Do you recognise any of these great machines? The life of the hovercraft began in 1955 when inventor Sir Christopher Cockerell tested his idea for a floating craft by putting a cat food tin inside a coffee tin.
The plan was to run a summer hover service for tourists for the Isle of Wight and the south of England, but it became a year-round service as it was so popular.
Here are a few of our favourite photos from hovercraft from the past.
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1. Hovercraft from the past
The Saunders Roe SRN1 (Saunders Roe Nautical 1) experimental hovercraft. The craft was designed by Sir Christopher Cockerell, inventor of the hovercraft. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive
2. Hovercraft from the past
Men of Fleetlands in Gosport with hovercraft SRN5 in the 1950's. Photo: The News archive
3. Hovercraft from the past
SRN1 hovercraft, the one used by James Bond in the film 'Die Another Day'. Photo: The News archive
4. Hovercraft from the past
An SRN5 on excercise at Browndown with 200 Hovercraft Squadron RCT. Photo: The News archive