People envisioned a future where automobiles and highways would be obsolete, replaced by family hovercrafts gliding effortlessly over land, water, and ice on a cushion of air. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Ottawa-based firms tried to make this prediction a reality. For a short time, the capital became a global centre of air cushion vehicle (a.k.a. hovercraft) production before the dream foundered due to mechanical problems, stability issues, and noise concerns. But for a time, two Ottawa firms stood out, Canahover Ltd and M.H.V. Industries Ltd, both of which started operations in the capital in 1968. Both companies showed off their model hovercrafts at an outdoor Dominion Day exhibition the following year.
HoveRover
Originally patterned after a British amateur hovercraft - The Players No6 designed by Formula 1 race car designer Owen Maddock. The HoveRover went into mass production in Ottawa in the late 1960's. It was so successful that quite a number were sold in Britain!
The HoveRover, a 16-foot hovercraft, was powered by twin 25 hp engines and a front-mounted lift fan. It could travel over land, water, and snow, reaching speeds of up to 55 mph. The craft, made of fiberglass and aluminum, had a range of 120 miles and could clear 10-inch obstacles.
March 1969, the company publicly demonstrated for the first time its sports model, designed and built in Ottawa, on the Rideau River in front of journalists and potential dealers from across Canada and the United States. They and William Guttenberg, president of Bogue Electric, who had come up from New Jersey for the event, witnessed two hovercrafts successfully perform manoeuvres at high speed over the ice and open water of Mooney’s Bay.
Canahover, the manufacturer, envisioned the HoveRover as a versatile vehicle for remote areas and recreational use. However, despite initial interest, including a large order from the Shah of Iran, the hovercraft's high cost and complex technology limited its mass appeal. The company's ambitious production goals were not realized, and the HoveRover ultimately failed to achieve the widespread popularity of the snowmobile.
Spectra
The M.H.V. Spectra I in operation on the Ottawa River with the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge in the background, advertising postcard, M.H.V. Industries
The Spectra I, a less sophisticated cousin of the HoveRover, was a twin-engine hovercraft powered by 25 hp engines. It was described as a "funland bump car with a big fan on the back." Despite its potential, M.H.V. Industries faced numerous challenges, including structural issues, engine power limitations, and control difficulties. The craft's tendency to drift and its potential for sudden, dangerous stops further hindered its success. Additionally, poor quality components like mufflers and propellers contributed to its downfall. Ultimately, financial constraints prevented M.H.V. from making necessary improvements, leading to the company's voluntary receivership in 1970.
.Despite the introduction of the much-improved Spectra II model, M.H.V. Industries did not last for very long. Sales were anemic. By 1974, the firm was bankrupt, its assets sold off to help pay back creditors. It was officially dissolved for good in 1980.