Catalogue description Hovercraft: Reports

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Details of BT 268
Reference: BT 268
Title: Hovercraft: Reports
Description:

This series contains reports, from a variety of sources, on hovercraft.

These reports come from a number of sources and include some publicity and promotional reports. The material is probably all unpublished and, although some may be available elsewhere, it forms a unique collection. Its exact provenance is not certain.
Date: 1957-1980
Related material:

For other related files see:

AVIA 98

FV 36
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Creator:

Board of Trade, Marine Division, 1965-1970

Department of Trade and Industry, Marine Division, 1970-1974

Department of Trade, Marine Division, 1974-1983

Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Marine Department, 1953-1959

Ministry of Transport, Marine Group, 1959-1965
Physical description: 1008 volume(s)
Access conditions: Open unless otherwise stated
Immediate source of acquisition:

From 1989 Department of Trade and Industry
Administrative / biographical background:

Mr C Cockerell patented the hovercraft principle in 1955 and formed a company, called Hovercraft Ltd, to exploit its potential. The Ministry of Supply showed a fleeting interest in 1956-1957 but this was not developed. Cockerell then got the backing of the National Research and Development Corporation (NRDC) and in 1958 a joint company, Hovercraft Development Ltd, was formed to continue research and development.

The SRN1, built by Saunders Roe for Hovercraft Development Ltd, crossed the Channel successfully in 1959.

Responsibility for the NRDC passed to the Ministry of Technology (Mintech) in 1964-1965 and then back to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in 1971. In 1974 the responsibility for hovercraft development passed briefly to the Ministry of Defence DG Ships before expiring. During this time Hovercraft Development Ltd became a wholly owned subsidiary of the NRDC and up to 1978 the company was still trading, getting its income from licensing fees. At some time the research area of the company passed to the National Physical Laboratory.

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