Guy Martin – WW1 Tank – Channel 4

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

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

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Excellent programme, Chris

Mrs.G. enjoyed it too.

MichaelG.

[Carl Wilson 4Participant @carlwilson4]

I wish I’d known about that as it sounds fascinating. Hopefully I will be able to watch on demand.

[Brian Sweeting 2Participant @briansweeting2]

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? 

[Adrian GilesParticipant @adriangiles39248]

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!

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Yes excellent work from JCB!

Tony

[SpurryParticipant @spurry]

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 21/11/2017 16:26:17:

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

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Posted by Spurry on 21/11/2017 16:43:38:

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 21/11/2017 16:26:17:

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

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Posted by Brian Sweeting on 21/11/2017 15:44:48:

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

It didn't seem to worry the authorities in London when a WW1 tank went to the cenotaph.

Brian

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

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

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

It was an amazing endeavour. But who specified the washing machine bearings for the sprockets? Even I could see they were woefully weak for the job. Much better second go.

[Brian Sweeting 2Participant @briansweeting2]

Posted by Brian Hutchings on 21/11/2017 17:55:05:

Posted by Brian Sweeting on 21/11/2017 15:44:48:

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

It didn't seem to worry the authorities in London when a WW1 tank went to the cenotaph.

Brian

 

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.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

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

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

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

[Bryan Cedar 1Participant @bryancedar1]

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

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Tractor man on 21/11/2017 19:09:22:
It was an amazing endeavour. But who specified the washing machine bearings for the sprockets? Even I could see they were woefully weak for the job. Much better second go.

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

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

Oh so easy for 'armchair engineers' to criticise.

Tony

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

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.

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

" 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

[Russ BParticipant @russb]

Posted by Circlip on 22/11/2017 11:53:34:

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

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

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by Tony Pratt 1 on 22/11/2017 10:26:17:

Oh so easy for 'armchair engineers' to criticise.

Tony

We had them when Guy first started TV programs for the general public its not an Open University program.

[John MCParticipant @johnmc39344]

Something that was not mentioned (I think) in the program was that The tank museum at Bovington has a running Mk IV tank. The Museum has decided not to run it anymore, the reason being that it is now to fragile. A great shame I think. This view of old machinery seems to be at odds with the steam locomotive movement. Old steamers get used, when something breaks or wears out it gets fixed. And they get used hard!

John

[Brian Sweeting 2Participant @briansweeting2]

Very true John but let's be honest, most weapons have to be built with a limited life span don't they?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Brian Sweeting on 23/11/2017 13:51:46:

most weapons have to be built with a limited life span don't they?

I've read that the Battlefield lifetime of a modern 105mm gun is expected to be about 20 minutes. Either the barrel wears out or it gets zapped.

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