[MOC] RC Hovercraft

[JamesJT]

I've been planning this for a long time and now I've finally got it all working. Lift and props are powered by an XL motor and a RC train speed controller. Drive comes from one L motor. 4 wheel steering and rudders are by servo.

 

 

Edited May 18, 2017 by JamesJT
Better video

[Victor Imaginator]

Revolutionary, as almost all of your models) Sad, but it isn't blue...

[Jeroen Ottens]

Very interesting model. I'm curious what your lift generating mechanism is

[AFOLegofan66]

This looks great...fantastic job on this!!

[BrickbyBrickTechnic]

Why isn't it blue? Very nice, though!

[JamesJT]

32 minutes ago, Victor Imaginator said:

Revolutionary, as almost all of your models) Sad, but it isn't blue...

Thanks, I couldn't be revolutionary with the colour, hovercraft are almost always white.

24 minutes ago, Jeroen Ottens said:

Very interesting model. I'm curious what your lift generating mechanism is

Lift and props are connected by a differential, I just had to make it easier to lift the body than spin the props.

[TechnicRCRacer]

Very nice! I like the lifting mechanism and the steering vanes! A nice touch!

[z3_2drive]

Looks really natural in its movements, great work 

[1gor]

Wow, this is just amazing 

Wait to see it from below or some sketch of lifting mechanism.

[JamesJT]

I found that using a train speed controller for driving looks more realistic due to the slow response times. I also added a ratchet to the drive that allows it to free wheel and only go forward - please somebody tell me a hovercraft can go backward, I'm getting fed up of retrieving it from corners. 

IMG_2185 by James Tillson, on Flickr

[proran]

That is something completely out of the box! The subject is not something new, but you managed to implement it in such an innovative way, now I am asking myself how else you can built the hovercraft?  It is not a hovercraft if it doesn't lift. As @Victor Imaginator said it's a small revolution! I see such vehicles in real life a lot, and I should agree with @z3_2drive, the movements look very realistic.

[JamesJT]

All done. The new video in the OP shows how it works.

 

Edited May 18, 2017 by JamesJT
Updated Video

[aeh5040]

7 hours ago, JamesJT said:

All done. The video shows how it works.

Awwww. I thought it was real      

It's a very nice and neat mechanism, and a cool illusion!

[teflon]

I also thought it is real. Some years ago I have seen ZBLj's Proof-of-Design hovercraft with old fas spinning 9V motor and some hovercraft skirt in a form of plastic foil (purist could use Lego own wrapping plastic bags). Unfortunately the fan was not capable enough to lift the battery box but I am sure it could be done, perhaps with some buggy motors etc.

Nevertheless, I like your hovercraft, since it hits at the proper  way of operation. And it's nicely looking. Thanks.

[JamesJT]

8 hours ago, aeh5040 said:

...a cool illusion!

That's exactly reaction I wanted. Thank you

[JJ2]

When I first saw it I thought it was real, as @aeh5040 said cool illusion of the skirt inflating, too bad Lego motors are not powerful to actually power a fan to inflate a bag.

[agrof]

Joint to the chor, really nice sculpting, and live alike illusion. Great MOC! 

[kbalage]

Really cool moc, love the whole hovering effect! And yes, a hovercraft can go backwards, see this video as an example