On 31/07/2015 15:18, ss wrote:
....
There was a prototype, designed to skim the water surface rather than
proper flying.
Video clip....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlEt0bCeTy8

The Ekranoplan. By flying at less than the wingspan above the water they
took advantage of ground effect. The ground interrupts the formation of
wingtip vortices, which results in less drag and more lift.

Nasty music on the video though.

--
Colin Bignell