- Vietnamese inventor Trang Long Ho builds a UFO-shaped jet boat from scratch
- The fibreglass vessel is capable of reaching top speeds of up to 31 mph (50km/h)
Whether or not you believe in UFOs, there’s no denying that this incredible craft is truly out of this world.
Amazing footage shows how an inventor has created a fully functional flying saucer-shaped jet boat in his home workshop.
Made of fiberglass and a few steel plates, the stunning creation features automatic doors, light-up panels, and just enough room for the pilot to sit.
While it might not soar through the air, the boat still clocks some impressive speeds reaching 31 mph (50km/h) as it skims across the water.
In a post on Facebook sharing the amazing invention, the craftsman Tran Long Ho wrote: ‘I created what I was dreaming.’
Vietnamese inventor Tran Long Ho has created an incredible flying saucer-shaped jet boat capable of reaching 31 mph (50km/h)
While Mr Ho’s creation might look futuristic, it actually begins with some very basic materials.
In a video documenting the building process, he begins by building up a model out of sand in the shape of the UFO’s top section.
This sand mould is then covered with a thin layer of concrete to create a hard shell, over which Mr Ho and his team layer sheets of fibreglass and epoxy.
Once the fibreglass has been set, the builders are able to lift up the structure and chip away the concrete to leave a thin, light hull.
Next, the hull is reinforced with a lattice of fibreglass ridges and hexagons before the process is repeated to create the bottom hull where the engines are installed.
Mr Ho then creates cutouts for a series of hexagonal windows and sliding door panels.
Mr Ho begins by sculpting a UFO shape out of sand which he uses to make a concrete mould
By layering fibreglass over the mould, the builders create a dish-like shape. Mr Ho then attaches a pattern of hexagonal boards to provide structure and mark the location of future panels
Using a cleverly designed mechanism, the doors are able to open and slide to the sides just like you might imagine a real spaceship.
With the overall structure in place, Mr Ho turns his attention to the electronics and controls.
LED strips are used to provide a futuristic glow around the panels and a steering wheel, pedals, and dashboard are installed within the cockpit.
In the video, you can also see as Mr Ho solders dozens of small solar panel segments into large panels which are installed on the outside of the craft.
Since we don’t see Mr Ho install a battery system it is likely that these are used to power the lights and electronic doors.
Once the fibreglass has dried, the process is repeated to create a similar bottom layer where the engine is installed
The boat is fitted with sliding doors and lined with grey material to make it more comfortable
The small cockpit features a steering wheel, pedals, and a dashboard complete with speedometer and light-up controls
After a final lick of paint and some last pieces of decoration, the flying saucer is complete and ready to test.
The video shows as Mr Ho – who has to recline quite far back to fit in the low cockpit – races along a river at high speeds of 31 mph (50km/h), according to Vietnamese news outlet Tuoi Tre News.
Part of the craft’s bottom section is shaped like a conventional flat-bottomed boat which gives the round vessel more directional control.
However, the ride still looks far from smooth as the boat often lurches backwards and leaps out of the water before jolting back down.
The UFO-shaped boat is completed with a coating of grey paint. Mr Ho also installs a series of solar panels on the upper surface to provide power for the doors and lights
On social media, commenters expressed their amazement at this impressive feat of nautical engineering.
One viewer wrote: ‘I am an old retired engineer. I have designed a lot of things in my time, but this is the coolest thing I have ever seen!’
‘Never in my life have I seen so much talent in one individual. You are a gift to all mankind. Thank you so much for your inspiration and creativity,’ wrote another.
While another enthusiastic commenter wrote: ‘You are an alien from the space. That’s how you made a boat spaceship from scratch! No human could do what you did!’
The electronic doors of the vessel open with the press of a button and allow the pilot to enter. On the doors, a message reads: ‘The universe is vast and life is endless’
Mr Ho is seen driving his boat at high speeds on a river. There is not a lot of room in the craft but the pilot is able to see through the small windows
If you were thinking about getting a UFO boat of your own, the bad news is that Mr Ho says he doesn’t make products for commercial sale.
However, in a post on his Facebook fan page translated from Vietnamese Mr Ho writes: ‘The works I do are mainly recording videos for entertainment, but anyone who likes to buy then I will sell them to get the money for accessories to invest for new and more interesting videos!’
Referring to an older jet boat, Mr Ho said that it was ‘somewhere around 20 million’ adding ‘If you like it, just message me.’
Assuming that Mr Ho means 20 million Vietnamese Dong, that would be the equivalent of roughly £612 ($814).
Mr Ho is yet to say whether his latest UFO-shaped creation has been sold, so there could still be time to grab yourself a bargain.