James May on the Moon

Didn't watch it, but will be watching it on iPlayer when availible (now?) based on recommendation from a friend/from on here. Sounds good, looking forward to it!

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Just watching one on BBC4, follow on program I think....interesting.

Is that "James May at the edge of space"?

That's the kind of "making of" program, similar but not the same one I think

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Is that "James May at the edge of space"?

That's the kind of "making of" program, similar but not the same one I think

thats the one. Captain Slow has done some very interesting programs.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

thats the one. Captain Slow has done some very interesting programs.

he has, i've got a lot of time for him too, perhaps because we share the same haircut...

[dizzyblonde]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

he has, i've got a lot of time for him too, perhaps because we share the same haircut...

lol. I have a lot of time for his books too......mainly when in the throne room

Yep, good program.

Perhaps one of the better things about the existence of TopGear is that these sorts of programs get made. The James May ones are always worth watching, even Hammond has done a few good ones, whilst taking a break from day time and children's TV.

Originally Posted by fizzwheel

Matt - The U2 wings have titanium skid plates on them and when it lands its drags one wing on the ground till the ground crew prop it up with some temporary wheels that fit into the wing.

+ 1

although technically the skid doesn't actually touch the ground until the aircraft has virtually stopped, even then this is a rarity. when the aircraft flies over the runway it is chased by another pilot in car speaking to the pilot via a radio, it is this pilot in the car that guides the aircraft down and advises the flying pilot when a wing is starting to dip. the majority of landings are successful with the aircarft not dipping/dragging a wing at any point, dolly wheels are re-secured at the end of the runway.

it was a TR-1 not a U-2 by the way

Originally Posted by Geoffrey

+ 1

although technically the skid doesn't actually touch the ground until the aircraft has virtually stopped, even then this is a rarity. when the aircraft flies over the runway it is chased by another pilot in car speaking to the pilot via a radio, it is this pilot in the car that guides the aircraft down and advises the flying pilot when a wing is starting to dip. the majority of landings are successful with the aircarft not dipping/dragging a wing at any point, dolly wheels are re-secured at the end of the runway.

it was a TR-1 not a U-2 by the way

At my most pedantic I could similarly correct you and say the 2 seater would actually have been a TU-2R.

All variants of the U2 though.

Originally Posted by mattSV

Great bit of television, worth every pence of license payers' money

Yep - couldn't agree more. Fantastic telly

Like James May, I too was woken up by my parents to watch the first moon landing. Seems that all my class-mates at school were too as there were some bleary-eyed six-year olds that day. And we all wanted to be astronauts

I saw it on iPlayer last night, very cool. There is also the James May on the edge of space which is a 30 minute program just about the preparation & the U2 flight itself, good watch too.