UH-12T4 Plan Set
The UH-12T4 Explorer is a classic wood design featuring wood ribs and stringers with plywood skin. It's a good trainer for the beginner who likes to work with wood. Power is provided by a direct drive lift engine and a direct drive thrust engine.
This is the simplest to build wood hovercraft offered. All of the interior ribs from the stern of the craft to the bow are the same. This makes construction quick and simple as you will be building the same rib multiple times.
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Direct drive engines eliminate the need for a belt drive system. This helps keep the cost and build time low while maintaining performance and simplicity. The best performing and most cost effective approach is to use a 5 horsepower lift engine and 10 horsepower thrust engine. This engine configuration is light weight, compact and inexpensive. Because of the compact size of the engines, this configuration will outperform any other engine configuration unless you decide to modify the drive system and use a belt drive system.
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No welding is required to build this craft. Engine mounts integrated into the structure and the control system is assembled using bolts.
Some of our builders have chosen to upgrade the thrust system by increasing engine horsepower and adding a belt drive thrust system. This option can increase performance but also adds some complexity. Plans do not offer instruction on making this modification so if you are interested in larger engines you will have to use another plan set (12R or 15P) combined with the 12T4 for belt drive information.
Engines: Recommended: 5 to 10 hp lift (under 55 Lbs), 8 to 15 hp thrust (under 75 Lbs)
Optional: 8 to 10 hp lift (under 55 Lbs), 10 to 25 hp thrust (under 95 Lbs)
Specifications:
Capacity: 2 Passengers
Payload: 300 Lbs
Speed: 30 to 40 mph
Hover Height: 7 inches
Length: 12 ft 1 in
Width: 6 ft 1 in
Empty Weight: 450-550 Lbs
Flotation: 1,300 Lbs
Climb Gradient: 15 to 25%
Lift Engine: 7 hp - 10 hp vertical shaft (under 55 Lbs)
Thrust Engine: 10hp - 17 hp horizontal shaft (under 75 Lbs)
Construction Method: Wood rib & stringer
Construction Time: 150-200 hours
How it works:
A single 7-10 hp+ vertical shaft lawnmower engine turns a four blade 24-inch ducted fan that provides lift . The 10-17 hp horizontal shaft thrust engine turns a 42 inch two blade propeller for thrust.
How it’s made:
It's built from a wood ribs connected by stringers and covered in 1/8 inch plywood. Seams ae fiberglassed together for strength. Positive floatation is from foam blocks or water tight containers such as 1 gallon jugs.
Joystick Steering:
The 12T4 teaches the principles of hovering; riding on a cushion of air, thrust and lift, and how to operate a craft not in contact with the ground or water. Joystick steering controls two vertical rudders for precise control. Thrust throttle is on the joystick and lift throttle is typically on the dashboard.
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Flying a hovercraft:
Driving the craft is easy as it has only three controls; steering, lift throttle and thrust throttle. Slowly advancing the lift throttle will bring the craft up on cushion. Adding thrust power accelerates the craft. Speed is easily controlled by increasing or decreasing thrust engine rpm.
Where to fly:
The 12T4 will operate on land, water, snow, ice, mud, parking lots, football fields, ponds and rivers. Speed varies over each terrain. Basically, it will run on any relatively smooth surface. Smoother terrain will allow the craft to achieve higher speeds while rough terrain will slow the craft.
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Plan Set:
Plan set includes 2 “B” size sheets of detailed technical drawings, 1 "full size rib outline" and our Hovercraft Construction and Operation manual. All of the components are detailed in the plan. Technical support is provided to all customers.
Builders Support:
We offer support by email, phone or WhatsApp both domestically and internationally. Email technical support is offered at no cost. Phone and WhatsApp support are available at no cost for your first call. A support plan is required for additional direct support. Builder support is also available through the Hoverclub of America and many hovercraft related Facebook groups.
UH-12T4 Plan Set $ 59.00
Technical Support $19.00
*Prepaid Save 20%
