Seen here is the ‘amphibian otter’, a caravan built in the 1950s for the purpose of travelling on water as well as on land.
Designed by inventor Alan Eckford and built by Ron Sams of Hoddesdon, it is seen here being taken to the River Lea in Broxbourne and sailing merrily along, no doubt to the surprise of any onlookers.
Click on the image below to play the video clip.
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I was interested to read the article about the Otter floating caravan. I worked for Alan Eckford in the early 1960s building sailing craft at his small factory unit in Conduit Lane Hoddesdon next to Sams Bros factory he was a great chap, ex WW2 Spitfire pilot. I spent great times with Alan sailing on the river Crouch. The Pathe news clip shows Alan, Ron and wives with the Otter commentary by Eamon Andrews of ‘this is your life’ fame