Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 22, 2026

SR.N3

The British Hovercraft Corporation SR.N3 was a 37.5 ton hovercraft originally designed by Saunders-Roe.

Last revised
Jun 22, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
163 w
Citations
4
Source
SR.N3 from the UK Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit, Lee-On-Solent source ↗

The British Hovercraft Corporation SR.N3 was a 37.5 ton hovercraft originally designed by Saunders-Roe.1

Launched in 1963, it was primarily aimed at military deployment. It was a military version of the SR.N22

Propulsion and lift were provided by four rear-mounted Bristol-Siddeley Gnome gas turbine engines that allowed the SR.N3 to cruise at 70 knots. The British IHTU (Interservice Hovercraft Trials Unit), based at Browndown, Stokes Bay, tested the SR.N3 in a wide variety of conditions, including ice.3 On 16 September 1964 an SR.N3 operated satisfactorily in a full gale and six foot seas.2 The SR.N3 never entered full service and ended up being used for target practice.

References

References

  1. Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 250. ISBN 9780850451634.
  2. H.F. King (27 May 1965). "The SR.Ns Till Now". Flight International: 69–70.
  3. Air-Cushion Vehicles. June 1964.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: untitled periodical (link)
External links
  • SR.N3 - Hovercraft Museum