The Mistral R is now part of our standard product range, it is a development of our successful
Mistral craft, having the same basic layout with the ‘cabin/deck area’ being the same. However behind the rear
row of seats is a duct box housing a 650mm lift fan , this air is ducted out in
the same way as our Vortex7 craft.
This fan is powered by a Briggs &
Stratton 28hp Horizontal shaft engine.
All the engineering components are behind the
rear set of seats leaving the ‘cabin/deck area’ clear for operations. At Vortex
we avoid putting lift engines at the front of the craft, no matter how well
they are shielded water can always find its way into the fan/engine assembly
causing break downs and failures. By putting all machinery behind the occupants
not only is it safer but also quieter during operation.
This craft was originally produced as a
military prototype, whilst there are some advantages in having a twin engined
craft in very arduous conditions these operating conditions are rare. The key
advantage of this craft is that the performance is very high, with 28hp engine
providing full lift the 80hp thrust engine is just being used for performance
and as such it is as quick as our F2 racing craft.
We have found that with this
craft (along with our twin engined Sirocco), when traveling at speed on smooth
surfaces such, as wet sand, that when releasing the thrust throttle the craft
continues to travel at almost the same speed, which is good but slowing down
without brakes is ‘fun’!!
On a serious note it does have an
excellent role in the search and rescue environment due to its slow speed
maneuverability.