The unidentified hovercraft spotted sitting at the Hovertravel terminal in Ryde (CP online, 07-01-22) won't be unfamiliar with those who have used the service in the past.

It is in fact one of the BHT130 hovercraft designed and built by Hoverwork at their St Helens works before the company was merged with Griffon.

Pictured above is the Solent Express - one of the completed craft in Hovertravel livery at Ryde circa 2007 - and this craft had a sister, the Island Express — both were operated by Hovertravel.

I also have pictures of the shell of the one of the craft (built by Aluminium Ship Builders, Fishbourne) at the St Helens works.

Isle of Wight County Press: The unidentified hovercraft at Ryde is actually one of the BHT130 hovercraft designed and built by Hoverwork at their St Helens works before the company was merged with Griffon. Photo: Tony Barton.

The shell of one of the BHT130 hovercraft, designed and built by Hoverwork at their St Helens works. Photo: Tony Barton.

Later the Solent Express was chartered to Stagecoach for a two-week trial on a new passenger service between Kickcaldy and Portobello across the Firth of Forth in Scotland.

I understand that the BHT130 was found to be uneconomical on the cross-Solent route and was replaced by the Griffon 12000TD hovercraft in 2016.

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