Taking the BatBoat theory to it's ultimate conclusion...
 

...why bother touching the water at all? This Russian-built beast was called the "Caspian Monster", and was intended as a troop/cargo transport using surface-effect technology.

I GOTTA get me one of these for the next Poker Run!

WOW.....WOW!!!! More info and pics HERE

They have been known for years... there is someone building new ones.. do a search of ekronoplan

that thing is nuts. hey Nort i cant get the avi files on that link you put up to play in my windows midea player. i have avi enabled but i just get a "class not registered" pop up when i try and start it. any ideas? i would like to see the vids of that thing in action. :cool: :cool:

I can't get the videos working either......

Real Player
QuickTime
WindowsMedia


None of them seem to like those two files. I want to see them too!!!

der kranoplan!

Bingo......added this and they worked for me. That thing is HUGE!!!

http://www.3ivx.com/download/index.html

The second movie shows that thing actually flying.....

Here is the original prototype..........:p

thanks Nort



and . . .:eek: :eek: :eek: HOLLY CRAP THAT THING IS INSANELY FRIKN HUGE!!!

Yeah... the wacky soviets went nuts on them back in the early sixties... able to fly at height of 60 feet... engines in the front so they don't get the splash. Weird looking .... I saw a few months ago that someone is trying to market a small one... about the size of a corporate jet.

Here's another big boy.....

HERE 1

HERE 2

And a selector........



LIST

how'd ya like to see this thing bearing down on ya :eek:

Yipes! Look up the word "scary" in the dictionary, and there it is.....:crazy:

While design is cool, maintenance would be a pain, if used in a salt water. Corrosion would be out of control.

Sweeeeet!

Ahhhh but the "development" continued.......

and continued...........

got a little side tracked.......

refocused..........

old wine....old bottles.

T2x

Wow T2x back then you must of shook the establishment with those designs.

The established boating gurus must of thought that was a sad example of how far we, as a nation, have sunk..... and not only morally, that's only a symptom...but, rather intellectually. Designs that appeal to a mostly young, party happy, mindless crowd who, while swaying to tribal rhythms, pass each other a "hit"....... or some extasy..or a Jack Daniels.... and design along to concepts that are demean ing to designers that should be respected in general. Said designs are delivered in broken fluidity, laced with profanities to accepted boat design, full of threats, and nonsense. What passes as inovation frequently uses the same lines or a nonsensical non conventional line to create the rhyme.

The point...blame your educational system, which has consistently lowered standards, rewarded malcontents, separated "afaleets" from any learning whatsoever..... and, in the ultimate, has now found itself with the products of its own efforts...as todays new "designeechiz".

Finally, blame ourselves, for going along with the transformation of a friggin' boat into a boat that eclipses good old paddle wheels.



G.L.
ps: -Thanks for the inspiration!!! :D:D http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...008#post847008

-Hope to see you up here this summer. :D

Nice:cool:

Make it faster, lighter, and more economical :crazy:

I saw a TV show last year about a bunch of Russians who were trying to market some 2 or 4 seaters from down Florida way somewhere - wonder what happened to them?

I'll await your arrival at each stop patiently..........

T2x:p

Let me know if you need me to carry your toothbrush or some other big item that won't fit in your rig. ;)

Shot of our newest batboat at the Cleveland Show...

:eek:
:D :D :D

Very nice Chris.