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Wildfire full info specification

General Description

The Wildfire series represent the latest advances in small amphibious hovercraft. The design is leading edge new technology and incorporates the latest commercially available and appropriate high technology materials and manufacturing techniques for advanced performance. It is easily operated and maintained by its owners. The Wildfire is adaptive to many different tasks. The large doors provide full access for large and difficult loads and full protection and comfort for passengers when closed. For extreme loads or open top duties the doors may be completely removed. The Wildfire is designed to operate and provide full comfort for it’s passengers in a wide variety of climatic conditions ranging from the hottest tropics to the extreme cold of the polar artic regions.

The Wildfire has an exceptionally good payload to size ratio allowing good load capability and remaining easily transportable. It can fit within a shipping container and is easily transported on a special quick launch trailer. The Wildfire is built to a very high standard and is capable of gaining classification with most survey societies.

There is nothing else like the Wildfire Hovercraft.

Technical Details Table

Technical Details, Descriptions

Classification

Construction may be carried out according to:

1. Australian Uniform Shipping Laws, “Class 1E”
2. New Zealand Maritime Rules Part 40F, “Class 2 light hovercraft”
3. Canadian ACV Safety Certification Standard TP5579

Hull and Superstructure

The hull is resin infusion moulded with reinforcement from non-woven E-glass fibreglass reinforcements and Divinycell® cores for increased panel stiffness. This method of construction is lightweight while retaining excellent strength and stiffness. Thermal and sound isolation properties are excellent for this construction system. All laminating is conducted with active quality control procedures to ensure the highest quality. The hull construction complies with or exceeds the Australian U.S.L. and other international survey society requirements. The hull is built in two parts and bonded together with separate sealed buoyancy compartments for maximum safety. Under-hull moulded Urethane landing pads are fitted for hull protection.

Four lifting ‘U-bolts’ are mounted through the deck and internally strengthened. A towing eye is fitted to the bow and to the stern. There are four cleats mounted to the deck.

Accommodation

Cockpit

The cockpit sides are smooth finish fibreglass gel-coat and the floor is painted with a non-skid finish. There is a transverse beam across under the front seats to provide hull structure and a mounting for the front side-by-side seats. This cross beam incorporates three dry storage lockers. Lockers are located in each side and to the rear of the cockpit for dry storage (4 in total). The engine is accessed through a hatch at the rear of the cockpit. An external locker is fitted for storage of the anchor and dirty ropes.

Cabin

The cabin is constructed of a front fixed part, a reinforced transverse frame (to provide rollover protection) and a longitudinal roof beam for further occupant protections and support for the large doors. The two large doors are top hinged and open ‘gull-wing’ style. They normally remain fixed but may be easily detached withdrawing the spring-loaded hinge pins. The longitudinal roof beam is normally left fixed but it may be unbolted to accommodate unusually large or awkward loads.

The standard interior trim is a good balance between comfort and practical marine type. Luxury or utility trims may be specified by the customer.

Glazing

The front windscreen is custom laminated from chemically toughened glass and PVB laminate Special attention has been paid to conform to the Lloyds class pressure loadings. The front screen has wipers and washers fitted. The side windows are also made from laminated safetyglass and have windscreen wipers and washers fitted. Glazing to the doors is acrylic for light weight and toughness. All glazing is bonded with polyurethane adhesive sealant.

Seating

Seating arrangements may optionally be varied but are normally;

1. Front row seating for the driver’s and front passenger.
2. The second row of seats accommodates two passengers and is removable.
3. The third row of seats accommodates two passengers and is removable.
4. The fourth row (rear) of seats accommodates three passengers and is removable.

Total seating capacity is variable, 1-crew plus 8-passengers. With seats removed the floor provides a flat work space.
A bilge pump is fitted into a recess at the rear of the cockpit for water removal. A large diameter (38mm) ‘drain-bung’ is also fitted which can be removed for quick water drainage while washing out when the hovercraft is on hard standing.

Engine

The thrust engine is a Subaru model EJ25 liquid cooled horizontally opposed four cylinder petrol engine of 2500cc with overhead camshafts, fuel injection, electric starting; stainless steel exhaust system; remote air and oil filter assemblies. This engine is normally rated at 135kW (180hp) at 6000 rpm but the rating is reduced to 112kW (150hp) at a maximum of 5100 rpm for longer engine life. The performance is very spirited at this rating. Cruising engine speed is between 3400 to 4400 rpm (30% to 65% of maximum power).

A coolant radiator and a lubricating-oil cooler keep the engine cool. The engine coolant circulates through a radiator mounted to the starboard side of the thrust ducting. The engine oil-cooler is incorporated in the radiator assembly. Cold air is drawn in from the outer side of the thrust ducting, passes through the radiator and cooler and is discharged into the negative pressure area near the propeller. When the engine is idling and the propeller is not turning the air is assisted to move by a thermostatically controlled electric fan. The oil cooler reduces the oil temperature, which greatly helps with increasing the engine life and extends time between oil changes.

The Subaru EJ25 engines are imported from Japan and are re-built to exacting specifications for use in the Wildfire hovercraft.

Exhaust Systems

The engine exhaust system is manufactured entirely from stainless steel. An exhaust-air ejector system is incorporated to remove excess heat from the exhaust ducting and to lower the exhaust gas temperature for safety of personnel.

Variable Pitch Propeller

The ‘In-Flight-Adjustable’ (IFA) propeller is custom made for the Wildfire and is fully (in-flight) pitch adjustable to provide optimal pitch setting for all operating conditions and additionally reverse thrust capability. There are 5 blades, precision moulded from Carbon-Fibre and Epoxy resin and post-cured at high temperature to obtain consistent high tensile strength. The abrading surfaces of the blades are protected with moulded on polyurethane for maximum service life. The hub is high tensile marine grade aluminium and the blade sockets are stainless steel. Dissimilar metals are electrically isolated to minimise corrosion. The pitch control actuator is operated from the driving position where there is a position feed back indicator. The propeller system is designed to provide a long life in a salt-water environment.

A stainless steel wire guard protects the propeller. The propeller guard is mounted to the ducting.

Propulsion Transmission System

An automatic clutch is fitted directly to the rear of the engine. The clutch automatically disengages the engine at idle speed to stop the propeller. This provides added safety for bystanders and also reduces shock loading on the transmission during engine starting and stopping. A toothed belt provides positive power transmission from the engine shaft to the propeller shaft. The propeller shaft is firmly supported on two self-aligning and sealed ball bearing units within the transmission housing. The engine and transmission assemblies are isolated for smooth and quiet operation.

Lift Fan

The lift fan is a mixed-flow type for maximum efficiency and minimum noise. Air is drawn in through the vents in the bonnet, passes through the fan and is expelled directly into the skirt bag. The fan is manufactured from carbon fibre and epoxy resin. A moulded bonnet provides protection, sound absorption and an attractive appearance.

Lift Transmission

The lift fan is directly mounted to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is provided by oil from a pump mounted to the engine. The pump is of the variable displacement type and is controlled automatically to keep the lift fan running at a constant speed largely independent of the engine speed. The fan speed may be easily changed at any time by the pilot to meet different lift air requirements during different operating modes. This is a unique system which is easily controlled and allows efficient use of available power by applying only what is necessary to meet lifting requirements and leaving all other available power for thrust. All filtration and cooling is suitable for tropical (+40oC) to arctic (-35oC) operation in salt water and dusty conditions.

Skirt

The skirt is a fully pressurised tapered bag and finger system. The bag pressure is higher than the cushion pressure and is regulated by control orifices in the bag inner membrane. This system has been used on the largest and fastest commercial and military hovercraft for many years and is well proven to be the most stable and dynamically efficient skirt system available for amphibious hovercraft today. The skirt is computer cut for consistent and exact fitting to the hull.

The skirt is manufactured from Urethane coated Nylon fabric. Urethane is extremely tough and provides considerably greater resistance to abrasion and tearing compared with other fabric types commonly used on other hovercraft. All joints are R.F. welded for exceptional strength.

Urethanes have good low temperature flexibility (down to -35 °C) and are suitable for use in very cold areas. Normal colour is black with other colours available to special order.

Controls

The controls are simple and easily managed. A ‘control mixed’ is hand controlled in similar fashion to steering a car but with added movements for pitch and roll control. This is connected to the rudder and the elevators via control cables and hydraulic power assisted servos. A foot pedal and a dash mounted vernier control the thrust engine throttle according to the choice of the operator. The lift fan is controlled by a rotary knob mounted on the dash board.

Instrumentation

Hydraulic System

Thrust Engine

Other Instrumentation

Electrical System

System voltage is nominally 12 volts DC. The normal voltage range is 10.5 volts to 14.6 volts. The engine normally has an 85-amp alternator but higher outputs are available.

Batteries

There is normally one battery of 65 Ah capacity fitted with a single pole isolator switch. It is optionally possible to have two batteries configured as a separate starting battery and a separate ‘house’ battery for operating electronics. The batteries are charged through a voltage sensitive relay thus ensuring full charge to both batteries and no accidental discharge of one battery from the other battery. In emergencies the batteries may be paralleled. Other configurations are possible with automatic charging protection.

Protection

The electrical system is based upon the ‘EmpirBus’ electrical control and protection system. Most switchable services (lights, pumps, fans, wiper synchronisation etc) are operated from programmable controllers which provide a multitude of functions and fault warnings. The system can be custom programmed to meet with special operator needs if required.

All electrical cable is marine type tinned copper multi-strand cable with V95°C (or better) PVC insulation. All terminations in exposed areas are crimped and covered with heat shrinking and hot-melt insulation for corrosion protection. Exposed cable runs are protected in conduits. All circuits are clearly marked with a matching circuit diagram in the operating manual.

The instruments are marine type and rated splash proof from the viewing side. Wherever possible all fittings are salt waterproof.

Lighting

All navigation lights are of ‘Aquasignal’ series 20 type and comply with IMO recommendations. In addition a flashing orange beacon is mounted atop the thrust duct according to the CAA requirements for hovercraft.

In addition to the navigation lights, there are optionally two 55-watt spot lights available. Inside the cabin are 4-LED work lights with dimmable white or red light output. Beside the cabin door is a 15 Amp power outlet suitable for connecting a high-powered spotlight or other auxiliary device.

Fuel System

There are two fuel tanks, each of approximately 50 litres and mounted to each side of the cockpit. The fuel tanks are constructed of welded aluminium and pressure tested according to class rules. All fuel piping (apart from short flexible elements near the engine) is of copper pipe.

A safety shut off valve is mounted to each tank. An in-tank mounted electric fuel pump and filter assembly supplies fuel to the engine from each tank. The fuel gauge sender is incorporated into the in-tank pump/filter assembly. Preferred fuel type is standard unleaded automotive petrol.

Fire Safety

The thrust engine room ‘hot zone’ is fitted with a fixed dry powder type smothering system that
can be activated from outside the engine room. An additional portable dry powder extinguisher
is recessed into the cockpit side. The engine room is protected in hot areas by stainless steel
heat shields. The stainless steel exhaust system is ceramic coated and fitted with heat shields
to reduce heat radiation and increase safety. The engine air intake is flash-back protected.

Storage

A vinyl cover is optionally available to protect the hovercraft topsides.

Transport

The Wildfire is road transportable on a suitable trailer within a total width of 2.5 metres. A custom built trailer is optionally available. The custom built trailer has a tilting deck, winch system and folding side barriers to facilitate loading and un-loading of the hovercraft without assistance from a second party. For additional information please request the separate trailer specification sheet.

For international shipping the Wildfire may be loaded into a standard 40ft shipping container or onto a 40ft flat rack with the trailer.

Wildfire specification

Bringing together the latest advances in small amphibious hovercraft technology, the Wildfire series is pure cutting edge brilliance. This hovercraft is a culmination of sophisticated design, the latest high technology materials and advanced performance manufacturing techniques. It is practical, flexible and powerful, to suit the needs of the most demanding commercial projects.

Built to withstand and perform a range of different tasks, the Wildfire most notably boasts a fully covered cabin with large doors providing full access for oversized and difficult loads, as well as the flexibility to remove the cover completely if need be. Of course passenger comfort and safety has been totally catered for, particularly when positioned in extreme conditions, whether that’s searing tropical heat or in polar artic regions.

The Wildfire has an exceptional payload to size ratio, allowing excellent load capability and remaining easily transportable. It can fit within a shipping container and is effortlessly transported on a special quick-launch trailer.

The Wildfire has been developed to extremely high standards and is capable of gaining classification with most survey societies.

Technical specifications