Blackpool’s hovercraft – a 38 seater SRN 6 – made its first test run on October 31 1972 before the passenger service was officially launched in May 1973 for the summer season.
It ran between Squires gate and Southport, powering people across the Ribble in a speedy 16 minutes flat.
Talk had been going on since the 60s of the idea of a hovercraft, linking the Fylde coast with other areas of the North West, including Southport, Liverpool, Fleetwood and Barrow.
As well as the scheduled flights between Starr gate and Southport, there were pleasure flights up the coast to near the Blackpool Piers and was seen as a big attraction to see the sights of Blackpool from a different angle. Sadly though, it only lasted a season before the plug was pulled.
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1. Blackpool's Hovercraft
An aerial shot of the Hovercraft - the first to cross the Ribble from Blackpool to Southport in 1973 Photo: Submit
2. Blackpool's Hovercraft
This advertised the Hovercraft service - it took just 20 minutes to Southport. Quite impressive. Photo: Submit
4. Blackpool's Hovercraft
The Hoverwork Hovercraft was bound to attract visitors. People swarmed round it to have a closer look in this picture Photo: library
5. Blackpool's Hovercraft
The first Blackpool to Southport Hovercraft in 1973. Mayor of Lytham John Gouldborn and Deputy Mayor Harry Cartmell meet the captain of the hovercraft on a stop-off in St Annes Photo: Submit
6. Blackpool's Hovercraft
A windscreen view from the SRN6 on a demonstartion run at Blackpoolon October 31 1972 Photo: National World