BALCLUTHA MAN’S HOVERCRAFT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29938, 27 September 1962, Page 12

BALCLUTHA MAN’S HOVERCRAFT

(New Zealand Press Association)

DUNEDIN, Sept. 26. A Balclutha man has de* ▼eloped a type of• hovercraft which is unlike any machine previously built The man. Mr Phil Ward, has incorporated in his invention a synthetic curtain which surrounds an air bubble trapped beneath the machine. Mr Ward has been experimenting with hovercraft ideas for more than a year and his latest model embodies ideas and techniques which he used In previous ones. He has called his invention “bubble lift." Mr Ward was reluctant to give many details of his invention because he intends applying for patent rights. He explained that bis machine differed from a hovercraft in that it floated on an air bubble trapped in a synthetic curtain. The curtain stayed partly in contact with the ground but did not create any noticeable friction. A 2} b.p. lawnmower motor drove a centrifugal fan to provide the necessary air pressure to form the bubble, he qaid With the small petrol motor,

the machine could lift nearly 6001 b, but it did not propel itself. Mr Ward said he was still experimenting with a propeller drive system. Hovercraft of similar size required a motor of at least 5 h.p.—double that needed for the bubble lift. The machine in its present form bad industrial uses in that it could carry large loads and was easily manoeuvrable. It could be used as a large wheelbarrow at an economical cost. It required only a slight push to set in motion

Unconventional Boat

A boat designed “to ride on air" has been built by 73-year-old Mr J. Kelsey, of Bucklands Beach. Mr Kelsey, who is crippled in both legs designed and built the 20ft 6in boat, named the Golden Slipper, unaided. He incorporated a scoop in the bow to feed air to a step under the hull. Running aft from the step are three skishaped bilge keels. It is hoped the boat will ride on these at speed.