The Lake-X "Ekranoplan" Ground-Effect Craft

[Scream And Fly]

I was wondering if anybody here has more information on this remarkable craft. It immediately reminds me of the Soviet 1960s-era ekranoplan gound-effect vehicles and this one was evidently designed by Alexander Lippisch, who designed the WW2 German Me-163 "Komet" rocket fighter. It appears to have been tested with both four and six-cylinder engines and Elmer Nord piloted it. From what I read, on at least one occasion the boat/craft literally took off and crashed, injuring the pilot. I don't have any other details, however. I did contact Mr. Nord and hope he can give more details.

I'd love to know its fate and results of testing. I bet it was a blast to fly!

Soviet "Ekranoplan", A.K.A. the "Caspian Sea Monster"

[Chaz]

The Soviet's wanted to be like us .. I think Mr. Hugh's must have hit a bigger wave and got a lil more air time …

[FUJIMO]

...greg, the push was over after it left the water...

[FUJIMO]

[FUJIMO]

[FMP]

Very interesting. Those old pics draw you right in.

Fender badge El Camino, BB?

[LakeFever]

Wow that is cool! I had no idea the Rooskies built such machines, pretty crazy. Thanks for posting this

[Turtleherder]

Over here on the Mississippi River we have had something like that flying around for years. Universal Hovercraft out of Cordova IL has been flying something like that for years. I have seen it numerous times and I can tell you it works. Look them up on YouTube I can’t seem to get the link to work.

[FUJIMO]

[Bodhi]

Hopefully memory is serving me correctly, didn't someone post something like this in buy and sell on here a year or two ago?. It was silver and taken apart in a garage. Also was listed with the mercs that mercury provided for the test

[Lake X Kid]

Here is water taxi competition, for a small ground-effects boat powered by an outboard.

SeaBubbles electric powered hydrofoil boat.

[Lake X Kid]

Airfish 8, or similar ground-effect crafts, might be commercially successful in certain locations.