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US Navy Bell SK-5 Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV)

The SK-5 Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle (PACV) "Pac-vee" was built by Bell Aerosystems under license from Saunders-Roe as a copy of the SR.N5 Hovercraft. The SK-5 was adapted for military use and saw limited use during the Vietnam War, starting in 1966. While they proved themselves as effective platforms for conducting operations in the region of the Mekong Delta, their heavy maintenance workload often limited the availability of the vehicle. They were removed from service in 1970 and replaced with the now famous Patrol Boat, Riverine (PBR). After their return to the United States they were evaluated by the U.S. Coast Guard and saw limited use thereafter, only one survives today at the Yanks Air Museum in Chino, California.

This version of the PACV shares a similar layout to the ones used by the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam war; unfortunately very little information is publicly available on the vehicle so I had to take several liberties in regard to the interior appearance/layout, and systems operation. Regardless, the PACV is perfect for quickly moving from island to island and raiding/capturing them from the enemy; it can also traverse most of the low lands in game and transition from land to water easily, allowing for great speed and mobility in crossing the in-game map. It also comes equipped with various mounted machine guns, assorted small arms, explosives, radar, and the XM3 Personnel Detector "People Sniffer".

SPECIFICATIONS/EQUIPMENT
• Range: 350+ KM
  
• Speed: 60+ Knots
  
• One Twin M2 .50 Cal Machine Gun turret
  
• Two mounted M60 Machine Guns Port and Starboard
  
• Assorted Small Arms and Explosives
  
• Radar
  
• XM3 Personnel Detector "People Sniffer"
  
  
  STARTING CHECKLIST:
  ***Ensure the option to have 'Infinite Electricity' is turned OFF before starting***
  
• Battery - ON
  
• Navigation Lights - AS REQUIRED
  
• Fuel Pump - ON
  
• H.P. C0ck - ON
  
• Engine Start - PRESSED
  
• Starter Light - OBSERVED, ON
  
• Turbine RPM - Rises over 2000, OBSERVED
  
• Inverter - AS REQUIRED*
  
• Marker Light - AS REQUIRED
  
• Engine Throttle - Set to High, SET/ON
  
• Start Checklist - COMPLETE
  
  *The Inverter is only required if the Radar, and XM3 Personnel Detector are needed.
  
  XM3 PERSONNEL DETECTOR:
  The XM3 Personnel Detector or "People Sniffer" was a device used during the Vietnam War which could detect the presence of human activity. This version solely detects the presence of NPC's, but it's effectiveness can be diminished due to high wind and vehicle speeds. Once powered the screen will display an oscillating line on the 'paper' printout. When NPC's are detected the line will oscillate more coarsely followed by a clicking sound. The High/Low sensitivity setting allows for more localized detection in a given area, as listed below:
  -Low Sensitivity: The effective range is 300M, at any wind or vehicle speed.
  -High Sensitivity: The effective range is 1000M, wind and vehicle speed affect capability.
  
  NOTES
  
• The PACV used a system of hydraulics to 'lift' it's skirt to allow for turns and slipping, this rendition operates similarly.
  
• The PACV had a series of "Puff Ports" port and starboard that could direct air laterally and arrest yaw or slip the hovercraft left or right, this vehicle has that system implemented and can be used via the Hotkeys.
  
• In an emergency, drop the Throttle RPM to 'low' and the hovercraft will stop quickly, even on water.
  
• Use of the Trim (available in the cockpit, not the 'Alt-key' Trim) is highly recommend, setting a high 'nose up' angle over water allows for higher speeds, setting the Trim 'nose down' is useful in rough seas to aid in turning. Pitching the skirt down 'W-key' also allows for tighter turning.
  
• Like all hovercraft the PACV is susceptible to high winds, and steep terrain.
  
• While it is capable of high speeds over land, I recommend keeping your speed under control to avoid damage.
  
• When you encounter a "lip" or "glitch" in the terrain use Hotkey 6 "Clear Obstacle" to lift the Hovercraft slightly so you can negotiate the obstacle. The hovercraft will return to it's normal height after a few seconds.
  
• The 'Engine Fault' light will come on when one of a few things happen with the engine:
  - The Throttle is moved to the 'high' setting before the Turbine reaches 2000 RPM*
  - The Engine is shutdown while the Throttle is still in the 'high' setting
  - The Throttle is moved to the 'high' position when the oil pressure is below ~40psi
  *This action also results in the Turbine suffering a "Flame-out"
  
• The radar takes 30 seconds to warm up, so it is recommended the Radar Power be turned 'on', but the antenna left 'stowed' until needed.

I hope you enjoy this hovercraft, WH1T3_No1SE with his Zephyr Class Hovercraft and Sir_Murtak with his LCAC served as an inspiration and a source of knowledge for this project.
Thanks Gents!

You can find their AMAZING hovercraft here:

WH1T3_No1SE's Zephyr Class Hovercraft:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2294173508
Sir_Murtak's LCAC "Fulgora" - Amphibious Landing Craft:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2305358944

UPDATE: 09 AUG 2022:
- Fixed Radar
- Added 6 sets of Body Armor*
* Reference screenshot above for locations

ENJOY!