1959: Hovercraft's first cross-channel voyage

A revolutionary new form of transport that can operate on sea and land makes its first cross-channel voyage from Calais to Dover.

Proud hovercraft inventor Christopher Cockerell says he thinks it will be a few years before it takes off.

This clip includes radio commentary by Ronald Robson, which replaces missing sections of the original television audio.

BBC Archive: Originally broadcast 25 July 1959.