Bob Vanderheiden’s Corvette Orange Neoteric Hovercraft

As Ol’ Blue Eyes (Frank Sinatra) once said, “Orange is the happiest color.” Maybe that’s why Nebraska’s Bob Vanderheiden, who describes himself as “courageous, self-reliant, young-at-heart and happy” chose 1973 Corvette burnt orange as the color of his new Neoteric recreational hovercraft …

And it’s also the color of all his other toys, as well, including his three Jeeps …

Bob decided on a hovercraft while searching for a recreational vehicle he could use year-round. “I live on the Platte River, plus we have a lot of lakes and sand pits, so I figured it’s something I can use 12 months a year, since it will go just as well over ice and snow as rivers and lakes.” And Bob says he decided on a Neoteric craft because, “I’m always interested in American-made products - and the reverse thrusters are what sold me.”

When he traveled to Terre Haute to undergo pilot training at Hovercraft Training Centers, Bob was no stranger to operating unusual vehicles. “I drove the largest man-made maneuverable object for four years, the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier in the Navy. I logged thousands of hours. Other than that, Jeeps, airplanes – now it’s going to be a hovercraft.”

With a thumbs-up, Bob is ready to board his new craft for an afternoon of flight training …

Wireless headsets in place, HTC instructor Chris Fitzgerald gives Bob a preflight briefing …

Before launch, Fitzgerald gives Bob a preview of what Neoteric's reverse thrust buckets can do …

And with another thumbs-up, Bob’s new craft is launched onto the Wabash River …

In short time, Bob takes over the controls and is flying his craft smoothly upriver …

We can’t promise you it will be in a Corvette orange craft but

you, too, can take a spin in a Neoteric Hovercraft at HTC – for only $250!