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| Robert tries to fathom Archimedes' principle (see Science) |
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Tugs of War
This week the teams must go back in time. And our challenge is only marginally easier than building a time machine from scrap. They must build tugboats, but using only technology that predates the invention of the propeller.
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| Jemma McConville, Dave Norbury and Jason Woodall |
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| Hadrian Spooner |
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Martial Mechanics
This is a team of martial arts fanatics. Jemma McConville, the captain, is a black belt in judo and tae kwon do. David 'Big Dave' Norbury is Jemma's boss at work, which involves vehicle engineering and recovery. These days Dave is mostly an armchair expert in martial arts. Jason Woodall first got interested in mechanics through maintaining his motorcycle. He currently works as a plasterer and painter.
For their second challenge, the Martial Mechanics have on board the engineer and fabricator Hadrian Spooner. Hadrian was one of a small team of engineers who designed and built Snowbird 6, a craft powered by an Archimedes' screw (see the science section), which became the first powered craft to cross the Bering Straits between Alaska and Russia.
So can the Mechanics martial their arts for another victory?
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| Toby Kilner, Monty Ravenscroft and Johnny Boys |
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| Colin Poole |
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Boat Buoys
This is a team of boat specialists who go banger racing in their spare time. Toby Kilner spent many years as a marine engineer and now builds houseboats. Johnny Boys has always had an interest in taking things apart and reconstructing them. For a living he buys and sells boats and engines. Monty Ravenscroft built his own workshop when he was 15 and has slaved in it ever since, building a variety of custom cars, inventions and design prototypes.
The Boat Buoys' new TC, Colin Poole, has owned and operated a firm that builds and designs boats for the past 20 years. Recent projects have included a Mississippi-style paddle steamer, airboats and waterjet-powered hydroplanes.
Our boys know their boats, so will they paddle serenely into the final? Or will they find themselves up a creek without a paddle?
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| Phillip Wilson |
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The expert
This week our expert is Professor Phillip Wilson, professor of ship science at Southampton University. Phillip was closely involved in raising the Mary Rose – one aspect of his experience that we hope won't be relevant to this challenge ...
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