The German Navy experimented with several hydrofoil designs during the Second World War. Most were designed to fast attack boats, potential replacements for the highly capable Schnellboots. However, one particular hydrofoil design differed from the herd in that it was designed as a highspeed transport and landing craft. This hydrofoil was known as VS8.
The difficulties in transporting equipment across the Mediterranean were the primary motivator behind the design. Earlier testing with smaller hydrofoils had been positive and it was hoped that such a craft would allow for reliable transport of material across the Mediterranean with a smaller chance of interception. In 1942, two hydrofoil transports were ordered, designated VS8 & VS9. Ultimately, only VS8 would be completed.
VS8 was designed as a large, very fast transport craft. It was the largest hydrofoil yet built at 104.5' (31.9m) in length and 26.25' (8m) at the beam (35' (10.6m) across if counting the foils). Displacement was about 70 tons with no cargo.
Maximum cargo capacity was to be 28 tons, originally designed with the ability to carry a Panzer IV or Panzer 38(t) tank in mind. Two 2500hp diesel motors, each driving their own shaft, would propel the craft at a sustained speed of 41 knots with the ability to briefly sprint to 45 knots.
The most interesting feature of VS8 was how it offloaded cargo. Hydrofoils, due to their underwater foils, have difficulties navigating shallow water. This makes the process of removing the cargo difficult as the craft cannot beach itself or even easily tie up to piers. To address this issue, VS8 carried its own separate landing craft. A motorized pontoon, driven by two 40hp motors, would be carried in a vehicle bay at the stern. Once VS8 arrived offshore, the vehicle bay would be flooded and the pontoon would carry the cargo ashore. Testing revealed this process to be remarkably easy, the pontoon being able to be offloaded in as little as 1 minute.
Though the pontoon worked well, other tests of VS8 were something of a mixed bag.
Due to material shortages, the specified 2500hp diesel motors could not be sourced. Instead, weaker 2000hp motors had to be used. This, coupled with the fact that the prototype was a few tons overweight, resulted in a slower speed. The highest speed achieved during trials was 41 knots. The maximum sustainable speed was about 37 knots.
Despite these initial hangups, further development was ordered. As the need for transport craft diminished, it was hoped that VS8 could function as a high-speed minelayer.
Unfortunately, VS8 would not have a long career. VS8 was lost during tests in September 1944. During the trials, the motors were disabled (supposedly after running aground during bad weather) and the craft drifted ashore. Despite salvage efforts, the hull broke in two and was declared a total loss. A sad end to one of the most interesting designs of its time.