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Human powered hovercraft crosses The Thames; doesn't sink
It seems like human powered vehicles are all the rage these days, but who would have figured that it would be possible to make a human powered hovercraft?
Steam Boat Willy was built by a University of London flight club, and it looks like it's surprisingly easy to make it fly across the water. Steering seems to be a weak point however.
SteamBoatWilly.org, via Make.com
By kp at 1:54 PM ON 08/15/09
rudder? who needs a rudder?
By Jamion at 2:37 PM ON 08/15/09
Think he needs to gear up. Also don't stop pedaling in the middle of the water... that thing looked like it deflated rather fast when he stopped.
By trinity343 at 3:17 PM ON 08/15/09
is it really a hover craft? it looks more like he just blows up the pontoon...balloon.... and then pushes himself forward with the propellers. if it were a true hover craft should it not be able to go across land as well and not just water? it looks to me like as soon as he hits the beach there is not more forward motion b/c the bottom of the thing is hitting the ground...which if so it isn't really hovering now is it
By democratsarefascists at 4:43 PM ON 08/15/09
I've seen it move on land.
It's not at all practical, but it's no doubt fun.
Now if it could cross The Channel...
By the way dvice's CAPTCHA method SUCKS! It has never, never, never submitted properly the first time.
By kash at 8:09 PM ON 08/15/09
That things seems like a lot of work and no steering. That sucks. This would be a great device for people to lose weight with. Imagine someone sitting on this and exercising. Add a way to get energy to be created from this thing and we'll be gold. http://ziggytek.com/
By Basil at 8:46 PM ON 08/15/09
My hovercraft is full of eels.
By Hired Mind at 9:51 PM ON 08/15/09
It does have steering - you can turn the propeller around - he even does that in the video.
By greg at 9:52 PM ON 08/15/09
I don't think its a hovercraft.
Its just a raft.
its not "hovering"
By t at 12:27 AM ON 08/16/09
Did not cross the river.
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