ekranoplan

[valbowski1980]

I was watching the first episode of James May's Big Ideas and it really caught my imagination. Very interesting vehicle and I am wondering if anybody has actually seen one?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7638659.stm

http://www.globalaircraft.org/planes/lun_ekranoplan.pl

This is the first that I have ever heard of any such machine.

[Spidey]

Cuba had one fly by his place awhile back...interesting beasts.

[macustoms]

That thing is crazy, its like out of a bond movie or somethig just not as sleak and sexy. Bet its a blast to drive, or fly, or whatever you do in it.

[valbowski1980]

Originally Posted by macustoms

That thing is crazy, its like out of a bond movie or somethig just not as sleak and sexy. Bet its a blast to drive, or fly, or whatever you do in it.

Probably doesn't stop very well.... Which I find frightning if you are moving over a hard surface with obstacles this close to earth.

[Mattlach]

Neat little article on Wikipedia.

Hovercraft and hydrofoils probably fit in this category.

[SaabKen]

I like Bond's Lotus Esprit

[Spidey]

Is that the movie where he is underwater and turns left and he uses the left turn signal?

[SaabKen]

Originally Posted by Spidey

Is that the movie where he is underwater and turns left and he uses the left turn signal?

Yeah ! That was hilarious. All the schools of fish were thinking: "Whoa, slow down guys, that white thingey driven by a Brit up ahead is making a left turn !!"