The SRN 6 hovercraft, depicted on the 1/3d. Great Britain stamp is used on the Hoverlloyd cross-Channel service inaugurated during the past summer between Ramsgate and Calais. Carrying 38 passengers, the craft has an overall length of 48 ft. 5 ins., a beam of 23 ft. and an overall height of
15 ft. Passengers are accommodated in a single cabin with a length of 21 ft. 9 ins. by 7 ft. 8 ins, in width, with a floor area of 166 sq. ft.
Powered by a Bristol Siddeley Marine Gnome gas turbine of 900 h.p., giving a maximum speed of 56 knots in calm weather, the Westland SRN 6 can operate at a much reduced speed in waves up to 5 ft. in height. It has a Dowty Rotol 4-blade variable pitch propeller and a Westland centrifugal lifting fan, the latter having a diameter of 7 ft. Fuel capacity is 265 Imperial gallons and the craft has a range of 200 nautical miles in smooth water.
One of its great advantages is that it can operate at any time of tide, since it is amphibious and requires no docks or piers. Against this must be set the disadvantages of being unable to operate in anything above a Force 5 wind or waves higher than 5 ft. However, normally the craft can make at least 10 return crossings per day between Ramsgate and Calais.
There can be no doubt that the hovercraft has come to stay as a new form of transport. Covers carried on these pioneer craft will be well worth acquiring now by any stamp collector, as will the stamps; they will prove a good investment for the future. The original hovercraft service between Rhyl and Wallasey, operated by British United Airways Ltd. as an experimental project in July 1962, used a Vickers VA-3 hovercraft carrying 24 passengers and one traffic officer. A special postmark showing the VA-3 was applied to mail carried on the opening day, July 20. These letters and post cards are still obtainable, although scarce, and will be historic items for collectors in the future. This hovercraft bore the number G-15-253.
SG603 Sea Breezes 12/66