Rather interesting use of Hovercraft
https://www.amazon.com/Source-Yangtze-Dick-Bell/dp/034053852X
Where a British expedition went up to the source of the Yangtze using a hovercraft. They also navigated the full length of the Yangtze using that hovercraft, becoming the first people to do so. Very cool: I went to a lecture by Squadron Leader Michael Cole in the early 90s set up at my University Air Squadron whilst I was studying.