The Saunders-Roe SR.N1 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 1) was the first practical hovercraft. The concept has its origins in the work of British engineer and inventor Christopher Cockerell , who succeeded in convincing figures within the services and industry, including those within British manufacturer Saunders-Roe . [ 1 ]

In 1959 it demonstrated the first practical hovercraft built under contract to the National Research Development Corporation to Christopher Cockerell's design, the SR.N1. In the same year Saro's helicopter and hovercraft interests were taken over by Westland Aircraft which continued the Skeeter family with the Scout and Wasp .

In 1958, the Government-backed National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) placed a contract with Saunders-Roe Limited to produce a full-scale Hovercraft designated SR-N1 and on 11th June 1959, the SR-N1 appeared in public for the first time carrying 4 men across the water at a recorded 28mph.

The SR.N1 was designed by Christopher Cockerell and built by Saunders-Roe on the Isle of Wight under the auspices of the National Research Development Corporation (NRDC). Powered by an Alvis Leonides radial piston engine that drove a lift fan, and using ducted air from the fan for propulsion, it first flew on 11 June 1959 in front of the ...

65 years ago today, on 11 June 1959, the Saunders-Roe Nautical 1 (SR-N1) hovercraft was flown in public for the first time on the Isle of Wight. This has been described as the world’s first hovercraft and at the time was seen as a key step towards a new technology that would alter transportation of the future.

Saunders-Roe, often abbreviated to Saro, was an amphibious aircraft manufacturer based on the Isle of Wight. It was established in 1929 when Alliott Verdon-Roe left Avro and, along with John Lord, acquired the boat building company S.E. Saunders.

SARO SR-N1 Classic Airfix plastic. This is the recent re-pop. Gotta love 1960s moulds!

2021年6月2日 · In 1958, the National Research and Development Corporation awarded Saunders-Roe a contract to build the first full sized hovercraft - the SR-N1 (Saunders-Roe - Nautical One). On the 11th June 1959, the SR-N1 was launched and, only 5 weeks later, the SR-N1 became the first hovercraft to cross the English Channel from Calais to Dover.

Saro SR-N1 prototype hovercraft, Cowes, 11 July 1959. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints, Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Jigsaw Puzzles, Metal Prints and so much more #MediaStorehouse

Mouse Mat of Saro SR-N1 prototype hovercraft, Cowes, 11 July 1959. Mouse Mat of Saro SR-N1 prototype hovercraft, Cowes, 11 July 1959 #MediaStorehouse. Skip to main content. Wall Art and Prints since 2003. ... Mouse Mat : Saunders Roe SR-N1. arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios ...