HOVERCRAFT TEST FLIGHT; SPECTATORS.




Initials GEM/V/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: A TINY HOVERCRAFT THAT AMATEURS CAN BUILD AT HOME HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN BRITAIN, AND MADE ITS FIRST SUCCESSFUL TEST FLIGHT TODAY (SUNDAY).

THE FIRST MACHINE BUILT FROM THE NEW HOVERKIT MADE ITS MAIDEN FLIGHT AT THE BIGGIN HILL AERO CLUB IN ENGLAND. IT HAD TAKEN EXACTLY TWO WEEKS TO BUILD IT FROM THE KIT.

ANY HANDYMAN COULD BUILD THE LITTLE HOVERCRAFT IN A GARAGE WITH NO MORE EQUIPMENT THAN A FEW ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD TOOLS. THE MACHINE IS POWERED BY TWO TWO-STROKE ENGINES. ONE FOR HOVER POWER AND THE OTHER FOR FORWARD THRUST. THE OVERALL LENGTH IS A MERE TEN FEET (3 METRES).

THE FIRST MAN EVER TO FLY A HOVERCRAFT, THE CHIEF TEST PILOT FOR WESTLAND AIRCRAFT, COMMANDER PETER LAMB, WELCOMED THE LITTLE CRAFT. BUT HE ADVISED ENTHUSIASTS TO "TAKE IT EASY" WHEN THEY BEGAN FLYING.