT1-M		Five ton manned, 40% scaled model used to confirm the estimated and tank test performance. crew of 2 30 kts 37 ft 4 inch long 17ft 5 inch beam 2 x 50 hp VW egines - lift 2 x 130 hp Porsche Type 2000 - propulsion Hovering draft 1 ft 6 in
VT1	not my photo - a Portsmouth and Sunderland Newspaper photo	Launched 29th August 1969 In the colours of Hovertravel. 2 crew, 146 passengers + 10 cars 40 kts 95 ft 6 inch long 44ft 6 inch beam 2 x 2000 hp Avco Lycoming Gas Turbine Hovering draft 3 ft 9 in
VT2	above picture source unknown	The VT1-001 converted for full amphibious operation. Handed to Royal Navy for trials 3rd April 1979 99 ft long 43 ft 6 in beam 60 knots 2 x 3800 shp Proteus Gas Turbine
FPH Mk3 concept		Designed to replace guided missile frigates and small destroyers, based on VT1 216 ft 6 in long 62 ft 4 in beam 60 kts crew 35 27,200 hp and 2 x 4,400 hp gas turbines

Cushioncraft - HDL/NPL - Hovermarine - Saunders-Roe/BHC - Vickers - Vosper Thornycroft
Hovertravel - Seaspeed

Other hovercraft websites:

• Hovercraft Museum - UK
• Griffon Hovercraft - one of the last UK manufacturers
• Paper Hovercraft - Hovercraft Art by Michael Gardner
• Saunders Roe/BHC Archives (photos etc)