Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Rudy Heeman’s DIY hovercraft lands at ‘Trade Me’ for auction


Some people think of doing that others haven’t thought of and some achieve it in meanwhile. This suits no batter than a New Zealand man, Rudy Heeman of Nelson, who has designed and built a machine that can fly and could be used as boat or land...

rudy heemans diy hovercraft


Some people think of doing that others haven’t thought of and some achieve it in meanwhile. This suits no batter than a New Zealand man, Rudy Heeman of Nelson, who has designed and built a machine that can fly and could be used as boat or land vehicle.


This hovercraft took almost a decade of Rudy’s stern efforts to bring it to the present form. Made in the inventor’s garage, this hovercraft is crafted while using various parts from other vehicles like scooters, BBQs, and junked cars.



This machine works as a boat as long as it doesn’t hit 70km/h. Once it touches this landmark, it takes to the sky. This machine which is technically a boat doesn’t require a pilot license to fly it.


Other than having Rudy’s aerodynamic principles and acquired knowledge of fiberglass lamination, this machine has a 1.8 liter Subaru engine which allows for a maximum of 225 kilometers and its wings are removable.


When in flight, this machine can carry only two people or 160 kg, but in hovercraft mode the capacity increases to three people. The maximum altitude of this Flying Hovercraft is around 3 meters.


And surprisingly, some of the parts in this flying hovercraft are household items including an old gas bottle of a barbecue. On the other, Rudy has to make some special tools in order to form some of the more unusual components.


If you fancy having your own hovercraft, this machine is available on the New Zealand auction site Trade Me till 13th March, and the bid for the same has already gone beyond $26,000.


rudy heemans diy hovercraft 1rudy heemans diy hovercraft 2


Via: Diseno-art




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