Recent posts
#1
General / Re: Edit a listing
Last post by John Robertson - Apr 12, 2026, 9:37 amThere is a courtesy edit time on new posts of 60 minutes - after that they can't be edited (except by a moderator or Admin). There is also now a draft option on posts so you can come back to it before posting (Drafts are kept for 7 days). I've removed the duplicate post.
#2
General / Re: engine frame,
Last post by Ian Brooks - Apr 10, 2026, 10:15 pmAnother Otter. With all the latest refinements, mine is still the original design and a number of improvements are available! Not to mention that mine is over 12 years old and I fancy a shiny new one!
#3
General / Edit a listing
Last post by John mcgonigal - Apr 10, 2026, 4:56 pmHi I have my uh18 hoverwing , unfinished project listed in the for sale section of the site, under the heading make me an offer, but it appears to have listed twice and I can't figure out how to sort it. Does anyone have any idea how I can edit or delete the second listing ? Thanks for any help or advice .
John
John
#4
For Sale & Wanted / For sale make me an offer
Last post by John mcgonigal - Apr 08, 2026, 9:15 pmUh18 spw hoverwing flies in ground effect at approximately 60 to 70 MPH
Note: the hoverwing can also be used as a hovercraft without fitting the wings.
Because of work commitments, age and some health issues I have decided to part company with my hoverwing.
So it will be sold as an unfinished project
I started the build in 2013, as a hobby project and not as something that needed to be built as soon as possible.
My interest was in the build process and not to actually fly it , I've never been that interested in flying it.
The craft is complete apart from a few cosmetic items needed to finish it, I will list what I think it needs to be done below.
The craft is 26 feet in length nose to tail and 7 feet wide, the hull without the tail is 18 feet nose to tail.
I have designed the tail to be removable / detachable without too much effort.
It is fitted with a 9 blade hascon lift fan and a 64" thrust prop, driven by a Subaru EA81 engine 75 BHP , the engine has been fully rebuilt with new pistons, rings, crank bearings and the cylinder heads have been fully refurbished. I have designed the engine frame to take the Subaru Ej 20 engine if needed, so it should be a straight forward drop in without any mods.
The tail is a bespoke design by myself and co build partners.
Steering is operated by joystick with motorcycle throttle.
The lift fan can be operated by use of a lever and variator pulley to control the lift fan when in flight.
The craft comes with a full set of plans and construction manual including operating instructions.
I also have a few spare pulleys, pillow blocks and I think there might be a couple of spare shafts in the box - a spare lift fan is also included in the sale, all brand new never been used.
The craft is in my workshop and so far has never been tested.
It dose NOT come with a trailer, so whoever might be bold enough to make me an offer will need to arrange your own transport / trailer or hiab flatbed truck.
Experienced hovercrafters will know that I've spent a small fortune on this project and just how much work has gone into it.
It's time for me to let it go to a new owner, so I am open to all / any sensible offers.
List of what i think would finish the build
1 wiring, it does not have any form of wire harness , so nothing electrical is connected
2 the seat needs a cushion
3 screen wiper
4 door handles and latch mechanism
5 engine needs to be marinised
6 the wings have still to be built
This is not a complicated job
7 Nav lights need fitted, ( also included in the sale)
8 the thrust prop will need to be trimmed to size and balanced, this information is in the build instructions and is not complicated
9 I assume there will be a few other footery wee bits that will be needed plus a few tweaks here and there.
10 the craft hovers well but there might be some adjustments to be made to balance the craft.
This sale includes 2 brand new thrust propellers , these props are only available from windbornestudeo.biz USA and cost a fortune. Approximately £500 each plus tax plus import duty . One of the props is original and the other was carved by me on my clone carver, it is an exact copy.
I will try to answer any questions about the craft to the best of my ability
Thanks for taking the time to view my advertisement8
#5
General / Re: Shaping the Prop. guard.
Last post by Nick Flint - Apr 04, 2026, 10:13 amCan I ask why it says "Not a club member" beneath each person (who IS a club member)?
#6
General / Re: Shaping the Prop. guard.
Last post by John Robertson - Mar 31, 2026, 10:35 amWhen you come to assembling it I'd try to find a way to bolt/screw the bits together rather than weld (welding compromises the galvanising in too large an area for the sacrificial zinc to cope with causing continuous corrosion - yearly maintenance required). Cable tie the side metal mesh on at least.
If I was doing it again I'd use thin wall aluminium angle braces bolted through (flattened ends with M5/6 stainless) something like this. The internal braces would need a slight outward curve to match the guard diameter but it would be stiffer and looks a bit less agricultural to me!
If I was doing it again I'd use thin wall aluminium angle braces bolted through (flattened ends with M5/6 stainless) something like this. The internal braces would need a slight outward curve to match the guard diameter but it would be stiffer and looks a bit less agricultural to me!
#7
General / Re: Shaping the Prop. guard.
Last post by Eric Yeoman - Mar 31, 2026, 1:23 amOK. Thanks, I'll push on.
#8
General / Re: Shaping the Prop. guard.
Last post by John Robertson - Mar 30, 2026, 11:19 amThe 'bit at a time' method works fine - although you only need to make a bend every 100mm or so (you won't notice it from more than a couple of feet away!). I chalk scribe to curve on a flat floor or a wood sheet and keep checking it as you bend. Other thing to watch for is for twisting (which will happen) - easily fixed if you do it when checking against the curve line. It's not exactly precision engineering - just a guard!
Alternatively find a local engineering place that has a powered bender - it'll ned a couple of tries to setup but only takes a few seconds after that.
Alternatively find a local engineering place that has a powered bender - it'll ned a couple of tries to setup but only takes a few seconds after that.
#9
General / Shaping the Prop. guard.
Last post by Eric Yeoman - Mar 30, 2026, 9:05 amI would be thankful to anyone that can give a few tips on curving the prop. guard. I have the 3/4" galvanised tube & a tube bender for that size, however, I feel a bit unsure of the results doing an inch at a time, as per. Barry. I've thought about a full size template but willing to listen to other, better?, ideas. (yes, I know,,19mm & 25mm,,,I'm old , I'm allowed. 73 this Month, 
).
). #10
General / Could be a useful technique
Last post by Al - Mar 27, 2026, 8:26 amI saw this on Facebook and thought this could have applications on hovercraft:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/185Ybpq7pk/
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/185Ybpq7pk/