British Hovercraft Corporation BH.7
For the Czechoslovakian fighter aircraft, see Avia BH-7.
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | BH.7 Wellington class |
| Builders: | British Hovercraft Corporation |
| Preceded by: | SR.N6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | hovercraft |
| Tonnage: | 18.3 tonnes |
| Displacement: | 56 tonnes |
| Length: | 23.9 m (78 ft) |
| Beam: | 13.8 m (45 ft) |
| Height: | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) (on landing pads) |
| Installed power: | 4,250 shp (3,170 kW) |
| Propulsion: | (Mk.2/4) 1 Rolls-Royce Marine Proteus 15M/541 gas turbine for lift and propulsion driving one four-bladed variable-pitch propeller |
| Speed: | 58 knots (107 km/h) |
| Troops: | 60 |
| Crew: | 3 |
The British Hovercraft Corporation BH.7 (also known as the Wellington class) was a medium size hovercraft intended for military roles.
The prototype BH.7 Mk.2 first flew in November 1969 and was evaluated by the Royal Navy, being allocated the pennant number P235 and aircraft serial number XW255. It was trialled in a number of different roles from 1970 until 1983, including mine countermeasures, fisheries protection, and anti-submarine warfare, operating from RNAS Portland, It was later acquired by the Hovercraft Museum at Lee-on-Solent.
A further two BH.7 Mk.4s and four BH.7 Mk.5As were delivered to the Imperial Iranian Navy in the early 1970s, although they are now thought to be in storage due to trade embargoes.