The British Hovercraft Corporation AP1-88 is a medium size hovercraft.
As a civil passenger hovercraft it can seat up to 101 passengers. Two examples are used in the UK by Hovertravel on a route from Southsea in Hampshire to Ryde on the Isle of Wight. The AP1-88 has also run on a service from Sweden to Denmark.
As a troop carrier it can transport up to 90 troops. As a military logistics vessel it can carry two Land Rovers, a Bv202 tracked vehicle and trailer unit or about 10 tons (10,000 kg) of stores.
The AP1-88 is used in two versions by the Canadian Coast Guard. In the mid 1990s two AP1-88s, the AP1-88/200 and AP1-88/400, were ordered from GKN Westland Aerospace; the contract being awarded in 1996. The craft were built at Hike Metal Products in Wheatley, Ontario. The two 400 series were completed in August and December 1998.
CCGS Waban-Aki, AP1-88/200
CCGS Sipu Muin, AP1-88/400
CCGS Siyay, AP1-88/400
Type 200
Designer / Manufacturer: Westland Aerospace
Crew 3
Dimensions
Length 24.5 metres
Width 11.2 metres
Height (on cushion) 6.6 metres
Full load displacement 47.6 tons
Propulsion
Motor: diesel engines
Power: 4 Deutz AG diesel engines 600 horsepower for lift and propulsion
Propellers: 2 three-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Performance
Speed 50 knots
Military Lift: 12 tons of equipment
Weapons
None
Type 400
Designer / Manufacturer: Westland Aerospace
Crew 4
Dimensions
Length 28.5 metres
Width 12 metres
Height (on cushion)12 metres
full load displacement 69 tons
Propulsion
Motor: diesel engines
Power: 4 Caterpillar Inc. 3412 TTA diesel engines 912 horsepower for lift and propulsion
Propellers: 2 three-bladed variable-pitch propellers
Performance
Speed 50 knots
Military Lift: 22.6 tons of equipment
Weapons
None
