B-N Cushioncraft CC5-001

Cushioncraft Ltd was formed in 1960 as a division of Britten-Norman Ltd to develop and build hovercraft. Originally based at Bembridge Airport on the Isle of Wight, Cushioncraft later moved to the Duver Works at St. Helens. These works enabled a ready access to the sheltered water of Bembridge Harbour, an ideal environment for carrying out trials. Between 1960 and 1972 Cushioncraft designed 6 models of which 5 were produced. The images on this page show the construction and trials of the prototype CC5. The CC5 was a light utility craft that used centrifugal fan system and proved to be significantly quieter in operation in comparison with earlier designs. The first hover of CC5 occurred on the 22nd February 1966 with the first flight taking place in the March. Sadly the craft was capsized during tests off Priory Bay and was written off in October 1966. Cushioncraft was reconstituted as a separate company in 1967 to permit British Hovercraft Corporation (BHC) to take a minority share holding. In 1971, Britten-Norman encountered financial problems, and one result was that the Cushioncraft company was sold in 1972 to the British Hovercraft Corporation.