Inter-Play Hovercraft User manual

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INVENTOR CENTRE
POWERED
Other fantastic products in the
Flight Command range include:
Build & Fly!
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Made in China
Designed and distributed in the UK by
Interplay UK Limited,
Unit D, Meter House, Fieldhouse Lane,
Marlow, Bucks SL7 1LW
Customer Services tel. [phone]
Please retain our address for future reference.
Manual designs and written material
©Interplay UK Limited 2008
Technokits™ and Flight Command™
are trademarks of Interplay UK Ltd.
Original design by
Goldstein Hovercraft LLC
www.GoHover.com
TS304 v1.0 2008
Interplay on the web!
To get all the latest news,
information and teachers notes
about Interplay’s wide range of
products, visit:
www.interplayuk.com
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Build your own
working models
INSTRUCTIONS
+ +

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WARNING!
For children over 8 years
of age only.
This kit is not suitable for
children under 36 months
due to small parts that could
cause a choking hazard
and long cord which may
represent an entanglement
hazard. Adult supervision is
required at all times. Contains
functional sharp points that
could cause an injury.
Although the propeller on this
kit is protected by a series of
rings, care should be taken to
avoid fingers or loose objects
coming into contact with the
propeller. This hazard may
particularly affect younger
children whose fingers may
be small enough to pass
through this protection. This
product is not designed for
use on water.
Interplay on the web!
To get all the latest news and information
about Interplay’s wide range of products, visit:
www.interplayuk.com
Unit D, Meter House, Fieldhouse Lane,
Marlow, Buckinghamshire. SL7 1LW
United Kingdom
Important Safety
Information!
This kit is manufactured in China for
Interplay UK Ltd.
Technokits™ and Flight Command™ are
trademarks of Interplay UK Ltd.
Original design by Goldstein Hovercraft LLC
www.GoHover.com
This kit conforms to EN71, CE, and other
applicable European safety standards.
This project is safe to do,
but you must follow the
instructions as specified.
Because children’s abilities vary
so much, even within age groups,
supervising adults should exercise
discretion as to whether the project is
suitable for children within their care.
The supervising adult should discuss
the warnings and safety information
with children before commencing the
activities, and should observe the
activities at all times. The activity in this
kit should only be completed with the
materials supplied/specified, and should
be used as instructed. Read and follow
these instructions, the safety rules
and any first aid information supplied.
Please retain all packaging material and
instructional material for future reference.
Keep small children and animals away
from this kit at all times. Carefully put all
equipment away when not in use, and
store out of the reach of children and
babies.
Safety Advice for
Supervising Adults
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Batteries: Do not insert batteries
into the battery box until the model is
complete. Slide the switch to the ‘off’
position before inserting the batteries. 4 x
1.5V AAA batteries are required. Do not
use rechargeable batteries. Never try the
activity with different batteries to those
recommended. Never mix old and new
batteries. Do not attempt to recharge
non-rechargeable batteries. Remove and
carefully dispose of exhausted batteries
(recycle if possible). Batteries are to
be inserted with the correct polarity.
The spring in the battery compartment
corresponds to the negative (-) end of the
battery. Different types of battery must
not be mixed.
Mains Electricity: Never connect any
of the components in this kit to mains
electricity. Children should be instructed
about the dangers of mains electricity.
The Battery Box: Open and close the
battery box using a suitable screwdriver.
When connecting the battery box to
the motor, make certain that the plug
engages correctly with the socket. This
will ensure that the correct polarity is
maintained. Never cross or hold bare
wires when the batteries are connected
as this may cause injury, fire, or burning.
Never leave electrical circuits unattended,
even if they do not seem to be working.
Remove batteries from the battery box
when not in use. Do not short-circuit the
supply terminals.

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Hovercraft Parts List
A Hovercraft is neither a ship, nor
an aeroplane, nor a wheeled vehicle.
It is completely unique, but it does
combine many of the attributes of
all these three forms of transport:
It can carry heavy loads over land
or water, and is airborne whilst in
operation.
As the name suggests, Hovercraft ‘hover’
on a cushion of air, which is pumped into
the cavity under the hull by the powerful
fan. Because the Hovercraft has no physical
contact with the surface over which it is
travelling, it can not use conventional steering
systems, but needs to have aerodynamic
controls, rather like those of an aircraft.
Hovercraft are used where other vehicles
can not go. They can rescue people off
thin ice, they can explore rocky rivers that
other powered vehicles can’t visit, they can
act as ferries in places where the water is
too shallow for a normal boat, and they can
deliver troops and supplies right onto almost
any beach in the world. Hovercraft are also
used just to have fun. Your model hovercraft
is styled on a racing hovercraft. People all
over the world join “hoverclubs” and run
hovercraft races across land and water. You
can find information about a hovercraft club
near you on the internet.
Introduction
3 x Airbox walls 2 x Airbox floor
2 x Rudder assembly
2 x Battery box
2 x Fan assembly 8 pairs x Hook &
loop fastener
3 x Polystyrene tray
(single engine)
120 x Paper
fastener
Self-adhesive
Foam Strip
2 x short
2 x medium
1 x long
String 2 x Cabin
(single engine)
4 x Polythene tube
2 x Polystyrene tray
(flying saucer)
1 x Cabin
(twin engine)
2 x Polystyrene tray
(twin engine)
4 x Support
This kit allows you to build a wide
variety of different hovercraft
designs.
The same fan assemblies, battery boxes and
certain other components are transferred from
one design to another. You can build these in
any order that you wish, but we suggest that
you build them in the following sequence, as
you will learn the ‘tricks of the trade’ as you
gradually progress to the more complicated
designs of hovercraft:
First... Build the 2 ‘Flying Saucer’ hovercraft,
and watch them spin crazily round the house,
bouncing off each other!
Then... Build the 2 single-engine hovercraft
and race them one against the other. Try them
with and without the inflatable ‘skirts’ – they
speed across smooth surfaces without skirts,
but will get over obstacles better when fitted
with skirts.
Then... Build the mighty twin-engine
hovercraft, which will build up awesome speed
on smooth surfaces, and can also be fitted
with a skirt to give it the ability to go almost
anywhere!.
Then... You will be ready to experiment!
You can build your own designs of hovercraft,
making you own bodywork from thin
cardboard, and fitting it to the trays supplied,
or other polystyrene trays, such as those often
used to pack food in supermarkets (don’t forget
to wash the tray first, because clean hovercraft
don’t just look better, they fly better!). For
inspiration, you can see a great variety of
hovercraft designs at www.GoHover.com We
would love to see your designs: Email photos
of them to us at [email protected].

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Before starting to build any of the
hovercraft, prepare each of the blue
foam-board components as follows:
Lay the component on a flat table top
with the shiny side downwards. Using the
table to brace the component so that you
can fold with both hands, fold along each
crease. Turn the component over (so that
the shiny side is upwards) and fold along
each crease in the opposite direction. Folding
these creases in both directions will help to
prevent the fold lines from splitting when
you assemble the hovercraft, and will make
your hovercraft look better. If you do split
one of these fold lines, it can be repaired
using Sellotape.
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Building the ‘Flying Saucer’ Hovercraft
Building the
‘Flying Saucer’
Hovercraft
Peel the backing off a pair of the
self-adhesive hook & loop fasteners and
stick this to the centre of the support.
Place the second support at right angles
to the first, making sure that it is central,
before pressing it onto the adhesive and
inserting 2 more paper fasteners.
Stick a second pair of hook & loop
fasteners onto the centre of the second
support.
Insert 4 x AAA batteries into the battery
box (see page 3), making sure that the
switch is ‘off’, then stick the battery box
centrally onto the hook & loop fastener,
with the switch uppermost.
Plug the lead from the fan assembly into
socket on the battery box.
3
Switch on, and your flying saucer will float
and spin across the floor. If you build both
flying saucers, they will bounce crazily off
each other every time they come together!
5
Peel the backing paper from one of the short
self-adhesive foam strips, and stick this to the
upper part of the outer edge of the tray (see
illustration). Carefully trim off any excess foam
strip with scissors.
4
Bend the supports to
the shape shown.
1
To build each of the ‘Flying
Saucers’, you will need:
1 x Circular polystyrene tray
1 x Fan assembly
2 x Supports
2 x Pairs of hook & loop fasteners
1 x Battery box
4 x Paper fasteners
Carefully insert the fan assembly into the
hole in the polystyrene tray, making sure
that the 8 small holes align with those in
the tray.
Fit one of the supports over the top of
the fan assembly using 2 paper fasteners,
which should pass through the support,
the fan assembly and the tray, before
splaying the legs of the paper fasteners.
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Before starting to build any of the
hovercraft, prepare each of the blue
foam-board components as follows:
Lay the component on a flat table top
with the shiny side downwards. Using the
table to brace the component so that you
can fold with both hands, fold along each
crease. Turn the component over (so that
the shiny side is upwards) and fold along
each crease in the opposite direction. Folding
these creases in both directions will help to
prevent the fold lines from splitting when
you assemble the hovercraft, and will make
your hovercraft look better. If you do split
one of these fold lines, it can be repaired
using Sellotape.
www.interplayuk.com
Building the single engine hovercraft
With the yellow polystyrene tray lying
face down, push the 4 paper fasteners in
the airbox assembly through the dimpled
hole markings in the tray. Spread out the
legs of the paper fasteners until they lie
flat against the tray.
3
Fold in the two upper flaps on the airbox assembly,
and locate the rudder assembly, shiny side down,
with 2 further paper fasteners. Spread the legs on
the paper fasteners.
4
Lay the airbox walls and airbox floor on the
table as shown, with the walls shiny side
down, and the floor shiny side up.
1
Fit the airbox walls to the floor with 4
paper fasteners, folding the airbox walls
around the floor, making certain that the
centre flap of the walls tucks inwards,
not outwards. The shiny side of the
airbox walls should now face outwards.
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Fold up the flap in the airbox floor. When
fully open, the flap will touch the rudders.
You may need to adjust the position of the
legs on one or two paper fasteners in order
to get this flap to open properly and stay in
the correct position.
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5
Fold in each leg of the rudder assembly,
fastening each leg with a paper fastener at
the top and another at the bottom. Spread
the legs on the paper fasteners.
Fold the cabin back towards the airbox, and
fix in position using 3 paper fasteners on each
side. Spread the legs on the paper fasteners.
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7
Holding the cabin with the shiny side
downwards, fix the cabin to the tray through
the 3 dimpled hole markings in the front
of the tray. Spread the legs on the paper
fasteners.
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This screw should be at the
top of the fan assembly
Peel the backing paper off one of the self
adhesive ‘hook-and-loop’ fasteners and stick
to the tray as shown. Peel the backing paper
off the other half of the self adhesive ‘hook-
and-loop’ fastener and stick to the underside
of the battery compartment.
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9
Mount the fan assembly with a paper
fastener through each of the 2 lugs
on the airbox, and another through
the hole at the bottom of the airbox.
Spread the legs on the paper fasteners.
Install the 4 AAA batteries in the battery
compartment as explained at the beginning
of this manual, then insert the fan assembly
electrical connector into the socket on the
battery box.
11
Peel the backing tape from the self-adhesive
foam strip and, starting from the rear of your
hovercraft, carefully stick the tape to the
outer perimeter of the tray, so that it acts
as an impact-absorbing bumper. Take care
not to let the foam strip project below the
bottom edge of the tray, or it will drag on
the floor and prevent your hovercraft from
performing properly.
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30mm
Take the black polythene tube and turn back
the first 30mm of one end so that it looks
like a roll-neck jumper.
1
The polythene tube has a seam
down one side, and this must be re-
positioned in the centre. To achieve
this, inflate the tube by blowing into
one end whilst holding the other end
closed, then gently squeeze the tube
together so that the two creases align.
2
Just turn on the switch on the battery
box and place the hovercraft on a
smooth surface. Shiny floors are the
best surfaces, but the hovercraft should
work on short-pile carpets as well.
To control your hovercraft, you can attach
the string. Use a brass fastener to attach
the string just ahead of the battery box. Your
hovercraft should follow you like an obedient
dog! You can stow the string in the cabin if
you want the hovercraft to fly free, and you
can tape the string to the floor if you want
the hovercraft to travel in circles.
You will notice, however, that the hovercraft
is not very good at going over rough surfaces
or obstacles. This is why most hovercraft are
fitted with a ‘skirt’.
Fly your hovercraft
It is important that your hovercraft is
correctly balanced [known as the ‘trim’].
Switch on the fan and run your hovercraft on
a table at eye level. Prevent it from moving,
but do not hold it down. The gap between
the table and the craft should be the same
front-to-back and side-to-side. Adjust this
gap by moving the battery box slightly
towards the higher side.
Hovercraft ‘trim’
A hovercraft skirt provides a flexible
extension to the bottom of the craft so
that, when an obstacle is encountered, the
skirt will flex and pass over the obstacle,
allowing the hovercraft to go on it’s way.
The skirt is like a very low pressure balloon
which extends all around the bottom of the
hovercraft, preventing the escape of the air
which lifts the hovercraft, which is sealed
inside the walls created by this balloon. The
air pressure in the skirt has to be very low
– if the pressure were too high, the hovercraft
would just bounce off obstacles.
The skirt can be fitted either directly to the
hovercraft, or you can fit it to the spare
polystyrene tray, making it easier to remove
when you want to fly your hovercraft
without it.
Fitting a skirt to
your hovercraft
Turn the tray or hovercraft upside down,
position the end of polythene tube as
shown, and fix in position with a paper
fastener through the centre of the rear edge
of the tray. The paper fastener should just go
through the left edge of the tube.
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Working carefully to avoid kinks, folds
or twists in the tube, fix the edge of the
tube to the underside of the tray using
one paper fastener in each corner, and one
in the centre of each long side of the tray.
4
When you get all the way round the tray,
fix the right edge of the tube to the same
paper fastener that you used to start fixing
the tube. Carefully trim the free end of the
tube, and roll it back 30mm in the same
manner as the other end.
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The two ends of the tube should be fixed
with a paper fastener through the dimpled
hole in the centre of the flap in the airbox
floor. Make certain that both ends of the
tube are completely open, so that the air
from the fan can blow into them and inflate
the tube. (If you fitted your tube to the
spare tray, you will need to fix the 2 trays
together with a couple of paper fasteners
before you fit the tube to the airbox flap).
6
When you switch on your hovercraft, the
skirt should now inflate, and the hovercraft
should pass much more easily over
obstacles! The hovercraft will normally go
fastest without the skirt, on a very smooth,
flat surface, but the addition of the skirt lets
it pass over a far greater variety of surfaces!
7
Moving the battery box rearwards slightly
will improve the hovercraft’s obstacle
clearance even more, whereas moving the
battery box further forward will increase the
speed of the craft.
Hovercraft ‘trim’
If you should damage the tray on
your hovercraft, it can be easily
repaired using either PVA (wood)
glue, or a little adhesive tape.
Repairing damage
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Building the twin engine hovercraft
Fold the cabin back towards the
airbox, folding the rearmost part of the
cabin inwards (see the arrows on the
illustration). Insert and spread the 6 paper
fasteners along the edges of the cabin.
3
Holding the twin engine cabin with the
shiny side downwards, fix the cabin to
the tray through the 3 dimpled hole
markings in the tray. Spread the legs of
the paper fasteners.
2
Remove the complete airbox assembly
from your single engine hovercraft by
removing the 4 paper fasteners holding
it to the tray, and fit this to the smaller,
rear hole in one of the large, twin engine
hovercraft trays, using the 4 paper
fasteners. Close the flap in the airbox
floor (on the single engine hovercraft,
this flap is opened in step 6). All the
power of the rear engine will now drive
the hovercraft forward. This rear fan is
now called the “thrust” fan.
1
PFit the “lift” fan assembly carefully into the
hole in the cabin, using 8 paper fasteners. Fit
both battery boxes in place using the bottom
half of 2 self-adhesive hook & loop fasteners.
4

Connect the fan assemblies to the battery
boxes, and your hovercraft is now ready to
fly! As with the single engine hovercraft, it
is a good idea to adjust the “trim” of the
hovercraft by moving the batteries from
side to side, or to the front or rear in order
to make sure that the hovercraft floats an
equal distance above the ground on all
edges. This adjustment can be made with
just the lift motor running. (Note that
only a small adjustment in the battery
position is possible).
5
You will see now just how fast your
twin-engine hovercraft can fly,
when travelling over fairly smooth
surfaces.
Note: The long strip of self-adhesive foam
can be fitted to the upper edge of the tray
to provide additional crash protection, as
on the other hovercraft designs. If you
wish to fit the skirt to the spare tray, so
that it is easily removable, we suggest
that you leave the foam bumper strip off
the construction, as it will interfere with
stacking the trays.
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After inserting paper fastener number 12,
carefully trim the excess length of tube, leaving
sufficient to roll back the end of the tube. Roll
back the free end of the tube, remove paper
fastener number 1, and use this paper
fastener to secure both ends of the tube
4
If you should damage the tray on
your hovercraft, it can be easily
repaired using either PVA (wood)
glue, or a little adhesive tape.
Repairing damage
As on the single engine hovercraft, the
skirt can either be fitted directly to the
hovercraft, or to the spare tray (which can
then be ‘nested’ onto the main hovercraft
tray and held in position with 2 paper
fasteners).
To fit the skirt, turn over the tray and –
starting from position 1, start fixing the
tube to the tray with paper fasteners at
the locations shown.. The paper fasteners
should only go through the edge of the
tube, otherwise the tube will not be able
to inflate properly.
3
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Bend both ends of the tube in towards the
lift fan, so that the air from the fan inflates
the tube.
5
When you switch on the hovercraft,
gently adjust the tube so that it inflates
fully and evenly.
30mm
Fitting a skirt to the
twin-engine hovercraft
Take the black polythene tube and turn
back the first 30mm of one end so that it
looks like a roll-neck jumper.
1
The polythene tube has a crease down
one side, and this must be re-positioned
in the centre. To achieve this, inflate the
tube by blowing into one end whilst
holding the other end closed, then gently
squeeze the tube together so that the
two creases align.
2