 |
 |
 |
Grumman had in the mid 70s proposed to develop a Flagstaff Mk II Patrol Hydrofoil which was to be a modernized and upgraded version of the PGH-1 Flagstaff. The Flagstaff patrol hydrofoil built in 1968 had many design similarities with the Dolphin passenger hydrofoil built two years earlier. The Flagstaff Mk II, which was also referred to as the Super Flagstaff, was to have had a greater payload and range than the original Flagstaff. According to Jane's Surface Skimmers 1974-75 the principal differences between the upgraded hydrofoil and its predecessor were to be a gas turbine of greater power output, an improved right-angle drive for the propeller shaft, and the use of larger foils and struts. This would have enabled the full load displacement to increase from 67.5 tons for the Flagstaff to 83.5 tons for the Mk II. Although Jane's 74-75 indicates that the development of the Dolphin class had been discontinued, it is just possible that the improved design features developed for the Flagstaff Mk II prompted Grumman to resurrect plans for the commercial variant of the hydrofoil as a Dolphin Mk II? The Flagstaff Mk II was never built. For additional information and photos of the sole Dolphin that was completed, download the January 2001 issue of Classic Fast Ferries available at http://classicfastferries.go.to
This model actually had interchangeable superstructure modules which could be swapped around.
|
|
|
|