Ekranoplans & The Caspian Sea Monster

Ground effect vehicles were developed initially in Scandinavia. Using "the ground effect", a physical anomaly, to induce low altitude flight. All of this was done in a relatively fuel efficient manner, certainly comparably against an aeroplane. The effect is caused by vortices of air under the wing of an aircraft which creates almost a cushion for the vehicle to ride along on. Vehicles utilising this phenomenon are referred to as ground effect vehicles.

The soviets developed these machines as troop transports and even in the case of the Lun class Ekranoplan, weapons platforms.



For more images and videos of these marvellous machines read more after the jump.