SRN4 Hoverspeed Hovercraft Princess Anne

General Product Description

Our MyMahoganyModel SRN4 Hoverspeed Hovercraft Princess Anne exhibits unique, unrivaled quality and detailed design to come as close as possible to the accuracy of the actual craft. It comes as standard with a robust, durable base or stand which is available in a variety of different finishes designed to match your own personal requirements including solid wood, wood with polished metal supports or adjustable wood wall mount and will be ready within about 9-10 weeks from placement of order.

The SRN4 Hoverspeed Hovercraft Princess Anne is made of the finest kiln dried renewable mahogany wood (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) which has undergone many stages of carving and meticulous and careful sanding giving the beautiful, finished museum quality masterpiece. Many collectors and model connoisseurs demonstrate their preference for genuine handmade and hand painted mahogany wood models rather than plastic or die cast (diecast) alternatives due to the overall look and totally different feel of the item - we trust you will find the same. We can however, if required produce the same model in Solid Cast Resin so just click and contact us for further information. Our craftsmen and gifted artisans ensure that our finely handcrafted model watercraft match the precise blueprint details of the original version. The paint scheme, markings and parts are closely matched, reflecting the original. This stylish top-quality desktop replica model will surely enthrall anyone who receives this as a gift and for sure one of the most appropriate and desirably collectable gifts for any boat, ship or similar enthusiast and avid collector whilst also displaying a perfect resemblance to the actual craft itself.

If you require, we can also make the All-round marine Boat Dinghy Model in any other private livery, markings or colour scheme you require and if necessary, in a different size or scale. Just click here to contact us with a description or photographs of what you require and we will let you have a quotation for the necessary customization by return email. We can also make bespoke scale replicas of any other private / civil commercial airliner or airliners, helicopter, glider, gliders with engines, military jet, warplane jets, propeller warplanes, biplane, triplane, tail fin, spacecraft, rocket or NASA model you require in any airline, military or civilian livery or colors. We also produce boat and ship collectibles. Wall plaque or seal for military, government or private customers. Again, by clicking here to contact us just let us know exactly what you need.

SR.N4 Princess Anne: The Iconic Hoverspeed Hovercraft

The SR.N4 “Princess Anne” was one of the most iconic hovercraft ever built, serving as a symbol of high-speed cross-Channel travel in the late 20th century. Operated by Hoverspeed, the Princess Anne was part of the Mountbatten class, the largest commercial hovercraft ever constructed. Designed to carry both passengers and vehicles across the English Channel at remarkable speeds, the Princess Anne became a technological marvel of her time.

Design and Development

The SR.N4 (Saunders-Roe Nautical 4) was originally developed by the British firm Saunders-Roe in the 1960s. The design was later expanded into the Mk.III version, which significantly increased size and capacity. Princess Anne, alongside her sister craft Princess Margaret, represented the final evolution of the class.

Completed in 1978 as a stretched Mk.III hovercraft, Princess Anne was 56.4 meters (185 feet) long and 23.8 meters (78 feet) wide, with a capacity to carry up to 418 passengers and 60 cars. Powered by four Rolls-Royce Proteus gas turbine engines, she could achieve speeds of over 70 knots (130 km/h / 80 mph), making her one of the fastest ferry services in the world at the time.

Hoverspeed and Cross-Channel Operations

The Princess Anne was operated by Hoverspeed, a company that ran high-speed hovercraft services between Dover (UK) and Calais (France). The journey across the Channel typically took only 35 to 40 minutes, a significant reduction in travel time compared to conventional ferries.

During her peak years in the 1980s and 1990s, the Princess Anne transported millions of tourists, day-trippers, and motorists between Britain and the continent. The combination of speed, convenience, and novelty made the service immensely popular, especially in the pre-Eurotunnel era.

Despite the unique appeal, hovercraft operations were expensive due to high fuel consumption and maintenance costs. Additionally, weather sensitivity and competition from other transport modes began to erode the hovercraft’s commercial edge.

Retirement and Preservation

In 2000, after nearly 30 years of service, Hoverspeed retired its SR.N4 fleet due to rising operational costs and the increasing dominance of the Channel Tunnel and high-speed catamaran ferries. The Princess Anne completed her final voyage in October 2000, marking the end of large-scale hovercraft services across the English Channel.

Unlike many retired vessels, Princess Anne was preserved. She now resides at The Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire, England, where she is on static display. The museum recognizes her historic significance as one of the largest hovercraft ever built and as a lasting testament to British innovation in marine transportation.

Technical Specifications (SR.N4 Mk.III Princess Anne)

• Beam: 23.8 meters (78 feet)

• Passenger Capacity: 418

• Vehicle Capacity: 60 cars

• Engines: 4 × Rolls-Royce Proteus gas turbines

• Maximum Speed: 70+ knots (130+ km/h)

• Service Route: Dover to Calais

• Years in Service: 1978–2000

Conclusion

The SR.N4 Princess Anne was a remarkable example of advanced hovercraft engineering and a bold experiment in high-speed marine transport. She embodied an era when technological optimism drove new modes of travel across traditional boundaries. Although the hovercraft era faded due to practical limitations, the legacy of Princess Anne endures as a celebrated part of British transport history. Her preservation ensures that future generations can appreciate the ambitious vision that once connected nations—literally skimming above the sea.