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The AP1-88 type hovercraft was conceived in the early 1980's out of a Hovertravel requirement for a larger more robust Hovercraft which possessed improved environmental characteristics relative to the then widely used SRN6. Designed by GKN Westland Aerospace the Hovercraft has been further refined and produced in a number of variants since 1983, orders for new build AP 1-88 Hovercraft must be placed through GKN Westland Aerospace. Total hours for the type now exceed 150,000, all without injury to those on board or near the craft.

Hoverwork can supply used AP1-88 hovercraft as follows:

• AP1-88/100 Hovercraft: 24.5m. long, up to 98 passengers or 12 tonnes.
• This type of craft can be configured as:

• Passenger transportation
• Combined passenger and freight, and
• Freighter, open or closed deck area.

The following images illustrate the above:

AP1-88 / 100 Passenger Hovercraft

Illustration of Hoverwork AP1-88 / 100 open deck Hovercraft

Combined Freighter / Passenger Hovercraft in action in Canada.

NEW PERFORMANCE - Freedom90

General Arrangement of AP1-88 / 100 passenger Hovercraft

General Arrangement of AP1-88 / 100 open deck Hovercraft

Additional Hovercraft Pictures of some of our working Hovercraft in various locations

• Craft
• Power Units & Transmission
• Engine Lubrication Oil System
• Transmission Lubrication
• Hydraulic System
• Fuel System
• Electrical System
• Radio Equipment

AP1-88 Hovercraft - General Description

The AP1-88 hovercraft is manufactured mainly from welded marine aluminium and is powered by four air cooled diesel engines. The primary Hovercraft structure comprises bouyancy tanks, fore and aft shear walls and engine and fan mounting structures. The flexible Hovercraft skirt is attached to the secondary structure which is outboard of the primary structure and contains the lift engines and lift fans.

The Hovercraft passenger cabin contains seating for 100 passengers and is entered by port and starboard doors at the rear of the cabin. A crew door at the forward end doubles as an emergency exit. Hand baggage racks are provided at the rear of the cabin and panniers on the aft side decks carry heavier luggage. The control cabin is raised above the passenger cabin at the forward end. Access is by a door in the port side of the control cabin which may be gained by a ladder from the fore deck or by a ladder from the port aft side deck. Alternative access is by an internal ladder from the passenger cabin through a hatch in the control cabin floor.

The Hovercraft forward propulsion is provided by two, 12 cylinder Deutz, turbo charged diesel engines driving shafting at crankshaft level and connected to the upper propeller shafting by toothed driving belts. Thrust is provided by two Hoffmann, fixed pitch, four bladed propellers in ducted enclosures. The slipstream from each propellor passes over three rudders for directional control. Port and starboard bow thrusters are fitted which provide additional directional control sideforce, and a rolling moment into the resultant turn, they can also be operated in the reverse mode. The thrust from the bow thrusters is directly proportional to lift engine r/min.

Two, 12 cylinder Deutz diesel engines similar to the propulsion engines are mounted within the port and starboard side structure and each driving three pairs of centrifugal fans. The forward pair in each case is used to supply air to the bow thrusters and to provide ventilation air for the passenger cabin. The other two pairs supply lift air to the cushion.

Fuel is carried in three welded aluminium tanks, two forward and one aft and is also used for ballast trim purposes. The Hovercraft fuel system is fitted with electrically operated shut off cocks, fuel booster pumps and filters with water separators.

The passenger cabin is heated by warm air heated by the lift engines lubricating oil. The control cabin is fitted with electric heaters supplied from the craft dc electrical system.

The Hovercraft 28V dc electrical system is powered by four, engine driven generators. Distribution is by main busbar and an associated auxillary busbar, with emergency services drawing power from an emergency battery and an essential services busbar.

An intercom and public address system is incorporated and external communications is by VHF radio. A radar installation is provided for collision avoidance and in conjunction with the compass as a navigational aid.

The Hovercraft engine bays are equipped with fire detection and double discharge fire suppression systems. Portable, hand operated extinguishers are also carried in the control cabin and passenger cabin.

The Hovercraft safety equipment comprises first aid chest, signalling light, red parachute flares, floating line and quoit, fire axes, torches, knives, infants life jackets, crew life jackets and seat stowed life jackets for each passenger. Two lifebouys are provided, one by the passenger doors, each equipped with a 28m life life. The four liferafts capable of carrying all all passengers and crew members.

Click here if you would like to see an Isometric Drawing of the AP 1-88 Hovercraft.