I found that Volga Shipyard is still producing this huge ground-effect vehicles, with new vigor after the end of the Cold War. I found that few of them could be seen even from Google Earth.
Here's a link of the shipyard: http://www.volga-shipyard.com
For people who are not familiar with, the story begun when Americans saw Ekranoplan in Caspian Sea from the satellites. Since they didn't have a clue what this 100m long extra-fast steel thing was, they called it Caspian Sea Monster.

Flying on an air-cushion over the water this naval "plane" achieves great speed, but can also carry 1000t of "luggage". I put some more pics, videos and info I found on my site (this isn't spam, right?):
http://www.gamellama.net/index.php?o...ines&Itemid=54
I couldn't find any info on how this vesssel behaves in the situation with extra large waves? Is it stable? And what speed can it achieve then?
How useful would it be today and does something similar and more sophisticated exists today?
Russian Volga shipyard is offering now smaller models for private use.

I think the idea has merit for areas that has large areas of flat water (lots of lakes and small in land seas) it would make a great replacement for the slower car ferries etc.

There is no way in hell you could cross the Pacific or Atlantic with something like that but for shorter runs I think they would be viable.

Originally Posted by DiligentBhikkhu

I found that Volga Shipyard is still producing this huge ground-effect vehicles, with new vigor after the end of the Cold War. I found that few of them could be seen even from Google Earth.
Here's a link of the shipyard: http://www.volga-shipyard.com
For people who are not familiar with, the story begun when Americans saw Ekranoplan in Caspian Sea from the satellites. Since they didn't have a clue what this 100m long extra-fast steel thing was, they called it Caspian Sea Monster.

Flying on an air-cushion over the water this naval "plane" achieves great speed, but can also carry 1000t of "luggage". I put some more pics, videos and info I found on my site (this isn't spam, right?):
http://www.gamellama.net/index.php?o...ines&Itemid=54
I couldn't find any info on how this vesssel behaves in the situation with extra large waves? Is it stable? And what speed can it achieve then?
How useful would it be today and does something similar and more sophisticated exists today?
Russian Volga shipyard is offering now smaller models for private use.

Gde si brate Srbine?

Ive heard rumours about this plane, but I dont know anything I can be sure is fact.

Pozdrav, brate JSO!
I would really use one of those smaller models to try it on Danube river, all the way to the Black Sea, hoping for good weather

You'll probably just run into traffic.

Yes, but since it's flying 14m above surface, only one who would have a problem are them
But I would have to find the way to streighten the river
Who knows, maybe new ekranoplans have an ability to jump!

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

Gde si brate Srbine?

Even if several of us in here knows what that means, English is the only allowed language in here so please respect that. Thanks (Српска)

Originally Posted by Redleg

Even if several of us in here knows what that means, English is the only allowed language in here so please respect that. Thanks (Српска)

I know, I just wanted to say hello to my rodjak

Thats why I said the rest in English

Originally Posted by Redleg

Even if several of us in here knows what that means, English is the only allowed language in here so please respect that. Thanks (Српска)

Understood, and will carry out with a smile!

To get back on theme, I just found that one ekranoplan can be seen on Google Map here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=42.88...1667,47.656667
Incredible!

Originally Posted by Zastava-Arms

I know, I just wanted to say hello to my rodjak

Once you get into family, there's no way out!