The Build
The Vikings
The Vikings and their expert Ian Batey decided to keep it simple and brutal. They planned to build a catapult so large that it would need to be mounted on a lorry. Bungee cord would propel their mannequin in the air via an enormous gun barrel, fashioned from lengths of mega diameter drainage pipe.
When Cornelius and Captain Valgaard weren't arguing, the Vikings' build was a study of steady progress and for a while it looked as though they might actually finish early.
That was until they started looking for the winch that they'd use to tension their bungee cord. Their search was proving fruitless. They happened upon a winch with a maximum pulling power of half a tonne that failed to impress expert Ian who was looking for at least four times more force.
Finally, in the twilight, Cornelius hit the junk jackpot, in the form of a meaty mammoth of a winch that Ian decreed was perfect for the job. After a frantic last hour the Vikings' supergun was complete.
The Beach Bums
The Beach Bums and their expert Mike Groves went for a more precise and measured approach. Their plan involved attaching a wing to their mannequin (who they named Cliff!) before gliding him into the quarry.
Cliff was to be launched by means of an engine-powered winch and ramp. Finding a small truck with an engine to power the winch proved easy and the decision to use one of its rear wheels as a giant, driven fishing reel to launch the mannequin seemed inspired, but extracting the vehicle from the 'heap was an altogether different story.
As Gilly and Simon wasted valuable time, Captain Andy and expert Mike turned their attention to the ramp from which Cliff would be launched. Measurements needed to be precise, as anything other than a smooth journey up the ramp would result in Cliff nosediving.
When the scavengers eventually returned to base with their truck it soon became clear that some of the Beach Bums were more interested in clowning about than in building and it took firm guidance from the captain and expert to keep the build on track.
