About Viper Hovercraft

Nell Fabrication / Viper Hovercraft has served the hovercraft industry and enthusiast since 1991, with extensive knowledge in the construction and maintenance of 1 to 6 person hovercraft.

Our products and services include:

•  Hovercraft, kits, plans and components
•  Composite/Kevlar/Carbon fabrication, modification and repairs
•  Light machining and welding services
•  Hovercraft electrical repairs and rewiring
•  Two and four stroke hovercraft engine servicing and overhauls
•  Second hand Hovercraft and components
•  Fiberglass repairs to boats, cars, trucks, horse floats and caravans
•  Nickel, copper and zinc electroplating
•  Aluminium casting and associated foundry works

About the owner - Michael Nell

I started my working career in 1980 as a automotive engineer / motor body builder.

I became seriously interested in small hovercraft in 1988. I joined the NSW hovercraft club in 1990 where I took on the role as secretary, organizing club events and producing the club publication, NSW Hovercraft News.

In 1991, I took on the role as secretary of the Australian Hovercraft Federation, co-coordinating national hovercraft racing events, annual national cruise events, producing the AHF publication Australian Hovercraft News and the AHF website. In the same year, I started a small engineering business, Nell fabrication, which also repaired and restored small hovercraft.

In 1995, Nell Fabrication expanded to produce complete hovercraft and fiberglass parts for local Australian Hovercraft manufacturers and other assorted industries. The business also carried out fiberglass and composites fabrication and repairs in the general fiberglass industry.

In 1997, I founded the Viper Hovercraft name producing the Viper Cruiser plans and kits. I produced and supplied the first first fully built Viper production rescue hovercraft in 2000 to the Taiwanese Government.

By mid 2002, The business grew to include a second factory combining Viper Hovercraft and Nell Fabrication over 1000 sq/m. On average, I produced 18 hovercraft per year up until 2012.

In 2012, I moved to Goulburn NSW to care for my parents and continued production on the parents small hobby farm. Over this time, production numbers decreaced dramaticly due to parental commitments and the weather. However, I developed three new Viper models, completed mechanical engineering, electroplating and foundry studies to produce the current 5XS hovercraft model we see today.

Over a period of 34+ years, Nell fabrication and Viper Hovercraft has made variety of Hovercraft designs, competition surf boats, ridged inflatable surf rescue boats, competition rowing skulls, building facers, Defense force parts, light aircraft parts, vertical take off and landing craft, display stands, and a variety of other parts (too many to mention).

I am often asked, why i say "we" when asked what I done in person. I do so to include my staff and those who have helped to acquired my knowledge.

News articles

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