Ground effect vehicle

The wide bodied monocoque fuselage (2) has a low wing configuration (3) with end stabilisers (4) and ailerons (12). The high tail section (8) and rudder incorporate a turboprop engine nacelle and contra-rotating 4-blade propellors. A very wide wing mid-section (14) is bounded by two underslung stepped float hulls (5) and includes large front and rear flaps (15). With flaps (15) lowered, an air cushion enclosure is formed between the sides of the floats (5) and the flaps. The air cushion is pressurized by blowers (11) in the underside of the wing. The upper half of the fuselage is for crew and passengers, with side exits to the wings and access along the wing roots to the rear. The lower half takes vehicles and or container loads, accessed and exited via the rear door ramp to a pontoon or dock.