Argo hovercraft - a glance from outside

Here it is, the amphibious boat Argo constructed at the Svir Shipyard. A hovercraft constructed under a classical "amphibious" design represents a flat-bottom aluminium boat whose hull has flexible keels and a circular plastic contour - a skirt. While Argo hovercraft stands on the ground or freely drifts in the water, its aerodynamic clothing hangs down the boards. But as soon as the engines start and superfluous pressure forms under the bottom, the "flying saucer" straighten its "hem", "blows out cheeks" haughtily and hangs above the supporting surface. We increase the thrust of cruising propellers - and a drifting vessel turns into a flying boat!

Unlike the hovercraft manufactured in Nizhniy Novgorod, our Argo has no inflated guides (skegs) under the bottom and, when rising on the cushion, it distributes air regularly throughout the "hem" perimeter. What does this provide? First of all, survivability: If there are no inflated elements, there is neither a risk to pierce them; therefore, at unexpected contacts with obstacles (ice hummocks, logs, stones, etc.) a boat with fully detachable skirt is more reliable. Seaworthiness of the "amphibious" design is also higher - firstly, because of a great height (0.4 m) of the cushion's flexible protection and, secondly, because of its special cut. The upper part of Argo's skirt represents a flexible "monolith" in rubberized fabric, while the lower part consists of dismantable elements (kerchiefs) with high pliability in horizontal plane. At strong rolls and on passing obstacles, the bottom level takes the form of the surface, protecting the cushion from sharp losses of pressure.

The power pattern of Argo hovercraft is based on the principle "two in one". There are two independent engines, two power units, two transmissions and two pairs of air propellers, one of which plays the role of elevating fans and the other provides the propulsive thrust. The engines of Argo hovercraft (gasoline motors the VAZ - 2112, 1.6 L 16 V, with a modified control program) are installed longitudinally in the stern part of the vessel and covered with a splashproof cowl. By means of the clutch coupling, transfer gearbox and cardan shafts, each motor rotates its pair of air propellers - the cushion charger and the cruising propeller, the torque to which is transferred by flat-tooth belts. We should note that all transmission units of the boat, including belt drives, work in closed carters through which warm air from the engine room is blown - this provides for preliminary warming-up of the units in winter time and protection from mechanical damage.

A highlight of Argo hovercraft transmission is the mechanism of pitch change installed in the naves of cruising propellers. By default, the plastic blades of the main propeller are set for positive attack angle, i.e. for the maximum longitudinal thrust. If the captain/driver presses a pedal, the blades will turn first to "zero" (minimum thrust) and then to a negative angle (reverse). What does this provide? Firstly, the braking. Secondly, the possibility to move in reverse. Thirdly, the maneuverability (by launching the propellers in opposite directons, it is possible to make Argo turn around on the spot). And, fourthly, the passability. If we set the blades of cruising propellers to zero position (minimum longitudinal thrust) and raise the engines' revolutions up to nominal, the "low speed" will switch on - the boat will hang at the maximum possible height but will move in longitudinal direction with a pedestrian speed. In this way Argo overcomes ice hummocks, flies over sunken logs and forces stony coasts.

Controls of Argo hovercraft.

Inclination of air rudders makes the vessel turn around its axis, while the direction of movement hardly changes at all. If you work at insignificant angles, everything can be controlled - Argo hovercraft rises on an arch with a small delay and moves in a desired heading. But as soon as you put the rudder over a bit more sharply, the boat bucks instantly: surge of the stern, lateral drift and … "flight" with the same heading!

Argo hovercraft is equipped with alternative controls enabling to put a boat on a correct trajectory beforehand or to avoid collision with an obstacle in a critical situation. If due to a strong lateral wind or waves the reaction to the rudder turn is indistinct, it is possible to make the cushion change the direction of movement by the thrust disbalance. We lower revolutions of one engine just a little, pass to circulation, then we make the tachometer pointer rise to the value as before - and we fly in a straight direction again. The same operation helps to keep heading stable with a strong lateral wind. Another "magic wand" is the blades reverse mechanism. If you press the right pedal during a straight movement, the cruising propeller blades will turn towards "zero", the thrust at the vessel's right board will fall and there will be a torque with rotation axis in the stern area - it is also possible and necessary to use it. As for the critical situations in water when it is necessary to reduce speed sharply and make "resetting", skilled navigators recommend to make left full and sharply reduce the left engine thrust. The boat will tilt immediately and, by braking with the "sunken" board, will make a saving curve.

To explain these and other subtleties to a beginner, a four-hour theoretical course conducted by a professional instructor will be sufficient, after which a driving license for hovercraft will be given.

Argo hovercraft is equipped with a comfortable and universal interior. Variants of interior furnishing are provided by the customer's request.

By matching the existing requirements, Argo hovercaft is equipped with modern communication systems, navigation and radar equipment of the world leading manufacturers. Such options provide for a safe and convenient all-year-round operation of the vessel at any time.

The materials of this article have been prepared on the basis of feedback from the customers operating our Agro hovercraft.