Third Doctor's Pursuit Hovercraft

Civilian compact hovercraft used by the Third Doctor to pursue Victor Lupton's stolen motorboat along the riverbank in Planet of the Spiders Part 2

1 appearances

Purpose

High-speed personal transport optimized for calm coastal waters and smooth riverbanks, used here as an improvised pursuit vehicle during emergency chases.

Significance

Marks the transition from the Doctor’s preferred terrestrial escape craft to an unfamiliar, less stable air-cushion platform. Its civilian nature underscores the abrupt shift from negotiation to relentless pursuit, testing the Doctor’s adaptability under time pressure.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

1 moments

S11E22 · Planet of the Spiders Part 2

Lupton violently steals a boat to escape pursuit

The tiny hovercraft becomes the Doctor’s chosen pursuit vehicle, transitioning him from a fragile position on the riverbank to a responsive pursuit along the shoreline. Its compact single-seat design, fiberglass hull, and wrap-around canopy allow agile maneuvering despite the uneven terrain and shallow waters. Though less stable than the space car, its responsiveness and speed are vital in keeping Lupton’s boat in sight as the river bends and the current pulls.

Before: Parked on the muddy edge of the riverbank, idle and unoccupied until the Doctor and Sarah Jane claim it for pursuit

After: Activated and skimmed along the river’s edge in hot pursuit of Lupton’s fleeing motorboat

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