Massive Speed

Concluding on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine a range of machines designed for speed. In the last episode, he charts the development of attack helicopters from the experimental autogyro of the 1920s to heavily armed military models of the 1970s and 80s.

This week Chris traces the history of one of modern warfare’s most potent weapons: the attack helicopter. But to get under the skin of these fast and stealthy flying devils, Chris first takes a look at the humble autogyro, predecessor of all modern helicopters. He takes a ride in this “little mouse of a machine” to find out how such a ground-breaking design was made possible.

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine a range of machines designed for speed. In this instalment, Chris takes to the water to trace the evolution of the warship, from the cannon-firing galleons of the mid-17th century to modern, stealthy lightweight vessels, packed with firepower and gadgets.

“It takes a lot of power and good design to get something this massive moving at all,” says Chris of the modern warship. “But going that little bit faster than the enemy can be the difference between life and death.” From the mid-1600s to Lord Nelson’s Victory in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, all battles at sea were waged between wooden cannon-firing sailing boats, known as ‘ships of the line’ owing to their formation during manoeuvres. Despite being made of wood, these ships still weighed thousands of tonnes and needed to employ enormous sails to harness the power of the wind to travel at speed.

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine a range of machines designed for speed. This week, Chris turns his attention to motorcycles, tracing their evolution from the classic Rudge Multi of 1914 to the modern-day superbike, capable of speeds approaching 200mph.

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine a range of machines designed for speed. Tonight, he turns his attention to armoured vehicles, tracing their evolution from the early Rolls-Royce models of World War I, through the high-speed tanks of World War II, up to the modern-day bomb-proof presidential limousine capable of speeds of over 200kph.

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine the evolution of machines designed for speed. Tonight, he focuses on sports cars, tracing their history from the Bugatti Type 23 of the early 20th century, to its modern-day equivalent, capable of reaching 254mph.

“Sports cars –they’re fast, they’re agile and most of all, they’re fun,” says Chris Barrie. “But where did sports cars come from?” In tonight’s programme, Chris explores how these highly desirable machines have developed from their origins in motor racing at the beginning of the 20th century, to the supercars of today. His first stop is the Prescott Speed Hill Climb in England –a racing course dedicated to the work of the man who created sports cars as they are known today.

massive speed
powerboats (5/10)

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine the evolution of machines designed for speed. Tonight, he turns his attention to the dangerous world of powerboats, focusing on early stepped-hull boats, record-breaking threepoint hydroplanes and modern racing catamarans.

massive speed
4x4 (4/10)

Continuing on Five this week is the series that sees Chris Barrie examine the evolution of machines designed for speed. Tonight, Chris turns his attention to four-wheel-drive vehicles, focusing on off-road military machines, pioneering rally cars and modern-day super cars.

“This is how we imagine four-wheel drive: as a means of getting across the roughest terrain in any weather,” says Chris Barrie. “But four-wheel drive isn’t just about mud –it’s also about speed!” In tonight’s programme, Chris explores how fourwheel-drive technology has revolutionised the pursuit of speed on land.

massive speed
record-breaking trains (3/10)

Continuing on Five this week is the series that delves into the high-octane world of speed machines. Tonight, presenter Chris Barrie explores some of his favourite fast trains, starting with the elegant steam engine City of Truroand finishing with a breathtaking ride on a Maglev test train in Germany.

Following his series ‘Massive Engines’ and ‘Massive Machines’, actor Chris Barrie (‘Red Dwarf’) turns his attention to the evolution of machines designed for speed. Each week, he follows the evolution of a specific type of machine by explaining its design and test-driving the vehicle in question. He also salutes the men and women who created these mechanical marvels and unravels the myths that surround them.

massive speed
hot rods (2/10)

Continuing on Five this week is the series that delves into the high-octane world of speed machines. Tonight, presenter Chris Barrie takes a breathtaking ride through the history of hot rods, beginning with 1940s Californian street cars and climaxing with a terrifying ride in a modern dragster.

Following his series ‘Massive Engines’ and ‘Massive Machines’, actor Chris Barrie (‘Red Dwarf’) turns his attention to the evolution of machines designed for one purpose only. Whether it be on road or rails, through mud, water or air, Chris examines the achievements of designers and engineers who have worked tirelessly in pursuit of speed.

In each episode, Chris follows the evolution of a specific type of machine, by explaining its design and test-driving the vehicle in question. He also salutes the men and women who created these mechanical marvels, and unravels the myths and legends that surround them.