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The Trevor Whelan Collection Hovercraft already appear on two pages within this site, but I could not resist adding one dedicated to these versatile machines. I first encountered a hovercraft - the Hovertransport SRN2 featured below - in June 1964, during a family holiday to the Isle of Wight. The SRN2 images were taken by my father, A.J.G. (Jim) Whelan, on an elderly roll film camera and I was very fortunate to rescue the negatives from destruction many years later. The majority of my own hovercraft images have been taken on the Solent and, unsurprisingly, are mostly of the Hovertravel fleet. However, my paternal grandparents lived in Ramsgate for a few years from 1977 and I managed a couple of visits to Pegwell Bay. Examples from a handful of monochrome images shot during these visits are reproduced below. |
 The Hovertransport SRN2 embarks passengers on the beach at Ryde; June 1964. (036604) |
 A young boy leans against the skirt of the SRN2. Clearly, a different take on health and safety in those days. (036603) |
 The Hovertransport "terminal" at Ryde was further south than Hovertravel's is today and far more rudimentary! (036303) |
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 Sand and spray in abundance as the SRN2 departs; June 1964. (036302) |
 One of Hovertravel's SRN6s is captured with my basic Instamatic 25 camera. Ryde, June 1969. (012909) |
 Another Hovertravel SRN6 at Ryde in June 1969, wearing a different livery. (012910) |
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 Hoverlloyd SRN4 Sure lifts into the hover; Ramsgate, May 1979. (022018) |
 Sure turns and glides towards the English Channel. Pegwell Bay, Ramsgate; May 1979. (022019) |
 Sure again, approaching Ramsgate on Sunday 24th August 1980. (034106) |
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 Hovertravel AP1-88 Island Express leaving Ryde; 17th September 2008. (DA4837) |
 Newly commissioned Hovertravel BHT-130 Solent Express is refuelled at Ryde; July 2007. (113509) |
 Island Express approaching Ryde on 11th September 2006. Wightlink's St Clare is visible heading for Fishbourne. (DC2293) |
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 The low profile of Solent Express is evident in this view at Southsea; 16th September 2007. (DC3492) |
 The front of the BHT-130 has an aggressive, almost military look about it. Stealth hovercraft anyone? Ryde, September 2007. (DC3494) |
 Solent Express squats on the pad at Ryde. Even fluffy clouds can't soften her lines. 6th June 2008. (DC4389) |
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 The steepness of the ramp at Southsea is shown to good effect as Island Express departs on 11th October 2007 (DC3615) |
 Island Express captured en route to Ryde, with one of the Palmerston forts in view. 28th June 2009 (DA5434) |
 Island Express departs from Ryde at low tide; 2nd July 2009. (DA5655) |
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 An attractive portrait of Freedom 90 as she leaves Ryde; 11th July 2010. (DA6933) |
 Freedom 90 approaching Ryde; 11th July 2010. (DA6958) |
 Port side detail of BHT-130 Solent Express on the pad at Ryde; 11th July 2010. (DA6926) |
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