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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9. Hovercraft from the past
SRN6 Hovercraft at Southsea in 1965. The hovercraft from Ryde arriving on the beach at Southsea. No protection for onlookers. Picture: The News Photo: The News archive


11. Hovercraft from the past
Sir Christopher Cockerell watches the 'Princess Margaret', the British Hovercraft Corporations latest craft, roar up the Thames. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) Photo: The News archive

12. Hovercraft from the past
Vosper Thornycroft's first Hovercraft, the VTI-001, heading out of Portsmouth Harbour in 1969. The News PP4825 Photo: The News archive