Our very own Brian Carter and his Scammell will be in this TV series with the popular Chris Barrie

BRITAIN’S GREATEST MACHINES with Chris Barrie

MACHINES THAT CHANGED THE FACE OF BRITAIN

New series with Chris Barrie is now being shown on FIVE starting on Thursday the 6th May.

Many of you will have seen Brian's preview at our meetings; Now you will be able to see the whole series...

What were the greatest machines in British history? Chris Barrie tracks down the mechanical icons that changed peoples’ lives and helped shaped modern Britain.  From the greatest steam locomotives, the early airliners and the first mass produced cars to design icons like the Austin Mini and the E-Type Jaguar.  As ever, Chris is rolling up his sleeves and getting hands on – if it moves he’ll have a go!

There’s a lot more to all these machines than first meets the eye and Chris digs out forgotten stories and classic moments of invention as he zeroes in on the engineering genius that made each machine so pivotal.  Chris puts these engineering greats to the test, tells the stories of the brains behind them and examines their place in history.   And, of course, this wouldn’t be British engineering without a few glorious failures along the way.

A series packed full of ripping yarns, petrol-soaked adventures and plenty of va va voom, all delivered with passion and a fantastic sense of humour by the superlative Mr. B.

Thursday 6^th May, 8pm        1910s “Triumph And Tragedy”
Thursday 13^th May, 8pm      1920s “The Engine Roaring Twenties”
Thursday 20^th May, 8pm      1930s “Road To War”
Thursday 27^th May, 8pm      1940s “War: Mother Of Invention”
Thursday 3^rd June, 8pm       1950s “A New World Order”
Thursday 10^th June, 8pm     1960s “Revolution By Design”
Thursday 17^th June, 8pm     1980s “The Future Has Landed”
Thursday 23^rd June, 8pm     Trains “The Steam Pioneers”

EPISODE GUIDE

EPISODE 1 – 1910s “Triumph and Tragedy”

Starring: 1914 Leyland Torpedo Charabanc, Morgan Runabout Cyclecar, Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge, Titanic’s Ship Radio, Vickers Machine Gun, WW1 tanks and the Vickers Vimy.

EPISODE 2 – 1920s “The Engine Roaring Twenties”

Starring: Bentley 3 Litre, Brough Superior SS100, De Havilland Gipsy Moth, Scammell Petrol Tanker, Scammell Pioneer, R101 airship.

EPISODE 3 – 1930s “Road To War”

Starring: LNER A4 Gresley, De Havilland Dragon Rapide DH 89a, Crusader III Tank, Sentinel Steam Lorry, Morris 8 convertible, Schneider Supermarine S6-B, and Spitfire Mk IX.  Also featuring: Cruiser Tank Mk III

EPISODE 4 – 1940s “War: Mother of Invention”

Starring: Chain Home Radar and H2S, HSL RAF Rescue Boat, Jowett Fire Pump, Austin 12 Taxi, Austin K2 Fire Truck, David Brown VAK1 Tractor, Daimler Dingo Scout Car, Gloster Meteor, Martin Baker Ejection Seat and the Aston Martin DB2.

EPISODE 5 – 1950s “A New World Order”

Starring: Routemaster Bus, Avro Vulcan Bomber B.2, Class 55 Deltic Diesel Locomotive, Lovell Telescope, De Havilland Comet 1A and 4C, and Land Rover Mk 1. Also featuring: Rover P3

EPISODE 6 - 1960s “Revolution by Design”

Starring: Mini Cooper S, Mini Minor Mk 1, Post Office Tower, Leyland Super Comet, Transit Van Mk1, SR.N6 and Hoverhawk Hovercraft, and Jaguar E-Type Mk 1. Also featuring: Corvette Stingray, Ferrari 250GT Pininfarina, Porsche 911, Morris Minor

EPISODE 7 – 1980s “The Future has Landed”

Starring: DeLorean DMC-12, Westland Lynx HAS.3 Helicopter, Scimitar Tank, Sierra RS Cosworth, Sinclair C-5, ZX Spectrum, Lotus F1, and Esprit Turbo. Also featuring: Ford Cortina, Ford Sierra

EPISODE 8 – Trains “The Steam Pioneers”

Sunday December 6th dawned wet and windy. By about half past nine it was beginning to brighten up over Worthing and by midday the sun had broken through at Hassocks where we met for the winter get-together.

Fewer vehicles met there and even the big boys'toys stayed away, even though their owners came in a modern. The webmaster had set off from Worthing in plenty of time but was thwarted in his effors to arrive in style as once again Penny let him down. On Drive It Day she blew her battery. This time it was the condensor(capacitor).Does HH have a jinx in store for them? See if we get to the next event.

There was one stationary engine, a collection of mammods and a collection of horticultural hand toos - wheeled cultivators. I saw some cars leaving as I arrived late, but I managed to get some pics that you can see on this site..

Hats off to the drivers and passengers of the Veteran cars for putting on such a good showing.

Well, we made it, but wasn't it wet! There were only about a dozen classic and vintage cars at the vantage point ready to wave the Veterans on; quite a few moderns though. I don't think they even saw us through the stair-rods. There was a Video crew at the top of the Green, most likely doing a David Attenborough underwater scene. The electric car had its pre-arranged stop but the generator wasn't in the right place so they came round to the side of the Green. The geny turned up soon after on a trailer and ran full pelt for nearly an hour charging the batteries. The car then continued its journey. A couple of other vehicles appeared to have stopped but seemed to get started again after an interval although we did see one or two on tailers later.

The Loos in the pub were flooded, not by human endeavour.

One brave chap rode through on a Penny Farthing. I think he was OK with his head above the clouds:)

One group of onlookers put up a gazebo to half its height but chose the lowest point on the green. All of a sudden they were seen pulling up all the pegs and marching with it like a Roman Tustedo to higher ground. they then lit a barbeque under it.

For a 'proper' report you will need to go to the VCC website.

Some members are meeting at Staplefield to watch the VCC run on 1st November. As the Veterans leave London early in the morning we shall assemble at any time from 8 o'clock onwards. Look for the Horsham Historics or  Morris Register West Sussex Noggin sign