Ekranoplan (Wikipedia) – An ekranoplan (Russian “screen plane”) is a vehicle resembling an aircraft but which operates solely on the principle of ground effect. Ground effect vehicles (GEV) fly above any flat surface, with the height above ground dependent upon the size of the vehicle.
Every once in a while I come across a unique and unexpected video on YouTube. I really don’t remember where (perhaps Kottke) I saw this video of the Caspian Sea Monster linked; but for rare Russian concepts, it’s right up there.
Your chance of seeing an Ekranoplan in action is extremely low, but Boeing is considering a monster called the Pelican for military service, and you can (provided your name is Gates, Walton, or Khodorkovsky) buy a Ekranoplan today.
