Ref Number: 00449
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Originally based at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight, Cushioncraft later moved to the Duver Works at St. Helens, these works gave ready access to the sheltered water of Bembridge Harbour.
Ref Number: 00449
The initial hovercraft, constructed in 1960 by Britten-Norman Ltd, a prominent aircraft company, was commonly referred to as the ‘Cushioncraft’. Subsequently, it was officially recognised as the CC1. Cushioncraft was initially established at Bembridge Airport, located on the Isle of Wight. However, the company subsequently relocated to the Duver Works situated in St. Helen’s. These literary pieces provided convenient entry to the protected aquatic area of Bembridge Harbour.
The inaugural flight of the second iteration of the Cushioncraft, known as the CC2, took place in September of 1961. During that period, it was announced that Cushioncraft Ltd, a proposed collaborative venture between Britten-Norman and J. Samuel White, the Cowes shipbuilders, would undertake the construction of 10 crafts.
In reality, Britten-Norman constructed a mere three aircraft. In 1967, the Bitten-Norman Hovercraft Division underwent a name change and was subsequently rebranded as Cushioncraft Ltd. In the year 1971, Britten-Norman had financial difficulties, leading to the subsequent sale of the Cushioncraft firm to the British Hovercraft Corporation in 1972.
Craft: Cushioncraft 1, Cushioncraft 2, Cushioncraft 3, Cushioncraft 4, Cushioncraft 5, Cushioncraft 6, Cushioncraft 7.
After the CC7, the company decided that the Cushion Craft project would be shelved, marking the end of this unique hovercraft development.
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