Griffon Hoverwork will be exhibiting at Euronaval 2024 from 4-7 November 2024

1870s - 1960s

Inventing The "Hovercraft"

The concept of an "air-cushion" vehicle was first explored by the British engineer Sir John Thornycroft in the 1870s as a way of reducing the drag experienced by boats using a pocket of air between the hull and water. In the 1930s Russian aerodynamicist Vladimir Lekov took this a step further, experimenting with the "sidewall" hovercraft which proved to be fast but unreliable.

It was not until British Inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell developed his British Government funded prototype, the SR.N1, that the modern day hovercraft was born into reality. This craft famously crossed the English Channel on July 25 1959 forever changing the way humans could travel between land and sea. In 1961 hovercraft skirts were introduced to the design which provided far greater performance abilities and sea keeping. 

John Gifford, Sir Christopher Cockerell And Edwin Gifford
Hovertravel Logo

1967

Hovertravel Ltd Formed

By this time the technology in hovercraft had reached the stage where commercial use was possible. Hovertravel Ltd (Griffon Hoverwork's sister company) was founded and began operating passenger services between the South Coast of the UK and the Isle of Wight.

1968

Hoverwork Ltd Formed

Hoverwork Ltd was formed, bridging the gap between operator and manufacturer to offer chartered hovercraft services across the world 

Hoverwork Ltd Logo
Griffon Hovercraft Logo

1976

Griffon Hovercraft Ltd Formed

Griffon Hovercraft was formed, a manufacturer building ducted propeller hovercraft for commercial, military and rescue.

1982

Hovercraft Consultants Ltd Formed

Hovercraft Consultants Ltd was founded, specialising in hovercraft skirt design.

Hovercraft Consultants Logo
1000TD Hovercraft Over Mud

1983

The 1000TD

The 1000TD, Griffon's first diesel powered craft launched.

2000

RNLI Hovercraft

The first hovercraft is delivered to the RNLI for search and rescue along the coast of the United Kingdom.

RNLI 470TD Search And Rescue Hovercraft Over Mud
Royal Marines Military Hovercraft In Iraq

2003

Royal Marines in Iraq

The UK Royal Marines use their fleet of 2000TDs during the Iraq war. 

2009

Hovercraft United by Bland Group

Griffon Hovercraft and Hoverwork, acquired by the Bland Group in 2008, merges to form Griffon Hoverwork Ltd. Hovercraft Consultants also joins Griffon Hoverwork, uniting almost half a century of hovercraft design, manufacture and operational experience.

Griffon Hoverwork Ltd Logo
Pakistan Navy Hovercraft

2010

Pakistan Flood Relief

The Pakistan Navy use their 2000TD hovercraft fleet in severe flooding to help reach the millions of people effected and in need of medical aid and relief. The hovercraft were able to fly over the uncharted, debris strewn waters to reach isolated communities.

2012

Indian Coast Guard Fleet Development

The Indian Coast Guard receive 12 new 8000TDs for coastal patrol, rescue and security.

Indian Coast Guard 8000TD Hovercraft
Korea Coast Guard BHT Hovercraft

2014

Griffon's Largest Hovercraft

The Korean Coast Guard receive the BHT-150. The largest hovercraft ever built by Griffon Hoverwork at 31 metres in length and 20 tonnes of payload.

2014

Auckland Airport Rescue

Auckland Airport, New Zealand, receive a second 2000TD for quick direct response in air crash rescue over the mudflats surrounding the runway.

Auckland Airport Fire And Rescue Hovercraft
12000TD Passenger Hovercraft over shallow water and mud flats (1)

2016

Future of Passenger Travel

Hovertravel replace their existinghovercraft fleet with two 12000TDs. The most advanced large payload hovercraft developed by Griffon Hoverwork today.

2016

Electric Drive Hovercraft

The most advanced small craft offered by Griffon Hoverwork, the 995ED, is delivered to its first customer, the Malaysian Marine Department. An electric diesel craft with just under 1 tonne of payload powered by two engines.

995ED Electric Drive Hovercraft

Into the Future..

From its first beginnings to 2019 hovercraft technology continues to develop and evolve fulfilling roles from military to commercial. Today, planet has reached uncertain environmental times. As strong believers that this technology can help change the world, we continue to strive towards our mission of providing customers with the products and services that enable them to readily save lives and access the inaccessible across the globe.