Guy Martin - WW1 Tank - Channel 4

Hi - did anyone watch Guy Martin on Channel 4 and the building of a replica WW1 tank? If not, well worth a watch. Really amazing, what was done, how it was done and by whom not the least by the 20 year old German model maker's contribution, and the reality brought home of exactly what it must have been like operating those tanks for real at the time.

If nothing else, seeing how it was built today using modern machinery and methods I was left with profound respect for the skills and abilities of the workers - mainly women it seems - who made the original tanks 100 years ago using the methods and machines they had available then.

Typical last minute 'elf n safety' sting in the tail at the end by Plod but a brilliant recovery in choosing an alternative anniversary venue to Lincoln.

Chris

Excellent programme, Chris

Mrs.G. enjoyed it too.

MichaelG.

Excellent programme, I was surprised that the Council had originally agreed to the Idea in the first place.

Can you imagine the damage those metal tracks would have done to their nice posh pavements? 

Very good programme.

Tremendous input from JCB with the metalwork, some of that machinery they use is amazing! very worth while watching.

Typical Guy Martin gig, get it done!

Yes excellent work from JCB!

Tony

I did not see them mentioned in the credits at the end of an excellent program, an excellent program (sorry Guy).

Did anyone?

Pete

They got well deserved advertising all through the programme. I didn't even look at the credits.

Tony

Anyone else remember the child killed at the Camerton Steam Rally in the 70s? The engines came close to the crowd to give everyone a good view. The crowd was separated from the engine by a tape. I thought it was safe: it wasn't.

Does anyone know Lincoln? I suspect the concern would be people coming close to a 30 ton tank being steered by one man, and taken out of drive by another. Who can't hear because the engine is noisy. Fine if the crowd are well back, very tricky in a narrow space.

Dave

Agreed Brian, I didn't see the parade on the 12th but thought the tank was a static display. I know that when this replica (from War Horse film) was shown at Trafalgar Square chequer plate was laid on the road surface for the tank to run on.

Interesting program, a great pity it could not be used at the Lincoln event. Some impressive work done by JCB, less impressed by the people who did the internal workings. I wonder why the RR B60(?) was used rather than the running engine from the JCB 3C that provided the transmission? Power? I believe the "War Horse" replica used the power pack from a JCB tracked vehicle, consequently it steers well, something the Guy Martin replica didn't.

John

Not allowed to run Tanks on metal tracks, hence they all have rubber pads fitted. German road are all badly damaged by tanks on exercise.

Clive

Yes I watched the program, only trouble I do not know what language Guy Martin speaks ? I can rarely understand what he is saying.

Call me a suspicious old Hector if you like, but I think it may have been done deliberately to add dramatic tension. 'It's gone wrong at the last moment, will they be able to fix it in time?'

Watching 'Escape' part of the fun is spotting what I think are last minute challenges thrown at the team. Examples include: a tyre that deflates during the night; a previously tested engine that won't restart due to an apparently OK fuse; a welder power cable that goes missing; a water tank drained because 'someone' left the tap dripping...

Much of it's genuine though, the chap who mangled his finger really was bleeding!

Dave

Oh so easy for 'armchair engineers' to criticise.

Tony

Has anyone mentioned how all this was done in the timescale ? A young German model maker had converted the original drawings into CAD and then JCB converted them into their system for CAM. Well I think I've got that right.

" only trouble I do not know what language Guy Martin speaks ?"

He speaks uncontrolled enthusiasm, reminds me of a Labrador puppy. Good on ya Guy.

Regards Ian.

 Hopefully his next programme will TOTALLY kick driverless cars into touch despite Hammond.

Edited By Circlip on 22/11/2017 11:56:27

Yes, he's back on again this Sunday for another interesting program.