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Episode details

Radio Solent,2 mins

£10 million investment for unique Solent crossing

Lou Hannan

Available for over a year

In June 1959 a revolutionary new form of transport was launched in The Solent. The Hovercraft, which was described as a cross between an aircraft, a boat and a land vehicle, was invented by boat-builder Christopher Cockerell. A contract to build the first Hovercraft was awarded to Saunders Roe, the flying boat firm at Cowes. In 2016, two brand new hovercraft are about to enter service on the Solent. Just a matter of miles from the factory where they were invented. BBC Radio Solent's reporter Neil Sackley was one of the first to board the brand new craft for a special crossing.

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