You have to realise that these shows aren't interested in valid scientific conclusions as much as they are in entertainment value. I haven't seen the show, but choked flow seems to be a major problem in TV show air cannons. Even with the Mythbusters, their steam cannon was the only one that was really impressive, and it was a complete deathtrap, using a butterfly valve that wasn't even rated for steam.
But I've never seen a show that beats the Mythbusters' better episodes in terms of shear entertainment. They have something that other shows can't replicate, and that lies in the cast of the show.
Smash Lab
I always thought their piano wire cannon was the most impressive, partly because it used a "good" valve.DYI wrote:Even with the Mythbusters, their steam cannon was the only one that was really impressive, and it was a complete deathtrap, using a butterfly valve that wasn't even rated for steam.
Well, I find things like Top Gear, Have I got news for you, or QI far more entertaining - Don't get me wrong, I like Mythbusters, but I can't help but get distracted by all the scientific garbage they sprout.But I've never seen a show that beats the Mythbusters' better episodes in terms of sheer entertainment. They have something that other shows can't replicate, and that lies in the cast of the show.
Does that thing kinda look like a big cat to you?
I like Top Gear too. Have you ever seen the one with the rocket powered Mini?
The fact that the piano wire cannon hissed for several seconds after firing because of how badly the valve and barrel choked flow made it seem rather poor in my opinion. With a bit of air cannon knowledge, imagine the power you could get with a 60' long 1/2" copper barrel. The grappling hook cannon showed at least some improvement, if only for the fact that they suddenly realised the amount of power they had available. Their recoil compensation was a bit lacking though...
The scientific garbage is everywhere; I heard an ad on the radio today for a local place that fills car tyres with nitrogen, talking about how it "doesn't expand and contract with temperature changes like air does". Interesting how they've managed to circumvent the gas laws like that, isn't it?
The fact that the piano wire cannon hissed for several seconds after firing because of how badly the valve and barrel choked flow made it seem rather poor in my opinion. With a bit of air cannon knowledge, imagine the power you could get with a 60' long 1/2" copper barrel. The grappling hook cannon showed at least some improvement, if only for the fact that they suddenly realised the amount of power they had available. Their recoil compensation was a bit lacking though...
The scientific garbage is everywhere; I heard an ad on the radio today for a local place that fills car tyres with nitrogen, talking about how it "doesn't expand and contract with temperature changes like air does". Interesting how they've managed to circumvent the gas laws like that, isn't it?
Spudfiles' resident expert on all things that sail through the air at improbable speeds, trailing an incandescent wake of ionized air, dissociated polymers and metal oxides.
Yes, I've seen the one with the rocket powered mini (got every episode on my external HDD), including the wonderful quote:
May: "This has never been done before."
Hammond: "No, we are in fact at the cutting edge of cocking about."
I fill tyres with tomato soup, it doesn't expand, and it tastes nice.
May: "This has never been done before."
Hammond: "No, we are in fact at the cutting edge of cocking about."
I fill tyres with tomato soup, it doesn't expand, and it tastes nice.
Does that thing kinda look like a big cat to you?
-
clide
- Corporal 3
- Posts: 784
- Joined: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:06 am
- Location: Oklahoma, USA
- Been thanked: 1 time
It's a UK show. As far as I know there aren't any networks in America that show it. It's a shame because it really is a good show despite the anti-American sentiment that comes up occasionally.
Edit: Ah, I guess BBC America shows it, but I think that is a network that comes in the expensive cable/satellite packages. I've never had anything but the cheap ones.
Edit: Ah, I guess BBC America shows it, but I think that is a network that comes in the expensive cable/satellite packages. I've never had anything but the cheap ones.
<a href="http://gbcannon.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://gbcannon.com/pics/misc/pixel.png" border="0"></a>latest update - debut of the cardapult
-
fretmelter
- Private 4
- Posts: 66
- Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 9:34 pm
top gear is sweet....especially when they test kool cars and compare american to uk cars.
but anyway i really dont like smash lab. its basically a crappy mythbusters. All they did was take the science and method part from mythbusters. Then kept all exploding things. OH, and with people really excited to see things blow up and they make themselves sound more intelegent then they really are.
but top gear is a good show
but anyway i really dont like smash lab. its basically a crappy mythbusters. All they did was take the science and method part from mythbusters. Then kept all exploding things. OH, and with people really excited to see things blow up and they make themselves sound more intelegent then they really are.
but top gear is a good show
-
goathunter
- Corporal 2
- Posts: 675
- Joined: Thu Feb 15, 2007 9:20 pm
Can anyone else pick out three obvious problems in this sentence?they test kool cars and compare american to uk cars
Grammar aside,I do agree.
Top Gear has to be the best show to come out of the UK in a very long time.I normally hate BBC, mainly due to the constant need to inhale loudly after every three words(pet peeve of mine).Top Gear has a way of making me forget all about inhaling loudly and keeps me amused.My personal favorites being the Super tractors and Chopped Limo(the Panda was really the best!) episodes.
"Some people wonder all their lives if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem"-Ronald Reagan
"KA BLAAM! Elimination! Lack of education."-Big Mama, Fox and the Hound, Disney
"KA BLAAM! Elimination! Lack of education."-Big Mama, Fox and the Hound, Disney
-
bigbob12345
- Staff Sergeant
- Posts: 1516
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:13 am
- Location: Mercer Island,Washington
I see five problems in the sentence
Ive seen Top gear once(live in america saw it on BBC)and I would have to agree that it is very good probably even better that mythbusters which is one of favorite shows. Smash lab is good but it just doesnt compare to Top Gear or mythbusters it just doesnt have the humor that the others have.
Ive seen Top gear once(live in america saw it on BBC)and I would have to agree that it is very good probably even better that mythbusters which is one of favorite shows. Smash lab is good but it just doesnt compare to Top Gear or mythbusters it just doesnt have the humor that the others have.