This is a self-propelled hovercraft, designed to use only one motor which will both lift the vehicle and propel it forward. The hovercraft works by creating a high pressure zone inside the meat tray. The escaping air travels under the rim of the meat tray, causing the tray to lift off the ground slightly. The top part of the propeller provides thrust, causing the whole vehicle to move forward. Materials Needed: 2 Foam meat trays (small is better; 7 inches by 9 inches by ½ inch tall works great) 1 Small 1.5 volt DC motor 1 Propeller that can attach to the motor 1 Nine volt battery 1 Nine volt battery snap Scissors Glue gun Craft knife 200 Grit sand paper (optional) Tape Hovercraft Construction

Make the Intake – The intake should be as short as possible to allow very little air to escape. Cut out two intake sides from the first foam tray, using the shape and measurements to the right. You may lightly sand the edges to smooth them. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

1.Cut one intake top from the first foam tray, 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches. The bend at the 1 inch mark can be achieved by lightly scoring the foam and then bending it. If the foam breaks, it can be glued or taped together. You may sand the edges to make them smoother. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

1.Glue the two sides to the top, using liberal amounts of hot glue. Be sure and give the glue plenty of time to cool and set up before moving or touching. Your intake should look like the examples here. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

Take the second foam tray and trace the outline of your intake in the center of the meat tray, then cut it out with the craft knife. It is very important that the hole is exactly in the center left and right in order for your craft to move straight. The front opening may be slightly closer to the front so that the weight of the battery (when placed behind the intake) can balance the weight of the motor. Be careful not to dent the bottom edge of the tray, as this could cause your hovercraft to go off balance and touch the ground. You may sand the edges of the cut to make them smooth Hovercraft Construction Procedure

Hot glue the intake to the bottom of the foam tray. Seal any gaps between the intake and the tray with extra hot glue or duct tape. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

Attach the propeller to the motor. Make certain it is pushed on all the way. (Caution! If not attached properly, the propeller can fly off the motor and cause injury!) Use electrical tape to attach the motor to the top of the intake, making sure to leave enough room for the fan blade to move. It’s not recommended to hot glue the motor to the intake, as you will be unable to move it to adjust the direction of movement of the craft. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

Attach the battery snap to the battery, and use the electrical tape to attach the battery to the foam tray in the back just past the intake. Put one of the wires from the battery snap through one of the holes in one of the contacts on the back of the motor and bend it so it doesn’t come loose. Place the hovercraft on a hard, smooth surface. Place the other wire through the remaining hole so that it barely stays in place. This will make it easier to remove when you chase it down. If the propeller blows the air forward and away from the intake, reverse the wires. Don’t let the hovercraft run for long periods of time or the motor will burn out. Experiment with position and direction of the propeller and overall balance to tweak your vehicle so it moves in a straight line. Hovercraft Construction Procedure

History of Hovercrafts Websites