Henley is best known for its Royal Regatta, where elite rowers from around the world take to the water and race to victory.
But yesterday crowds gathered to watch a different kind of boat sail down the River Thames.
A fleet of amphibious vehicles took to the waters off Oxfordshire as part of the annual Traditional Boat Festival.
Working both on land and in water, the amphibious vehicles surprised the public by launching themselves into the river.
An army green car in the water had a very special crew member: a dog.
A military green amphibious vehicle moves along the River Thames with a dog on board
A Dutton Surf 4×4 amphibious vehicle cruises through the water with its driver in a stylish striped jacket at the wheel.
The Traditional Boat Festival took place in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.
The incident dates back to the 1970s, when a group of boat owners were concerned about the disappearance of motorless vessels “seen abandoned and rotting along the River Thames”.
Prizes were introduced for antique and classic vehicles, as well as for military and amphibious vehicles, and are still hotly contested today.
The event now also includes a dog show and an air show team.
Some of the earliest known amphibious vehicles date back to the 18th century.
But this unique mode of transport was further developed during World War II.
One of the most important amphibious vehicles to emerge from the war was the Landing Vehicle Tracked Vehicle, or LVT, a tractor developed for the United States Marine Corps.
The LVT began its operational life as little more than a floating truck, according to Britannica.
The crowd watches in amazement as the blue amphibious vehicle effortlessly makes its way to land after sailing down the river as part of the Traditional Boat Festival.
A couple sit in the back of their amphibious vehicle as they cruise along the Thames.
The driver (or captain) skillfully maneuvers the engine as the car passes under a bridge.
Two other amphibious vehicles speed along the river as passersby watch from the banks.
A couple races through the water in their vintage red amphibious car decorated with a British flag.
A man sits behind the wheel of his amphibious vehicle. On the dashboard is a rubber duck dressed as a sailor.
The amphibious vehicles on display at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival were slightly more advanced.
A man was driving (or captaining) a Dutton Surf, capable of reaching a top speed of five knots on the water.
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