Gizmodo: hovercraft

Make Your Own R/C Hovercraft Out of Old Junk

Sean Fallon — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:40:00 EDT

My guess is that most of the guys out there would love their own R/C hovercraft, but the bottom line is that not everyone can afford a fancy commercial version. Well, if you have some junk lying around the house, some time on your hands, and you don't mind a hovercraft that is butt friggin' ugly, you can build your own R/C model for under $50 (depending on what kind of junk you have lying around) and the instructions from Project Hovercraft.

[Hacked Gadgets via Make via DVICE]

Plasma-Powered Hovercraft Patent

Adrian Covert — Fri, 09 May 2008 19:30:00 EDT

The patent shown is for an aircraft to be powered off the ground using a plasma technology. Subrata Roy, a University of Florida aerospace engineer, proposes the existing technique of passing a magnetic wave through a conducting fluid can produce a force strong enough to lift an aircraft off the ground. Granted, the example in the patent is only 15 cm, and attempts by others haven't gone particularly well. But with phrases like magnetohydrodynamics being thrown around, I keep flashing back to the space travel scene in Contact and getting excited. Subrata Roy must be a poet. [WIPO via Ubergizmo]

Russia's Zubr Hovercraft May Finally Justify Use Of "Xtreme"

Mark Wilson — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:00:00 EDT

This admittedly isn't the newest military tech on the block, but The History Channel in us just couldn't help writing it up. Russia makes the world's largest military hovercraft dubbed the "Zubr." It displaces 621 tons and can haul twice the payload of similar boats from the US Navy (somewhere around 150 tons).

With production dating back to 1988, the last Zubr looks to have launched in 2004. Capable of carrying multiple tanks and a nice mix of 140mm rocket pods, 30mm cannons and air defense missiles, the Zubr can cruise for 300 miles before rapidly deploying troops and equipment close to shore. Scratch that. Directly on shore. In other words, it's just like that R/C vehicle you lusted after in the '90s, but it's way bigger and actually good for something. Or, in this case, potentially very, very bad. [English Russia, Naval Technology and Defense Industry Daily]

Ice Hovercraft School Bus Is Coolest, Worst News for Students Ever

Jesus Diaz — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 06:34:57 EST

This ice hovercraft school bus has to be the coolest and worst news ever to descend upon children all over the world. I mean, I would have loved to go to school in one of these spiffy snowspeeders powered by dual fan engines.

But then again, I was like Calvin when the snow paralyzed the life of the city, like it is happening now in some parts of the US: I just loved to stay at home with Hobbes, playing with toys, constructing LEGOs or watching movies while having hot chocolate and cookies. What's going to be for you?

[International Herald Tribune]

Flying Boat; You Will Get Wet

Haroon Malik — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 17:50:00 EDT

Rudy Heeman was meant for greater things, as is obvious by his superhero last name, Heeman. The lunatic mechanic from New Zealand has spent the last 11 years constructing a flying boat / hovercraft. Is there any better way to spend 11 years? We think not. We can only imagine what Mr. Heeman's telephone conversations entail:

Heeman's friend: "Sup, man?"
Heeman: "Oh nothing much, I'm just flying across the ocean in my flying boat."

The vehicle, dubbed the Hoverwing, has taken Mr. Heeman 800 hours of assembly time and is only now nearing completion. During the first test flight, the crazy genius did not allow his daughters to watch in case he ended up as a mangled mess. He also chose a location close to the local hospital to ensure help would be at hand if needed. He seems to be capable of understanding basic risk, but his lack of respect for the laws of physics impresses us no end. According to Mr. Heeman, all in the name of the project, he has spent tens of thousands of dollars, learnt how to become a fiberglass laminator and modified a Subaru car engine.

The optimum flight level for the Hoverwing is set at 1.5m above water level and the speed record stands at 98kmh. Rudy is having a tough time deciding who to take along with him on the first official flight. I think he should take someone with a name beginning with the letter 'H' and ending with the letter 'N', just like Mr. Heeman's name does. His choice should further be limited to ~~Gizmodo's writing staff~~ Gizmodo's weekend writing staff. [Nelson Mail via Raw Feed]

DIY Ghetto Hovercraft Uses a Leaf Blower and Duct Tape (Naturally)

Matt Buchanan — Sun, 20 May 2007 13:38:05 EDT

If you're looking for something to keep the kids busy on a Saturday morning (and they've already finish mowing the lawn, sweeping the gutters and trimming the hedges) then this leaf blower-powered hovercraft construction project might be a good way to keep them busy so you can watch Saturday morning cartoons in peace.

Just tell them not to dart into traffic since they'll have to use their $2-a-week allowance to pay the hospital bills if they get smacked by a car.– Matt Buchanan

[via Neatorama]

Air Hogs Storm Launcher - R/C Hovercraft

Mark Wilson — Sun, 15 Oct 2006 13:30:51 EDT

Remember that video we lnked to a while back with some guys playing with this ridiculously cool dual-propeller hovercraft/plane/thing? The video is gone, but now it's a real product.

The Storm Launcher runs $120 (or three easy payments of $39.95) and comes with a LIPO battery pack and charger, 2 extra propeller blades, 2 prop guards, prop tool and instructional CD. Our guess is that if you get 2 extra propellers in the kit, you will need about 20, but maybe you are a Storm Launcher prodigy and didn't even know it.

Our "tipster" - quotes because the guy wrote like their infomercial, and for his sake we hope he is receiving a paycheck - said that if you didn't want to buy off TV or their website, check out Target and Walmart who should have them on shelves shortly. But those bundles will lack batteries. – Mark Wilson

Product Page Thanks "Chris"!