NBHS Hovercraft
About the School Hovercraft
In January 1994 a small group of NBHS pupils got together with their technology teacher, Mr.Caldicott, to construct and then, hopefully, 'fly' a challenger hovercraft. This hovercraft is designed to hold 1-2 people. At the first meeting, many people were expected to turn up but only six did: Thomas Cook, Samuel Jack, Mark Bissell, Edward Pearce, Andrew Hingley and Adam Brown.
Unfortunatley, Adam Brown stopped coming a few weeks into the project, leaving only five enthusisastic members. The hovercraft has been slowly taking shape ever since.
The Building of the Hovercraft
Construction of the hovercraft started with the building of a frame out of 20mm width wood. The frame was quite complex and so took a long time to construct.
After this had been completed we started on the plywood boards that made the outer body of the craft. These were fairly tricky to cut as they were very large. The angled corners were also difficult. After the main peices of plywood had been put on we drilled air holes in them so the air could flow in to inflate the skirt.
Painting of what was now the hull then ensued. This consisted of a layer of white emulsion, followed by grey undercoat and then finally a top coat of school blue.
The school aquired an engine and a duct to control the air flow. The next task was therefore to make mountings for the engine, fan, and duct.
The building of the hovercraft has recently resumed again after the refurbishment of the school technology block.
Trip to Weston Park
Toward the end of last academic year, the school hovercraft club embarked on a trip to Weston Park, Shropshire, to view a meeting of the National Hovercraft Club of Great Britain.
The trip was extremly interesting. We were able to view the hovercrafts racing and being prepared. Some of the larger hovercrafts could attain quite high speeds, which made watching the racing very exiting.
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By Thomas Cook and Mark Bissell