“The Soviets had a monopoly on this fascinating technology, relying on a little-known principle of physics – the “ground effect” – in which a dense cushion of air hugging the ground can provide more lift to a vehicle than air at higher altitudes.

Hovering about 3 – 12 feet above the ground, these vehicles resemble Luke Skywalker’s levitating craft from Star Wars, and far more fuel-efficient than airplanes, helicopters, hydrofoil, or cars. And at 58 feet, the largest of these, the “Caspian Sea Monster” was given its distinctive name after CIA analyst saw it at the Caspian port of Baku in photos taken by spy satellites. The craft traveled at speeds of up to 240 mph, had a swiveling nose cone for cargo loading, and could carry up to as many as 150 passengers.”

Holy smokes! What other ‘little-known principles of physics’ have we totally overlooked? Does this mean I’ll finally be able to commission that sweet solid gold condor plane the Spanish kids from The Mysterious Cities of Gold ride around in?

Plane found nestling in this fascinating article detailing seven ‘insane’ Soviet projects.

Just imagine how these productions might have sounded as US Presidential campaign promises:

The world’s tallest Cathedrals dynamited and replaced by giant swimming pools! A nuclear-powered ice-breaker for every Alaskan!* US Senate buildings demolished and replaced by Dr Manhattan’s glass Martian palace! A string quartet to serenade lonesome prisoners in Guantánamo!

*this is literally where Palin went wrong.