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Hovercraft Bulletin
www.hovercraft-museum.org July to September 2001
In this Issue: Latest News from the Hovercraft Museum & Society Price £5
Hovercraft Industry News
Military Applications for Hovercraft
US Army Transportation Museum
Items From the Archives
Mark Porter’s 1:32 Radio Controlled SR.N4 Model
Round Up of Commercial Hovercraft for Sale
Hovershow News
Russian Craft
The former Soviet Union committed
significant economic resources to high
speed marine technology research,
particularly hydrofoils, amphibious hovercraft
and WIG vessels. Soviet forces had
operated a range of amphibious hovercraft
designs, including Gus, Aist, Lebed and
Pormornik (their NATO designations), in One of the Zubr class hovercraft recently rebuilt by Almaz Shipbuilding for Greece
varying mission profiles. That technology is
now attracting attention and providing export
potential for Russia and the CIS. support equipment. Additionally the craft, the gross weights are very different with the
then given the NATO designation Pormornik, Zubr returning 550 tonnes against 285
Almaz Shipbuilding Company yard in St is equipped to provide supporting fire and for tonnes for the SR.N4 Mk III. This is partly
Petersburg, Russia, and the Feodosia laying minefields. Typical capacity is for 360 explained by the extra strengthening of the
Shipbuilding Association Morye yard in the troops or 10 armoured personnel carriers or Zubr vehicle deck to accommodate tanks
Ukraine are each supplying a pair of Zubr three tanks. Typical weapons outfitting and other heavy vehicles, and by the
class military hovercraft to the Ministry of includes two turret-mounted 30mm provision of armour plating. The Zubr's load
Defence in Greece. The first of these craft, automatic machine guns on the forward bearing main structure is enhanced by two
Kefallinia, has been delivered with the upper hull structure, four portable anti- longitudinal bulkheads dividing the vehicle
remaining three craft due in service later this aircraft missile packs, and a pair of 140mm deck into three zones. Hydraulically
year. Kefallinia was originally constructed in MS 227 missile launching stations. Mine- operated integral bow and stem loading
1993 and has been extensively refurbished laying racks of up to 80 mines can be ramps are fitted.
and upgraded by Almaz, as are the two craft installed depending on the particular mission
from Morye in Feodosia. The fourth craft is a requirements. The Zubr is powered by five GTD 8000 gas
new building under construction at the Almaz turbines each developing 5,890 kW. Two of
facility. The total value of the four craft The dimensions of the Zubr are similar to the these units each drive a pair of NO-10-type
contracts is around US$200 million. BHC SR.N4 Mk III amphibious hovercraft 2.5m-diameter lift fans feeding a peripheral
formerly in commercial service on the bag and finger skirt. Three 5.5m diameter
The Zubr class hovercraft was originally English Channel with Hoverspeed. The four-bladed ducted propellers with variable
developed as for beach landing of advance Zubr's length overall is 57.3m and the beam pitch are mounted aft, driven by the
assault troops, armoured vehicles and is 25.6m (compared to the SR.N4 Mk Ill's remaining three power units. Two auxiliary
56.4m length and 27.9m breadth). However gas turbines each power an electrical
generator rated at 100kW.