Scott Nacey

The start - I wanted an air cushion vehicle that could replace the W.H.A.L.E. from 1984. I wanted to improve on the original design by making it possible to ferry a vehicle, too.

early process - I was feeling out what features I liked the most, like command cabin, turrets, etc. Also, I always liked the "flying turret" of the Shark 9000 and the Moray Hydrofoil

I thought about what real-life L.C.A.C.s looked like, as well as how big of a vehicle this thing could actually haul, without being an overly large behemoth of a toy.

floating platform - Here I gave thought to the idea of an extending rear deck that could even have the deck extend more. I figured, why have a large transport deck always there not doing anything? After a vehicle drop, off the rear, the hovercraft could still be a very viable floating gun platform!

rafting - I gave more thought to the "flight" part of operating a hovercraft, too. Variable swing-out propeller shafts *could be* something akin to someone using the swing-wing feature of the Skystriker XP-14F! As well, the "slide-out" extending deck essentially could be a towed "air-cushion barge," of sorts. Deck cranes could secure the vehicle which would be suspended solely under the frame, rather than having all wheels on a deck (decreasing the need for more material).

Shaping - Instead of a full skirt under the whole craft, I started to think a fast "U" skirt would be just as good for the main craft. This would open up a whole storage area underneath the vehicle for the "air-cushion barge." (A.C.B.?)

on deck - Here I thought about where certain stations might be, where the wheel-house is, and what kind of structure the "flying turret" might be supported by.

Just more thought of how the deck might look, long-range cannons for the skipper, as well as an overall shape.

Turrets and armor - In some thoughts, I wondered if a tank-like turret on the "flying turret position would be kind of interesting, adding not only a transportation and boating use, but one of amphibious armor.

The end result? - Pretty much what I am going with.

Getting closer.....

gave some thought to deck cranes and how the "air-cushion barge" might interact, as well as to how high the "flying turret" is, as well as what the personnel deck level is.

Just playing, the armored view-ports looked like eyes here, so, of course, I had to try some teeth.

Originally, I started out very boxy in form, which is very "army," but I found the "fast" curvilinear form kind of fun and exciting.

It's starting to feel like something here to me, a little old-school W.H.A.L.E., a little Shark 9000, as well as a little covert-assault A.C.V.