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♪
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00:00:03,437 --> 00:00:05,971
Chad zdenek:
A giant hovercraft--
3
00:00:05,973 --> 00:00:09,241
Capable of transporting
400 passengers
4
00:00:09,243 --> 00:00:11,176
And their cars,
5
00:00:11,178 --> 00:00:13,378
All on just a cushion of air,
6
00:00:13,381 --> 00:00:15,981
Over land or sea,
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00:00:15,983 --> 00:00:19,184
Designed by a madcap
british inventor
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00:00:19,186 --> 00:00:21,053
Experimenting
with a hairdryer,
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00:00:21,055 --> 00:00:24,322
Then supersized
by engineering genius
10
00:00:24,325 --> 00:00:26,592
To become one
of the 20th century's
11
00:00:26,660 --> 00:00:29,127
Most unusual machines.
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00:00:29,130 --> 00:00:30,662
Can you imagine
13
00:00:30,731 --> 00:00:33,265
Something this big traveling
at over 70 miles an hour,
14
00:00:33,267 --> 00:00:36,735
With hundreds of people on board
and their cars?
15
00:00:36,737 --> 00:00:39,004
Now this extraordinary vessel
16
00:00:39,073 --> 00:00:41,673
Has reached the end of its life.
17
00:00:41,675 --> 00:00:45,044
Salvage teams are standing by,
ready to tear it apart.
18
00:00:47,148 --> 00:00:48,680
This is gonna be awesome!
19
00:00:48,749 --> 00:00:51,417
[crunching]
20
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As they strip it back,
21
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I'll get up close and hands on
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00:00:56,090 --> 00:00:59,424
To uncover the five
engineering innovations
23
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That made it
a giant of its time...
24
00:01:02,430 --> 00:01:05,431
And reveal
how the hovercraft revolution
25
00:01:05,499 --> 00:01:08,434
Finally ground to a halt,
26
00:01:08,502 --> 00:01:11,236
Leaving its technology
to the modern military.
27
00:01:13,707 --> 00:01:15,040
Yeah!
28
00:01:15,042 --> 00:01:16,442
Ha ha ha ha!
29
00:01:20,514 --> 00:01:22,247
I'm chad zdenek.
30
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I spent seven years building
rocket engines for nasa.
31
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Now I'm taking things apart,
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00:01:30,057 --> 00:01:32,190
Breaking down
giants of engineering
33
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Piece by piece
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So I can discover what made them
legends of their time.
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♪
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Portsmouth, on the southern
coast of England.
37
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The final resting place
38
00:01:51,145 --> 00:01:54,012
Of what were once the world's
biggest hovercraft.
39
00:01:54,081 --> 00:02:03,222
♪
40
00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:05,224
I helped put shuttles
into space,
41
00:02:05,292 --> 00:02:07,159
I've seen all kinds
of incredible engineering
42
00:02:07,161 --> 00:02:08,960
Throughout my career.
43
00:02:08,963 --> 00:02:12,430
But this is my first chance
to work on a hovercraft.
44
00:02:12,433 --> 00:02:14,099
Its engineers had a vision
45
00:02:14,101 --> 00:02:16,635
For a completely new
mode of transport--
46
00:02:16,703 --> 00:02:20,105
Part boat, part plane,
part helicopter...
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00:02:20,107 --> 00:02:21,640
And all genius.
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00:02:21,642 --> 00:02:24,109
I've always wanted to know
how they did it.
49
00:02:24,111 --> 00:02:25,777
And that's why I'm so excited
50
00:02:25,846 --> 00:02:29,514
To finally get a chance to work
inside the biggest in the world.
51
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There they are,
and they're giant!
52
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Look at the size of them!
53
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The princess anne
and the princess margaret
54
00:02:37,324 --> 00:02:41,660
Are all that's left of a fleet
of six huge hovercraft.
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00:02:41,662 --> 00:02:45,864
They once each ferried
400 passengers and their cars
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00:02:45,933 --> 00:02:49,801
30 miles across
the english channel to France.
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♪
58
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Film narrator: Srn4--
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A new transportation system
for a new world.
60
00:03:00,347 --> 00:03:03,415
Chad: These craft
were launched in 1969
61
00:03:03,483 --> 00:03:05,684
To do something incredible--
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00:03:05,686 --> 00:03:07,886
Glide from land onto the sea.
63
00:03:10,090 --> 00:03:12,290
They were unlike
anything ever seen,
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00:03:12,293 --> 00:03:15,327
And right away, they captured
the public's imagination.
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00:03:17,097 --> 00:03:19,364
Film narrator: Bringing new
standards of speed and comfort,
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00:03:19,366 --> 00:03:21,366
The craft operate
day in, day out,
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00:03:21,368 --> 00:03:24,236
40-minute schedules
across the english channel,
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00:03:24,304 --> 00:03:27,039
And suddenly the channel
is half as wide.
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00:03:29,443 --> 00:03:32,644
♪
70
00:03:32,646 --> 00:03:38,183
Chad: But in 2000, both vessels
were decommissioned.
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00:03:38,185 --> 00:03:40,518
That left only a handful
of passenger hovercraft
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00:03:40,521 --> 00:03:42,287
Working anywhere in the world.
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00:03:44,124 --> 00:03:45,657
And since then,
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00:03:45,726 --> 00:03:49,995
These two princesses
have been slowly rotting away.
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00:03:50,063 --> 00:03:53,465
Now they face
very different fates.
76
00:03:53,533 --> 00:03:55,267
The anne will be preserved
77
00:03:55,269 --> 00:03:59,071
And eventually
displayed in a museum.
78
00:03:59,139 --> 00:04:02,407
But thanks to the soaring demand
for recycled metals,
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00:04:02,409 --> 00:04:05,410
The margaret's days
are truly over.
80
00:04:05,412 --> 00:04:08,280
Now, the princess margaret
is going to be scrapped,
81
00:04:08,282 --> 00:04:10,616
And her most valuable parts
are going to be reused
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00:04:10,684 --> 00:04:13,351
To preserve her sister,
the princess anne.
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00:04:13,354 --> 00:04:16,622
The rest is going to be
melted down and recycled.
84
00:04:16,690 --> 00:04:20,558
♪
85
00:04:20,561 --> 00:04:22,294
So here's my plan.
86
00:04:22,296 --> 00:04:24,229
Over the next five days,
87
00:04:24,231 --> 00:04:27,966
I'm going to help the team
tear her apart.
88
00:04:28,035 --> 00:04:30,969
While they salvage what they can
to sell for recycling,
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00:04:31,038 --> 00:04:34,239
I'm gonna reveal the five
ingenious pieces of engineering
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00:04:34,241 --> 00:04:35,640
That made these craft
91
00:04:35,643 --> 00:04:39,177
The mighty machines
they once were:
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00:04:39,179 --> 00:04:41,046
The incredible rubber skirt,
93
00:04:41,048 --> 00:04:43,181
800 feet long;
94
00:04:43,250 --> 00:04:47,585
The giant fans that
lifted over 300 tons;
95
00:04:47,588 --> 00:04:51,590
The huge propellers
that broke the sound barrier;
96
00:04:51,658 --> 00:04:55,060
Aviation's biggest drive shaft;
97
00:04:55,128 --> 00:04:59,064
And the hull design that made
the margaret unsinkable.
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00:05:00,668 --> 00:05:01,933
Hey, I'm chad.
99
00:05:01,935 --> 00:05:03,268
Lewis: Hello, I'm lewis.
100
00:05:03,270 --> 00:05:04,603
Chad: Lewis, what are you
planning on doing?
101
00:05:04,671 --> 00:05:06,404
Lewis: Now that the machine
is here on site,
102
00:05:06,407 --> 00:05:08,006
We're going to be
lowering down the front door,
103
00:05:08,075 --> 00:05:09,207
And then you'll be able
to get inside.
104
00:05:09,209 --> 00:05:10,875
Chad: Ok.
105
00:05:10,878 --> 00:05:12,143
Lewis: And then we're gonna
pull back some of this skirt
106
00:05:12,146 --> 00:05:13,745
So we can see
what's underneath there.
107
00:05:13,814 --> 00:05:15,347
We're looking to get a lot
of scrap metal from the job,
108
00:05:15,349 --> 00:05:17,082
A lot of salvage from the job.
109
00:05:17,084 --> 00:05:19,017
We'll start soft-stripping
inside the cabins as well,
110
00:05:19,019 --> 00:05:19,951
Removing chairs...
111
00:05:20,020 --> 00:05:21,086
Chad: Ok.
112
00:05:21,088 --> 00:05:22,354
Lewis: ...Loose furnishings--
113
00:05:22,422 --> 00:05:23,621
Anything basically
that's not metal,
114
00:05:23,624 --> 00:05:24,956
We can get it out now--
chad: Ok.
115
00:05:25,025 --> 00:05:26,425
Lewis: To make it easier
for the excavator
116
00:05:26,493 --> 00:05:27,425
When doing the demolition.
117
00:05:27,428 --> 00:05:28,560
Chad: Yeah.
118
00:05:28,628 --> 00:05:32,097
First up,
the giant rubber skirt.
119
00:05:32,099 --> 00:05:34,032
Turn the key on a hovercraft,
120
00:05:34,101 --> 00:05:36,168
And fans drive air
underneath it,
121
00:05:36,236 --> 00:05:38,236
Creating lift.
122
00:05:38,305 --> 00:05:41,173
Early craft were open
around the sides.
123
00:05:41,241 --> 00:05:44,109
So the air quickly escaped,
limiting its power.
124
00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:50,048
To build a hovercraft
capable of heavy lifting,
125
00:05:50,050 --> 00:05:53,051
Engineers needed
to contain that air.
126
00:05:53,120 --> 00:05:55,153
Their answer
was a rubber skirt.
127
00:05:58,392 --> 00:05:59,924
It was a simple idea
128
00:05:59,927 --> 00:06:03,195
That they hoped would do
something extraordinary--
129
00:06:03,263 --> 00:06:08,633
Trap air to lift a 300-ton craft
12 feet off the ground.
130
00:06:13,140 --> 00:06:17,609
But getting this concept to work
was a serious challenge.
131
00:06:17,611 --> 00:06:20,011
So before the demolition team
shred the skirt
132
00:06:20,080 --> 00:06:22,013
To sell for recycling,
133
00:06:22,082 --> 00:06:25,851
I want to get inside and see how
the engineering actually works.
134
00:06:29,089 --> 00:06:33,091
Warwick jacobs has worked
with hovercraft all his life,
135
00:06:33,093 --> 00:06:35,827
And he's agreed to tell me
all the trade secrets.
136
00:06:35,829 --> 00:06:40,098
♪
137
00:06:40,100 --> 00:06:43,034
Chad: All right, warwick,
you ready for this?
138
00:06:43,036 --> 00:06:45,303
Warwick: No, 'cause as soon
as you chop that skirt off,
139
00:06:45,305 --> 00:06:47,038
It ceases to be a hovercraft.
140
00:06:47,107 --> 00:06:48,706
Chad: Yeah.
141
00:06:48,709 --> 00:06:50,041
Warwick: Which is the beginning
of the end, isn't it?
142
00:06:50,110 --> 00:06:51,443
Chad: I know
it's emotional for you,
143
00:06:51,511 --> 00:06:52,644
But we've got to do it.
144
00:06:52,712 --> 00:06:53,979
Warwick: Yep.
145
00:06:54,047 --> 00:06:59,951
[buzzing]
146
00:07:01,988 --> 00:07:03,188
There you go.
147
00:07:03,256 --> 00:07:05,323
Now, that's not been seen
for 20 years.
148
00:07:05,325 --> 00:07:07,192
Chad: There's another skirt!
149
00:07:07,260 --> 00:07:10,929
This next layer of rubber
is a giant inner skirt.
150
00:07:10,997 --> 00:07:15,534
Together, they form a tube that
channels air around the craft
151
00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:21,005
And into a huge central space
known as the plenum chamber.
152
00:07:21,008 --> 00:07:23,141
So this is like a giant balloon,
if you will, on this side...
153
00:07:23,210 --> 00:07:24,542
Warwick: It is, yeah.
154
00:07:24,545 --> 00:07:25,877
Chad: ...And then the air
flows in that way.
155
00:07:25,879 --> 00:07:27,278
Warwick: Yeah, and it builds up,
changes pressure
156
00:07:27,281 --> 00:07:28,947
As it pushes down
through those holes.
157
00:07:28,949 --> 00:07:30,615
So the same again for you, chad.
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00:07:30,684 --> 00:07:32,250
Cut the next bit,
and then we're in.
159
00:07:34,288 --> 00:07:40,091
[buzzing]
160
00:07:41,161 --> 00:07:43,094
Chad: There we go.
161
00:07:43,096 --> 00:07:44,162
There's a doormat for you.
162
00:07:44,164 --> 00:07:45,030
Warwick:
And you're in now, yeah.
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00:07:47,167 --> 00:07:49,033
Chad: Oh, wow!
164
00:07:49,036 --> 00:07:51,169
Look at this.
165
00:07:51,171 --> 00:07:53,171
Geez.
166
00:07:53,173 --> 00:07:56,107
It's getting
a little tight in here,
167
00:07:56,109 --> 00:07:57,676
Real tight and real dirty.
168
00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:01,580
It's small for me under here,
169
00:08:01,648 --> 00:08:04,182
But there's a lot of space
on the underside.
170
00:08:04,184 --> 00:08:07,986
This whole thing looks like
it's layered with the skirt
171
00:08:08,054 --> 00:08:09,320
So that when it lifts up,
172
00:08:09,323 --> 00:08:12,591
That's how we get
12 feet higher.
173
00:08:12,659 --> 00:08:14,659
I've cut through
both walls of the tube,
174
00:08:14,661 --> 00:08:17,929
And right now
I'm in the plenum chamber.
175
00:08:17,998 --> 00:08:22,100
This is the empty space
at the heart of any hovercraft.
176
00:08:25,672 --> 00:08:28,940
Lift fans
forced air into the skirt,
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00:08:29,009 --> 00:08:29,908
Which inflated.
178
00:08:33,213 --> 00:08:34,679
Holes in its inner wall
179
00:08:34,681 --> 00:08:38,149
Channeled air
into the plenum chamber,
180
00:08:38,218 --> 00:08:40,418
Where it was trapped
by the layers of rubber.
181
00:08:41,688 --> 00:08:44,956
A cushion of
high-pressure air built up,
182
00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:49,160
Lifting the 300-ton
princess margaret off the ground
183
00:08:49,162 --> 00:08:51,229
Or the water.
184
00:08:51,231 --> 00:08:53,365
It was an incredible
breakthrough,
185
00:08:53,433 --> 00:08:56,301
But it came
with an unexpected price.
186
00:08:56,303 --> 00:08:58,236
The hovercraft was so fast
187
00:08:58,305 --> 00:09:00,638
That the impact of the waves
on the rubber
188
00:09:00,641 --> 00:09:02,507
Actually tore the skirt,
189
00:09:02,509 --> 00:09:05,710
And that meant a lot
of expensive maintenance.
190
00:09:05,779 --> 00:09:07,645
Warwick: Every night
the craft would go on jacks
191
00:09:07,648 --> 00:09:09,447
That would lift
the whole craft up.
192
00:09:09,449 --> 00:09:11,316
One craft a night.
193
00:09:11,318 --> 00:09:14,219
Chad: The jacks lifted the craft
clear off the ground...
194
00:09:17,457 --> 00:09:19,524
Leaving the skirt hanging free
195
00:09:19,593 --> 00:09:20,892
And ready for repair.
196
00:09:23,196 --> 00:09:24,796
Warwick: All night long,
197
00:09:24,798 --> 00:09:28,533
15 guys would be there
with their spanners and saws,
198
00:09:28,602 --> 00:09:30,335
Repairing the skirts
199
00:09:30,403 --> 00:09:32,003
And fixing it,
ready for the next day,
200
00:09:32,005 --> 00:09:33,605
Because with a dodgy skirt,
201
00:09:33,673 --> 00:09:35,607
Performance goes down
pretty quick.
202
00:09:37,010 --> 00:09:39,344
Chad: The skirt
was hundreds of feet long,
203
00:09:39,412 --> 00:09:43,214
And it all had to be kept
in perfect condition.
204
00:09:43,216 --> 00:09:44,482
So, how many feet of skirt
do we have?
205
00:09:44,484 --> 00:09:47,151
Warwick:
It's 185 foot long each side,
206
00:09:47,154 --> 00:09:48,954
Inside and outside,
207
00:09:49,022 --> 00:09:51,356
So you've probably got
800 feet of skirt,
208
00:09:51,358 --> 00:09:53,224
End to end there.
209
00:09:53,293 --> 00:09:57,895
Chad: Maintaining the skirt cost
millions of dollars every year.
210
00:09:57,898 --> 00:10:01,099
But today, the salvage team
is hoping to make money
211
00:10:01,101 --> 00:10:03,701
By recycling it.
212
00:10:03,704 --> 00:10:13,979
♪
213
00:10:14,047 --> 00:10:21,319
♪
214
00:10:21,321 --> 00:10:24,522
This skirt is about
three-eighths-of-an-inch-thick
215
00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:26,057
Neoprene rubber.
216
00:10:26,126 --> 00:10:27,992
And this excavator
is tearing it apart
217
00:10:27,995 --> 00:10:29,327
Like it's paper.
218
00:10:29,329 --> 00:10:30,595
I gotta give it a shot.
219
00:10:30,664 --> 00:10:34,265
♪
220
00:10:34,267 --> 00:10:37,068
All right, enough of
the reciprocating saw.
221
00:10:37,070 --> 00:10:39,204
Now I'm ready to do some work.
222
00:10:39,272 --> 00:10:40,738
This is gonna be awesome.
223
00:10:40,741 --> 00:10:46,210
♪
224
00:10:46,213 --> 00:10:49,014
This excavator can really shred.
225
00:10:49,082 --> 00:10:50,281
But for this job,
226
00:10:50,283 --> 00:10:53,218
It's as much about precision
as power.
227
00:10:53,286 --> 00:10:55,420
That's because
when it comes to recycling,
228
00:10:55,422 --> 00:10:58,356
It's important
to separate your materials.
229
00:10:58,358 --> 00:11:00,458
Otherwise
you get paid less for them.
230
00:11:02,162 --> 00:11:03,695
So you can see,
231
00:11:03,697 --> 00:11:06,297
We've actually ripped off
all of the hinges along the way,
232
00:11:06,299 --> 00:11:07,966
And the reason why
233
00:11:08,034 --> 00:11:10,301
Is because if there's any rubber
that's mixed in with the metal,
234
00:11:10,303 --> 00:11:13,037
Our recycling rates
are going to be a lot lower.
235
00:11:13,040 --> 00:11:14,239
So it's a meticulous job,
236
00:11:14,307 --> 00:11:15,840
And it's taking
quite a long time,
237
00:11:15,842 --> 00:11:18,643
But it's going to pay off
big time for us in the end.
238
00:11:18,645 --> 00:11:25,650
♪
239
00:11:25,719 --> 00:11:29,788
Finally! We've made
a 30-ton pile of rubber.
240
00:11:29,856 --> 00:11:32,790
The plan now is
to shred it and sell it
241
00:11:32,793 --> 00:11:35,460
So it can be used for
the springy floor covering
242
00:11:35,462 --> 00:11:38,263
Parents will recognize
from kids' playgrounds.
243
00:11:41,001 --> 00:11:43,534
But the skirt
just held the air in.
244
00:11:43,537 --> 00:11:45,203
The next piece of engineering
245
00:11:45,205 --> 00:11:49,006
Is what really got this thing
off the ground.
246
00:11:49,009 --> 00:11:51,876
I bet I could crawl in
through those blades.
247
00:11:55,081 --> 00:11:57,949
We've just ripped
the 800-foot rubber skirt
248
00:11:57,951 --> 00:12:00,819
Off the princess margaret
hovercraft.
249
00:12:00,887 --> 00:12:03,154
But that was
only part of the system
250
00:12:03,223 --> 00:12:05,890
That allowed
this thing to hover.
251
00:12:05,892 --> 00:12:09,027
It's day two.
Time to take a look at the fans.
252
00:12:09,095 --> 00:12:11,029
Just how big did they need to be
253
00:12:11,097 --> 00:12:13,531
To lift this beast
into the air?
254
00:12:14,968 --> 00:12:16,768
There are four fans.
255
00:12:16,836 --> 00:12:18,836
But getting to them is tricky.
256
00:12:18,839 --> 00:12:20,905
We have to cut through
the side of the hovercraft
257
00:12:20,907 --> 00:12:22,774
And don't want to damage
the interior
258
00:12:22,776 --> 00:12:26,310
Before we've had a chance
to salvage the seats.
259
00:12:26,313 --> 00:12:29,180
Hovercraft have kind of
a cult following around here,
260
00:12:29,249 --> 00:12:32,650
And these seats could actually
sell to collectors at auction.
261
00:12:34,721 --> 00:12:38,122
If you could give me a cut
right down this section...
262
00:12:38,125 --> 00:12:39,457
Roy: No problem at all.
263
00:12:39,526 --> 00:12:41,926
Chad: If we can take
all this out along here,
264
00:12:41,928 --> 00:12:43,261
All the way to this section.
265
00:12:43,263 --> 00:12:44,662
Roy: Yeah.
266
00:12:44,664 --> 00:12:46,330
Chad: What I'm worried about
is the cabin.
267
00:12:46,333 --> 00:12:48,199
We still gotta take
those seats out inside.
268
00:12:48,268 --> 00:12:49,868
So if you're able to do this
269
00:12:49,936 --> 00:12:52,270
Without affecting
the floor of the cabin
270
00:12:52,338 --> 00:12:53,738
So we can keep working there...
271
00:12:53,740 --> 00:12:56,007
Roy: It shouldn't
affect the structure
272
00:12:56,075 --> 00:12:57,408
Of the hovercraft at all.
273
00:12:57,410 --> 00:12:58,409
Chad: Ok.
274
00:12:58,411 --> 00:13:00,745
♪
275
00:13:00,814 --> 00:13:03,148
Roy has a special machine
for this job.
276
00:13:03,216 --> 00:13:06,818
It's a set of hydraulic jaws...
277
00:13:06,886 --> 00:13:10,087
With a surprisingly
delicate bite.
278
00:13:10,090 --> 00:13:12,757
It's amazing
how accurate he can be
279
00:13:12,826 --> 00:13:14,826
With such a huge machine.
280
00:13:14,894 --> 00:13:15,893
Man: Good job, roy.
281
00:13:15,896 --> 00:13:17,729
Chad: Yeah, it's great.
282
00:13:19,899 --> 00:13:21,699
It's amazing to have
this kind of a view
283
00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:23,901
On a giant machine like this.
284
00:13:23,904 --> 00:13:25,770
Now I can climb
right into the guts
285
00:13:25,839 --> 00:13:27,238
Of this huge hovercraft.
286
00:13:27,307 --> 00:13:29,841
I bet I could crawl in
through those blades
287
00:13:29,843 --> 00:13:31,042
And get a closer look.
288
00:13:31,044 --> 00:13:37,982
♪
289
00:13:38,051 --> 00:13:39,784
This is not
where you'd want to be
290
00:13:39,786 --> 00:13:41,919
When the engines start.
291
00:13:41,922 --> 00:13:43,721
I'd be sliced and diced.
292
00:13:46,593 --> 00:13:49,861
Oh. Wow!
293
00:13:49,863 --> 00:13:51,462
This is a big inlet.
294
00:13:53,667 --> 00:13:56,067
I'm in a giant fan.
295
00:13:56,135 --> 00:14:00,204
It's mounted not vertically,
but horizontally.
296
00:14:00,207 --> 00:14:02,273
It sucks in
thousands of tons of air
297
00:14:02,275 --> 00:14:04,609
Through this giant inlet
298
00:14:04,611 --> 00:14:06,611
And forces it down
through the skirt
299
00:14:06,679 --> 00:14:09,947
And into
the plenum chamber below.
300
00:14:09,950 --> 00:14:12,550
This is what made
the hovercraft hover.
301
00:14:12,552 --> 00:14:18,823
♪
302
00:14:18,825 --> 00:14:21,159
Aviation had
the wright brothers;
303
00:14:21,227 --> 00:14:24,495
Hovercraft had
sir christopher cockerell.
304
00:14:24,497 --> 00:14:25,897
He was the british inventor
305
00:14:25,899 --> 00:14:27,999
Behind this inspired piece
of engineering.
306
00:14:31,037 --> 00:14:33,170
Cockerell noticed
how water creates friction
307
00:14:33,173 --> 00:14:34,972
Against the hull of a boat,
308
00:14:34,975 --> 00:14:36,908
Slowing the vessel down,
309
00:14:36,910 --> 00:14:39,644
And he came up
with an extraordinary solution.
310
00:14:39,712 --> 00:14:41,646
Christopher cockerell:
You begin to ask yourself,
311
00:14:41,714 --> 00:14:43,180
Well, now is there a way
around this?
312
00:14:43,183 --> 00:14:44,515
One day, one thought,
313
00:14:44,517 --> 00:14:46,651
Well, let's see
how it would work out
314
00:14:46,719 --> 00:14:48,853
If one used air
instead of water.
315
00:14:48,855 --> 00:14:53,457
Chad: Cockerell experimented
with hair dryers and tin cans...
316
00:14:53,460 --> 00:14:56,261
Before designing a prototype,
317
00:14:56,329 --> 00:14:58,863
Building a scale model,
318
00:14:58,865 --> 00:15:01,532
And then, in 1959,
319
00:15:01,534 --> 00:15:03,935
Unveiling
his revolutionary craft
320
00:15:03,937 --> 00:15:05,370
To a stunned public.
321
00:15:09,475 --> 00:15:11,542
Cockerell's
flying saucer prototype
322
00:15:11,611 --> 00:15:13,745
Had just one fan.
323
00:15:13,813 --> 00:15:16,280
But the princess margaret
has four,
324
00:15:16,283 --> 00:15:18,416
And they're enormous.
325
00:15:18,418 --> 00:15:22,120
Roy is tearing one out
so I can take a closer look.
326
00:15:24,424 --> 00:15:26,758
It's a really simple
piece of engineering--
327
00:15:26,826 --> 00:15:29,560
Just wood
covered in sheet metal.
328
00:15:29,629 --> 00:15:32,563
So, how do four of these
very basic-looking fans
329
00:15:32,632 --> 00:15:34,966
Lift a vessel
like the princess margaret?
330
00:15:35,034 --> 00:15:38,436
♪
331
00:15:38,438 --> 00:15:41,973
Each of the four fans
is 12 feet wide
332
00:15:42,041 --> 00:15:45,777
And could spin
at over 400 miles an hour.
333
00:15:45,845 --> 00:15:48,779
That was fast enough
to fill the enormous skirt
334
00:15:48,782 --> 00:15:51,382
In just six seconds...
335
00:15:51,451 --> 00:15:52,850
And create the air cushion
336
00:15:52,852 --> 00:15:57,655
That made the 300-ton
princess margaret hover.
337
00:15:57,724 --> 00:15:59,256
It solved the very problem
338
00:15:59,259 --> 00:16:03,060
That had driven cockerell
to invent the hovercraft.
339
00:16:03,063 --> 00:16:07,131
The margaret didn't have to drag
its bulk through the water.
340
00:16:07,200 --> 00:16:10,267
Instead,
it could fly over the top,
341
00:16:10,270 --> 00:16:12,770
Creating almost
no surface friction.
342
00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:18,542
Film narrator: The srn4 rises up
on its 8-foot-high skirt
343
00:16:18,545 --> 00:16:21,545
And glides down the ramp,
across the sand,
344
00:16:21,548 --> 00:16:25,282
And begins
its 40-minute hover to France.
345
00:16:25,285 --> 00:16:27,818
Chad: Like the seats,
these fans could be popular
346
00:16:27,821 --> 00:16:30,821
With the hovercraft fanatics
around here.
347
00:16:30,824 --> 00:16:34,225
So they'll be put up for sale
at a collectors' auction.
348
00:16:34,293 --> 00:16:35,626
But if they don't sell,
349
00:16:35,695 --> 00:16:38,496
They'll have to be
scrapped instead.
350
00:16:38,498 --> 00:16:40,631
Two days in, and we've removed
351
00:16:40,633 --> 00:16:43,834
The hovercraft's
huge rubber skirt
352
00:16:43,837 --> 00:16:46,637
And its four giant lift fans.
353
00:16:46,706 --> 00:16:48,239
On their own,
354
00:16:48,241 --> 00:16:50,641
These are two really simple
pieces of technology.
355
00:16:50,643 --> 00:16:53,378
But they show that
sometimes in engineering
356
00:16:53,446 --> 00:16:57,982
The most complicated problem
needs the simplest solution.
357
00:16:57,984 --> 00:16:59,316
What amazes me
358
00:16:59,319 --> 00:17:02,787
Is cockerell's ingenuity
in combining them both.
359
00:17:02,855 --> 00:17:05,123
He did what nobody
thought was possible--
360
00:17:05,191 --> 00:17:08,926
Keeping 300 tons of hovercraft
floating on air.
361
00:17:08,995 --> 00:17:11,328
And to me, that's genius.
362
00:17:11,331 --> 00:17:14,932
♪
363
00:17:15,001 --> 00:17:18,603
Cockerell had unveiled
his invention to the world.
364
00:17:18,671 --> 00:17:22,807
Now he had to prove it could be
put to commercial use.
365
00:17:22,875 --> 00:17:25,743
So he set himself
a bold challenge--
366
00:17:25,812 --> 00:17:27,545
To make the 30-mile journey
367
00:17:27,613 --> 00:17:29,680
From calais in France
368
00:17:29,682 --> 00:17:32,817
Across the english channel
to dover,
369
00:17:32,885 --> 00:17:39,890
Using his prototype srn1,
the world's first hovercraft.
370
00:17:39,893 --> 00:17:45,029
On July 25, 1959, cockerell
set out to make history.
371
00:17:45,098 --> 00:17:47,565
The crossing took two hours.
372
00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:50,234
But the moment the vessel
slid onto the beach in England,
373
00:17:50,303 --> 00:17:54,772
A legend of transportation
was born.
374
00:17:54,774 --> 00:17:57,041
Film narrator:
Although it was only 6:50 a.M.,
375
00:17:57,043 --> 00:18:00,311
People had gathered
in large numbers to welcome her.
376
00:18:00,379 --> 00:18:03,781
The principle of hovercraft
had been abundantly proved.
377
00:18:03,850 --> 00:18:06,117
The small prototype
had turned the page
378
00:18:06,185 --> 00:18:08,186
To a new chapter
in modern transport.
379
00:18:12,792 --> 00:18:16,727
Chad: Cockerell's success
inspired a new vision.
380
00:18:16,729 --> 00:18:19,063
If he could
supersize his design
381
00:18:19,065 --> 00:18:22,333
To offer greater power
and more lift,
382
00:18:22,401 --> 00:18:25,336
Then he could build
a giant hovercraft.
383
00:18:25,404 --> 00:18:27,671
It could carry more cargo,
384
00:18:27,674 --> 00:18:30,208
Have enough seats
to serve the masses,
385
00:18:30,276 --> 00:18:31,876
And connect britain
to mainland europe
386
00:18:31,878 --> 00:18:33,211
In just minutes.
387
00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:36,614
♪
388
00:18:36,616 --> 00:18:40,218
Ten years later, in 1969,
389
00:18:40,286 --> 00:18:43,020
Cockerell launched
the princess margaret.
390
00:18:43,089 --> 00:18:45,089
For the next three decades,
391
00:18:45,091 --> 00:18:47,158
This would be the world's
biggest hovercraft.
392
00:18:47,226 --> 00:18:51,362
♪
393
00:18:51,364 --> 00:18:54,498
Almost everything about it
was a record-breaker,
394
00:18:54,501 --> 00:18:57,535
Like the four giant propellers
that provided thrust.
395
00:18:59,906 --> 00:19:01,238
It's day three,
396
00:19:01,241 --> 00:19:02,907
And these are
the next innovation
397
00:19:02,909 --> 00:19:04,942
I want to explore up close.
398
00:19:07,580 --> 00:19:09,313
At 21 feet in diameter,
399
00:19:09,382 --> 00:19:11,315
These props
still hold the record
400
00:19:11,384 --> 00:19:13,918
For being the world's largest
propeller blades.
401
00:19:13,920 --> 00:19:15,386
And they had to be
402
00:19:15,388 --> 00:19:18,589
To propel 300 tons of hovercraft
across the channel
403
00:19:18,658 --> 00:19:21,192
At speeds of up to
60 miles an hour.
404
00:19:21,260 --> 00:19:29,800
♪
405
00:19:29,802 --> 00:19:31,135
Wow!
406
00:19:31,204 --> 00:19:32,637
These are huge!
407
00:19:35,275 --> 00:19:37,208
That's a lot of propeller blade.
408
00:19:38,878 --> 00:19:40,745
These props may be wide,
409
00:19:40,813 --> 00:19:42,813
But their lifespan was short.
410
00:19:42,815 --> 00:19:45,950
They were vulnerable
to damage from debris
411
00:19:46,018 --> 00:19:47,818
And were designed to be replaced
412
00:19:47,820 --> 00:19:51,956
After just
5,000 hours of service.
413
00:19:51,958 --> 00:19:54,892
That meant the princess margaret
needed a new set
414
00:19:54,894 --> 00:19:57,561
Every two years.
415
00:19:57,564 --> 00:19:59,964
And they didn't come cheap.
416
00:20:00,032 --> 00:20:02,700
These blades
were last made in 1999.
417
00:20:02,702 --> 00:20:06,037
A set of four propellers
took over a year to make
418
00:20:06,105 --> 00:20:07,838
And cost a million dollars.
419
00:20:07,907 --> 00:20:09,140
Unbelievable!
420
00:20:10,777 --> 00:20:16,047
The props were made of aluminum,
so they were light and strong.
421
00:20:16,115 --> 00:20:20,051
Today, aluminum is valuable
as a recycled material,
422
00:20:20,119 --> 00:20:22,786
But this propeller
won't be recycled.
423
00:20:22,789 --> 00:20:29,660
♪
424
00:20:29,662 --> 00:20:30,861
Can you, uh...
425
00:20:30,863 --> 00:20:32,663
Yeah, there you go,
right there.
426
00:20:32,732 --> 00:20:35,066
Instead, the demolition team
will donate it
427
00:20:35,134 --> 00:20:37,468
To the local hovercraft museum.
428
00:20:37,470 --> 00:20:41,005
So we're taking it apart
to put into storage.
429
00:20:41,073 --> 00:20:42,806
Set her down.
430
00:20:42,809 --> 00:20:44,475
There you go.
Yeah, right there.
431
00:20:44,477 --> 00:20:45,610
Man, these are heavy!
432
00:20:45,678 --> 00:20:50,615
♪
433
00:20:50,683 --> 00:20:53,017
Lift it up. You guys lift up...
There you go.
434
00:20:53,019 --> 00:20:55,619
♪
435
00:20:55,622 --> 00:20:59,156
Each prop was mounted
on top of a tall pylon,
436
00:20:59,158 --> 00:21:00,758
A structure
that allowed the propellers
437
00:21:00,760 --> 00:21:03,494
To pivot left and right.
438
00:21:03,496 --> 00:21:06,163
The pilot could control
the angle and speed
439
00:21:06,165 --> 00:21:07,965
Of each propeller separately,
440
00:21:07,967 --> 00:21:11,368
And, that way,
steer the hovercraft.
441
00:21:11,371 --> 00:21:13,771
So are these really the biggest
propellers in the world?
442
00:21:13,839 --> 00:21:15,506
Warwick: They're the biggest
propulsor propeller
443
00:21:15,508 --> 00:21:17,174
In the world.
444
00:21:17,176 --> 00:21:19,577
You have bigger blades
on windmills and wind turbines,
445
00:21:19,645 --> 00:21:20,978
But as a propeller
for pushing you along,
446
00:21:20,980 --> 00:21:24,248
They're the biggest
propulsors in the world.
447
00:21:24,250 --> 00:21:28,252
Chad: The propellers rotated
at up to 1,000 rpm.
448
00:21:28,321 --> 00:21:31,255
That may not sound like much
compared to the engine of a car,
449
00:21:31,257 --> 00:21:35,726
But the size of the propellers
had a really dramatic effect.
450
00:21:35,728 --> 00:21:37,261
I just want to get an idea
451
00:21:37,330 --> 00:21:39,664
Of how fast
those props were moving.
452
00:21:39,732 --> 00:21:42,733
So, they're 21 feet
in diameter...
453
00:21:42,735 --> 00:21:45,135
Circumference of a circle,
pi times d...
454
00:21:45,138 --> 00:21:52,009
♪
455
00:21:52,011 --> 00:21:53,277
So...
456
00:21:53,346 --> 00:21:56,080
That's about 750 miles an hour.
457
00:21:56,148 --> 00:21:59,950
Now, the speed of sound
is about 740 miles an hour,
458
00:21:59,952 --> 00:22:01,819
So that means those props
459
00:22:01,887 --> 00:22:03,687
Are moving faster
than the speed of sound,
460
00:22:03,690 --> 00:22:06,290
Making them supersonic.
461
00:22:06,292 --> 00:22:08,826
Just like the concorde
created a sonic boom
462
00:22:08,894 --> 00:22:10,828
When it broke
the speed of sound,
463
00:22:10,830 --> 00:22:12,763
So did the margaret.
464
00:22:12,765 --> 00:22:15,099
And the roar from
its supersonic propellers
465
00:22:15,101 --> 00:22:17,568
Could be heard for miles around.
466
00:22:17,570 --> 00:22:19,436
Warwick: The propeller tips
would break the sound barrier
467
00:22:19,439 --> 00:22:21,238
Sometimes
coming into the terminals
468
00:22:21,240 --> 00:22:22,706
When the pitch
changes suddenly,
469
00:22:22,709 --> 00:22:25,642
So you could almost
hear them in France.
470
00:22:25,645 --> 00:22:27,178
Chad: It didn't take long
471
00:22:27,246 --> 00:22:30,781
For others to realize
the potential in such power,
472
00:22:30,783 --> 00:22:34,051
And the innovations
pioneered by these hovercraft
473
00:22:34,053 --> 00:22:36,454
Have been used
all over the world.
474
00:22:37,790 --> 00:22:39,757
We're traveling fast!
This thing is moving!
475
00:22:41,594 --> 00:22:44,328
From armed patrols
in the vietnam war...
476
00:22:44,330 --> 00:22:45,596
[helicopter]
477
00:22:45,598 --> 00:22:48,399
[gunfire]
478
00:22:48,401 --> 00:22:51,535
To rescue craft
serving disaster zones...
479
00:22:51,537 --> 00:22:53,804
And from tropical swamps...
480
00:22:53,806 --> 00:22:55,472
To frozen tundra...
481
00:22:55,475 --> 00:22:59,343
♪
482
00:22:59,345 --> 00:23:04,148
Hovercraft have proved
a vital tool for the u.S. Navy.
483
00:23:04,150 --> 00:23:07,618
Their ability to carry
huge loads at high speeds
484
00:23:07,686 --> 00:23:10,321
Still makes them
ideal landing craft.
485
00:23:12,492 --> 00:23:14,358
I'm off the coast of san diego,
486
00:23:14,427 --> 00:23:16,760
On board their
landing craft air cushion,
487
00:23:16,763 --> 00:23:18,295
Or lcac.
488
00:23:18,297 --> 00:23:20,097
You know, this hovercraft
is so big,
489
00:23:20,099 --> 00:23:22,633
And you're in
the vast ocean right now,
490
00:23:22,635 --> 00:23:24,435
You can't see any land.
491
00:23:24,437 --> 00:23:27,238
You really lose perspective of
how fast you're actually going.
492
00:23:27,306 --> 00:23:30,574
And we're traveling fast!
This thing is moving!
493
00:23:30,576 --> 00:23:32,709
And we've got
like 2-3 foot swells,
494
00:23:32,712 --> 00:23:34,445
And you can't even
feel anything.
495
00:23:34,447 --> 00:23:35,846
It feels like you're
riding in a cadillac,
496
00:23:35,848 --> 00:23:37,548
Just, just moving along.
497
00:23:41,387 --> 00:23:42,653
Lcacs like these
498
00:23:42,721 --> 00:23:47,124
Have been in service
for over 30 years.
499
00:23:47,126 --> 00:23:48,659
They're carried
by transporter ship
500
00:23:48,727 --> 00:23:51,662
To within 80 miles
of the shore...
501
00:23:51,730 --> 00:23:54,331
And then launched at sea.
502
00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:57,534
Even when carrying 180 troops...
503
00:23:57,537 --> 00:23:59,536
12 humvees...
504
00:23:59,539 --> 00:24:02,940
Or 75 tons of humanitarian aid,
505
00:24:03,008 --> 00:24:06,010
They're still
highly maneuverable.
506
00:24:06,078 --> 00:24:09,547
This thing can turn on a dime
507
00:24:09,615 --> 00:24:13,283
And deploy across
almost any terrain.
508
00:24:13,286 --> 00:24:14,685
Now we're heading back
to the beach.
509
00:24:14,687 --> 00:24:19,423
♪
510
00:24:19,425 --> 00:24:21,358
Oh, man.
511
00:24:21,427 --> 00:24:26,630
They give the u.S. Navy access
to 80% of the world's shoreline
512
00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:29,099
And the lcac unit its motto:
513
00:24:29,101 --> 00:24:32,035
"no beach is out of reach."
514
00:24:32,038 --> 00:24:39,376
♪
515
00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:40,777
It's stopping.
516
00:24:40,780 --> 00:24:45,048
♪
517
00:24:45,051 --> 00:24:46,650
That's spectacular.
518
00:24:46,719 --> 00:24:52,256
♪
519
00:24:52,324 --> 00:24:55,993
U.S. Lcacs have served
across the globe,
520
00:24:55,995 --> 00:24:57,194
In iraq...
521
00:24:57,263 --> 00:24:58,729
Somalia...
522
00:24:58,731 --> 00:25:00,063
Indonesia.
523
00:25:00,066 --> 00:25:01,331
And here in the u.S.,
524
00:25:01,334 --> 00:25:03,333
They took part
in rescue operations
525
00:25:03,336 --> 00:25:05,536
After hurricane katrina.
526
00:25:05,538 --> 00:25:10,741
♪
527
00:25:10,743 --> 00:25:14,912
Today, the lcacs operate
in extreme situations.
528
00:25:17,016 --> 00:25:18,749
But in her prime,
529
00:25:18,751 --> 00:25:22,586
The princess margaret's job
was to take tourists to France.
530
00:25:24,023 --> 00:25:27,157
And now it's time
to rip out the passenger cabins
531
00:25:27,226 --> 00:25:28,526
Where they sat.
532
00:25:30,429 --> 00:25:33,531
Before we start,
I want to take a look around.
533
00:25:37,570 --> 00:25:39,570
The margaret had two cabins,
534
00:25:39,572 --> 00:25:42,706
Configured to seat 416 people.
535
00:25:44,510 --> 00:25:46,243
Over their lifetimes,
536
00:25:46,245 --> 00:25:49,379
The princess margaret
and her sister ship, the anne,
537
00:25:49,382 --> 00:25:52,382
Carried over
11 million passengers.
538
00:25:52,385 --> 00:25:53,851
And appropriately enough,
539
00:25:53,919 --> 00:25:57,721
Seating was more like a plane
than a car ferry.
540
00:25:57,723 --> 00:25:59,189
I can only imagine
541
00:25:59,258 --> 00:26:00,724
What it would have been like
for the passengers
542
00:26:00,793 --> 00:26:03,060
To be flying across the sea
in this huge hovercraft
543
00:26:03,062 --> 00:26:05,596
Back in its heyday.
544
00:26:05,664 --> 00:26:07,464
♪
545
00:26:07,466 --> 00:26:09,733
Film narrator: Large windows
provide a panoramic view
546
00:26:09,802 --> 00:26:11,335
For all passengers,
547
00:26:11,403 --> 00:26:14,137
And the fully ventilated cabins
are light and airy.
548
00:26:14,140 --> 00:26:17,274
Passengers relaxing in spacious
airline-style seating,
549
00:26:17,276 --> 00:26:21,211
Perhaps sipping drinks
brought round by a hostess.
550
00:26:21,213 --> 00:26:24,214
♪
551
00:26:24,283 --> 00:26:27,017
Chad: Now all these seats
have gotta go--
552
00:26:27,019 --> 00:26:28,552
Some to the museum,
553
00:26:28,621 --> 00:26:30,554
The rest to auction,
554
00:26:30,556 --> 00:26:34,158
Where they might be bought
for use in home movie theaters.
555
00:26:34,226 --> 00:26:36,493
I brought my extra tool in case
we need some manpower.
556
00:26:36,495 --> 00:26:37,661
[laughs]
557
00:26:39,899 --> 00:26:41,565
Warwick: Ok, there it is.
558
00:26:41,567 --> 00:26:42,566
There we go.
559
00:26:42,635 --> 00:26:43,834
That's a lot easier.
560
00:26:43,902 --> 00:26:46,370
Only another
150 more benches to do.
561
00:26:46,372 --> 00:26:47,538
[laughing]
562
00:26:50,843 --> 00:26:52,176
Chad: Oh, man.
563
00:26:52,244 --> 00:26:53,977
Some of these have
been here a long time.
564
00:26:53,980 --> 00:26:56,213
These are completely
corroded in.
565
00:26:57,850 --> 00:26:59,716
Back in 1969,
566
00:26:59,719 --> 00:27:02,286
Passengers paid around $13
to sit here.
567
00:27:05,391 --> 00:27:07,791
That's about $90
in today's money.
568
00:27:09,662 --> 00:27:11,194
Back then,
569
00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:13,997
That was about the same price
as flying to France.
570
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:17,001
But the margaret
had one big advantage.
571
00:27:17,069 --> 00:27:19,236
You could bring
your car as well.
572
00:27:22,942 --> 00:27:24,141
Film narrator:
Cars enter the craft
573
00:27:24,209 --> 00:27:26,343
By means of
the wide bow loading ramp
574
00:27:26,412 --> 00:27:29,012
And are quickly positioned
with a minimum of fuss
575
00:27:29,015 --> 00:27:32,416
Under the guidance
of car deck personnel.
576
00:27:32,484 --> 00:27:34,618
Generous overhead clearance
in the car deck
577
00:27:34,620 --> 00:27:36,353
Allows the craft
to cope with coaches,
578
00:27:36,355 --> 00:27:37,888
Light commercial vehicles,
579
00:27:37,890 --> 00:27:40,324
And holiday makers'
heavily laden cars.
580
00:27:42,361 --> 00:27:44,361
Chad: In the first six months,
581
00:27:44,363 --> 00:27:46,163
The fleet of four hovercraft
582
00:27:46,231 --> 00:27:49,433
Carried hundreds of thousands
of passengers and their cars
583
00:27:49,501 --> 00:27:50,834
Across the channel.
584
00:27:52,638 --> 00:27:55,039
Business continued to boom,
585
00:27:55,107 --> 00:27:57,775
Until, in 1973,
586
00:27:57,843 --> 00:28:01,244
Britain and america
faced the oil crisis.
587
00:28:01,247 --> 00:28:02,913
Tensions in the middle east
588
00:28:02,915 --> 00:28:05,782
Meant the oil supply
was cut off.
589
00:28:05,785 --> 00:28:08,185
Film narrator: Traffic in the
cities was down by about 10%,
590
00:28:08,253 --> 00:28:09,586
And garages
offered a regular service
591
00:28:09,655 --> 00:28:11,521
Only to essential drivers,
592
00:28:11,524 --> 00:28:13,924
Not those topping up
for shopping or the weekend.
593
00:28:13,926 --> 00:28:17,728
Chad: The cost of a barrel
promptly quadrupled.
594
00:28:17,730 --> 00:28:21,732
With the margaret burning
four tons of fuel every hour,
595
00:28:21,734 --> 00:28:25,469
The hovercraft faced
commercial disaster.
596
00:28:25,471 --> 00:28:28,939
But its engineering
came to the rescue.
597
00:28:28,941 --> 00:28:30,607
Designers calculated
598
00:28:30,676 --> 00:28:34,277
They could increase efficiency
and stay profitable
599
00:28:34,280 --> 00:28:38,148
By making the craft even bigger.
600
00:28:38,150 --> 00:28:39,616
Warwick: They stretched them,
601
00:28:39,618 --> 00:28:40,751
So they cut them in half,
about where we're stood,
602
00:28:40,753 --> 00:28:42,953
Added a 55-foot section,
603
00:28:43,021 --> 00:28:44,888
And you could operate
the same engines,
604
00:28:44,890 --> 00:28:46,423
Bigger propellers on the top.
605
00:28:46,492 --> 00:28:49,226
For 10% more fuel, you could
carry double the payload,
606
00:28:49,228 --> 00:28:53,163
So it revolutionized and gave
the hovercraft a future.
607
00:28:53,232 --> 00:28:56,566
Chad: A new central section
was added to each vessel.
608
00:28:56,569 --> 00:28:59,770
At the time,
it cost $12 million,
609
00:28:59,838 --> 00:29:02,439
But it nearly doubled
their capacity
610
00:29:02,441 --> 00:29:04,641
And ensured the future
of these two hovercraft
611
00:29:04,643 --> 00:29:07,511
For another 20 years.
612
00:29:07,579 --> 00:29:11,515
The extended version
was christened the superfour,
613
00:29:11,583 --> 00:29:14,918
And it's the margaret
we see today.
614
00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:17,588
Film narrator: Superfour,
with its payload of 90 tons,
615
00:29:17,656 --> 00:29:21,125
Can carry 416 passengers
and 60 vehicles
616
00:29:21,193 --> 00:29:22,926
In airline-style comfort.
617
00:29:22,995 --> 00:29:29,666
♪
618
00:29:29,668 --> 00:29:32,803
Chad: Next, I want to uncover
the hidden engineering
619
00:29:32,871 --> 00:29:36,306
That made the princess margaret
unsinkable.
620
00:29:38,144 --> 00:29:39,209
Wow!
621
00:29:40,479 --> 00:29:43,079
The princess margaret
and the princess anne
622
00:29:43,082 --> 00:29:45,949
Were in service for 31 years.
623
00:29:46,018 --> 00:29:48,084
Together,
they each crossed the channel
624
00:29:48,087 --> 00:29:50,354
Over 80,000 times.
625
00:29:50,422 --> 00:29:53,623
That's more than
2.5 million miles--
626
00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:57,494
100 times
the circumference of the earth.
627
00:29:57,496 --> 00:30:01,965
Only once in all that time
did disaster strike.
628
00:30:02,034 --> 00:30:03,901
It was in 1985.
629
00:30:06,905 --> 00:30:09,639
The margaret
approaches dover harbor.
630
00:30:09,642 --> 00:30:12,709
The pilot is fighting
near gale-force winds
631
00:30:12,711 --> 00:30:14,911
And high seas.
632
00:30:14,914 --> 00:30:18,982
There are
370 passengers on board.
633
00:30:18,984 --> 00:30:22,486
Suddenly the hovercraft is blown
against the harbor wall.
634
00:30:24,656 --> 00:30:26,957
[crash]
635
00:30:33,999 --> 00:30:35,265
Reporter: The gaping hole
636
00:30:35,267 --> 00:30:36,867
In the starboard side
of the hovercraft
637
00:30:36,935 --> 00:30:39,670
Was an indication
of the force of the impact.
638
00:30:39,738 --> 00:30:42,672
Chad: 50 people were injured.
639
00:30:42,675 --> 00:30:45,075
Four died.
640
00:30:45,143 --> 00:30:46,410
Reporter:
One of the first tasks
641
00:30:46,478 --> 00:30:48,612
Was to try to get
underneath the skirting
642
00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:51,481
To see if the missing bodies
were trapped under the wreckage,
643
00:30:51,550 --> 00:30:53,216
But none were found.
644
00:30:53,219 --> 00:30:55,352
Chad: It was a terrible tragedy.
645
00:30:55,354 --> 00:30:58,955
But the accident
could have been much worse.
646
00:30:58,958 --> 00:31:00,557
Reporter: They said
that if this had been a ship,
647
00:31:00,559 --> 00:31:02,626
She would almost
certainly have sunk.
648
00:31:05,297 --> 00:31:07,631
Chad: The reason
the margaret didn't sink
649
00:31:07,633 --> 00:31:09,299
Was its unique construction.
650
00:31:09,301 --> 00:31:11,234
And the secret
to that engineering
651
00:31:11,237 --> 00:31:13,003
Is hidden below her car deck.
652
00:31:14,707 --> 00:31:16,240
It's day four,
653
00:31:16,308 --> 00:31:18,942
And this is the next innovation
I want to uncover.
654
00:31:21,046 --> 00:31:24,648
The skirt and lift fans
make the hovercraft hover.
655
00:31:24,716 --> 00:31:27,050
But because these vessels
operate at sea,
656
00:31:27,119 --> 00:31:30,453
They're built with
a watertight hull for safety.
657
00:31:30,456 --> 00:31:31,655
That means they can float,
658
00:31:31,723 --> 00:31:35,392
Even without
the lift fans running.
659
00:31:35,394 --> 00:31:38,996
This hovercraft is built on
a raft of 150 buoyancy tanks,
660
00:31:39,064 --> 00:31:40,998
Which makes it 500% buoyant.
661
00:31:41,066 --> 00:31:44,468
Basically, you'd have to stack
four hovercrafts on top of it
662
00:31:44,536 --> 00:31:46,103
In order to make it sink.
663
00:31:47,873 --> 00:31:49,205
These buoyancy tanks
664
00:31:49,208 --> 00:31:52,008
Are built under the floor
of the cargo hold.
665
00:31:52,011 --> 00:31:55,145
To reach them, I'm going to have
to smash through the car deck.
666
00:31:56,682 --> 00:31:58,482
These chambers
haven't seen the light of day
667
00:31:58,550 --> 00:32:00,817
Since it was built 50 years ago.
668
00:32:00,886 --> 00:32:02,886
I'm gonna take one apart
and look inside.
669
00:32:04,556 --> 00:32:09,559
♪
670
00:32:09,628 --> 00:32:15,298
[buzzing]
671
00:32:15,301 --> 00:32:17,767
♪
672
00:32:17,770 --> 00:32:19,369
Wow! Ha ha!
673
00:32:19,438 --> 00:32:21,838
I'm probably the first person
to be in one of these
674
00:32:21,907 --> 00:32:23,506
In over 50 years.
675
00:32:23,509 --> 00:32:26,243
[knocking]
676
00:32:26,311 --> 00:32:29,379
These buoyancy tanks
are riveted together
677
00:32:29,381 --> 00:32:30,513
And then sealed off
678
00:32:30,516 --> 00:32:33,183
By the rigid floor
of the car deck.
679
00:32:33,251 --> 00:32:36,453
It's like a giant raft
made of super light aluminum
680
00:32:36,521 --> 00:32:42,058
And strong enough to support
130 tons of cargo.
681
00:32:42,061 --> 00:32:43,860
Every tank is watertight,
682
00:32:43,862 --> 00:32:45,996
So if one
is ruptured and flooded,
683
00:32:46,064 --> 00:32:49,466
It won't affect
any of the others.
684
00:32:49,468 --> 00:32:51,067
The side effect of this design
685
00:32:51,070 --> 00:32:54,905
Is a giant hovercraft
that's actually ultra-buoyant.
686
00:32:56,341 --> 00:32:58,608
There's 150 of these
on this hovercraft.
687
00:32:58,677 --> 00:33:01,277
Now I can see why
it's virtually unsinkable.
688
00:33:01,280 --> 00:33:02,946
So the construction on this,
689
00:33:02,948 --> 00:33:04,348
You actually have
the wood top deck
690
00:33:04,416 --> 00:33:07,351
Which is coated with
an anti-slip material.
691
00:33:07,419 --> 00:33:08,752
Underneath the wood,
692
00:33:08,820 --> 00:33:10,620
We've got two layers
of aluminum sheeting.
693
00:33:10,622 --> 00:33:12,022
But what gives it its strength
694
00:33:12,024 --> 00:33:13,957
So that you can
drive the cars on here
695
00:33:14,026 --> 00:33:15,625
Is this honeycomb.
696
00:33:15,627 --> 00:33:18,561
It's actually
very, very fragile.
697
00:33:18,564 --> 00:33:19,562
You can kinda see...
698
00:33:19,565 --> 00:33:21,765
[banging]
699
00:33:21,833 --> 00:33:24,434
It's very easy to dent into it,
700
00:33:24,503 --> 00:33:26,169
But what it does
701
00:33:26,238 --> 00:33:28,505
Is it keeps the spacing between
these two aluminum sheets,
702
00:33:28,507 --> 00:33:32,776
And with that spacing,
this stuff is rock hard.
703
00:33:32,778 --> 00:33:35,445
This was what kept
the margaret afloat,
704
00:33:35,447 --> 00:33:38,114
Even when the worst happened.
705
00:33:38,117 --> 00:33:41,184
The tanks were a priceless
piece of engineering.
706
00:33:41,186 --> 00:33:44,587
But today, their only value
is as recycling.
707
00:33:44,590 --> 00:33:51,061
♪
708
00:33:51,063 --> 00:33:53,730
With aluminum fetching
a dollar a pound,
709
00:33:53,732 --> 00:33:56,933
The demolition team
wants to get back to work.
710
00:33:56,935 --> 00:33:59,369
[clattering]
711
00:34:00,806 --> 00:34:02,539
Before they do,
712
00:34:02,607 --> 00:34:05,408
There's one part of the craft
we want to save for posterity--
713
00:34:05,411 --> 00:34:07,677
The cockpit.
714
00:34:07,679 --> 00:34:09,746
This is the man
who knows it best,
715
00:34:09,815 --> 00:34:12,816
The princess margaret's
last ever pilot,
716
00:34:12,818 --> 00:34:14,584
John hawkins.
717
00:34:17,156 --> 00:34:19,022
How's it feel
to be back in here?
718
00:34:19,024 --> 00:34:20,156
John hawkins:
Well, it's good.
719
00:34:20,159 --> 00:34:21,491
It's still surviving,
isn't it?
720
00:34:21,493 --> 00:34:23,560
[laughs]
721
00:34:23,562 --> 00:34:24,828
It had to be
a little bit tricky.
722
00:34:24,830 --> 00:34:26,896
I mean,
when you're flying a plane,
723
00:34:26,899 --> 00:34:29,699
You don't have the lift fans
that you've got here.
724
00:34:29,701 --> 00:34:31,101
And you've got
four different propellers
725
00:34:31,103 --> 00:34:33,169
That could spin
all the way around.
726
00:34:33,172 --> 00:34:34,704
John: Well, the beauty of it is,
727
00:34:34,706 --> 00:34:37,974
It's set up to make it
very easy for yourself,
728
00:34:37,976 --> 00:34:39,509
Because this yoke here--
729
00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:41,377
If we were to do that,
730
00:34:41,380 --> 00:34:44,581
All the pylons would
go to push you
731
00:34:44,649 --> 00:34:46,316
In a certain direction,
that direction.
732
00:34:46,318 --> 00:34:47,651
Chad: All at the same time?
733
00:34:47,719 --> 00:34:50,120
John: Yeah.
Doing a turn, for instance,
734
00:34:50,122 --> 00:34:51,588
You could do a turn
with the rudder.
735
00:34:51,656 --> 00:34:53,056
You put the thing over.
736
00:34:53,058 --> 00:34:54,591
Chad: Ok.
737
00:34:54,659 --> 00:34:57,060
John: And the rudders
would go over to take you...
738
00:34:57,062 --> 00:34:58,128
To starboard there.
739
00:34:58,130 --> 00:34:59,195
Chad: Yep.
740
00:34:59,198 --> 00:35:00,663
John: The beauty
of these things,
741
00:35:00,666 --> 00:35:03,933
I've never known anyone
not to enjoy driving them.
742
00:35:03,936 --> 00:35:06,136
Chad: John makes it
sound simple,
743
00:35:06,138 --> 00:35:09,939
But flying these
took considerable skill.
744
00:35:09,942 --> 00:35:11,407
To maneuver the craft,
745
00:35:11,410 --> 00:35:13,877
The pilot could use the rudders,
746
00:35:13,879 --> 00:35:16,346
Pivot the pylons and propellers,
747
00:35:16,348 --> 00:35:19,950
Or adjust the pitch
of the prop blades.
748
00:35:20,018 --> 00:35:22,018
He also had to
balance the vessel
749
00:35:22,020 --> 00:35:25,422
By varying power
to each of the lift fans,
750
00:35:25,490 --> 00:35:29,092
Or even pumping fuel
between the fuel tanks.
751
00:35:29,094 --> 00:35:32,596
All this was controlled
from here in the cockpit.
752
00:35:35,433 --> 00:35:37,233
It may seem complicated,
753
00:35:37,236 --> 00:35:39,903
But the cockpit's design
worked so well
754
00:35:39,905 --> 00:35:41,971
That it was never updated.
755
00:35:41,974 --> 00:35:46,042
For me, that makes this
a piece of engineering history.
756
00:35:46,111 --> 00:35:48,711
I'm delighted
it won't be scrapped.
757
00:35:48,714 --> 00:35:51,381
Instead, it will be
saved and exhibited
758
00:35:51,383 --> 00:35:53,850
In the local hovercraft museum.
759
00:35:53,919 --> 00:35:57,787
But that means we have to
take it out in one piece,
760
00:35:57,856 --> 00:36:00,724
Which could be tricky.
761
00:36:00,792 --> 00:36:04,394
♪
762
00:36:04,462 --> 00:36:06,062
So I'm only using a pickaxe
763
00:36:06,064 --> 00:36:08,398
To make a starter hole
for the saw blade.
764
00:36:08,466 --> 00:36:09,933
Once I get the blade in there,
765
00:36:09,935 --> 00:36:11,868
I'm cutting through
the sheet metal
766
00:36:11,870 --> 00:36:14,204
But not the structural supports.
767
00:36:14,206 --> 00:36:16,873
We've got to make sure those
structural supports stay intact
768
00:36:16,875 --> 00:36:18,542
'cause if we don't,
769
00:36:18,610 --> 00:36:20,877
George and I
are both falling through.
770
00:36:20,879 --> 00:36:22,946
[buzzing]
771
00:36:22,948 --> 00:36:24,814
As we cut around the cockpit,
772
00:36:24,816 --> 00:36:28,351
We're leaving four of these
structural support beams intact
773
00:36:28,353 --> 00:36:29,686
To bear the weight.
774
00:36:31,223 --> 00:36:33,823
Then we attach slings...
775
00:36:33,892 --> 00:36:35,859
Let the crane
take up the tension...
776
00:36:39,030 --> 00:36:41,998
And cut through
the last of the beams.
777
00:36:48,307 --> 00:36:49,706
Now the crane takes
778
00:36:49,708 --> 00:36:51,975
The full weight
of the cockpit...
779
00:36:52,043 --> 00:36:53,509
[engine revving]
780
00:36:53,512 --> 00:36:55,412
And we can lift it out.
781
00:37:00,385 --> 00:37:01,785
Perfect.
782
00:37:01,853 --> 00:37:03,519
Good job, george!
783
00:37:03,522 --> 00:37:16,199
♪
784
00:37:16,201 --> 00:37:21,404
♪
785
00:37:21,406 --> 00:37:25,075
That's how you take a cockpit
off of a hovercraft.
786
00:37:31,082 --> 00:37:32,415
As you can see,
787
00:37:32,484 --> 00:37:34,350
We've a big hole
in the roof of the hovercraft.
788
00:37:34,353 --> 00:37:36,953
We lifted it up,
it didn't buckle at all,
789
00:37:36,955 --> 00:37:39,489
And now we've got a beautiful
cockpit for the museum.
790
00:37:41,826 --> 00:37:44,160
The analog dials
and manual controls
791
00:37:44,162 --> 00:37:45,428
In the margaret's cockpit
792
00:37:45,430 --> 00:37:48,231
Are from another era.
793
00:37:48,300 --> 00:37:50,033
But on this u.S. Navy craft,
794
00:37:50,035 --> 00:37:53,570
Everything is state of the art.
795
00:37:53,638 --> 00:37:54,771
I'm getting ready
796
00:37:54,839 --> 00:37:56,572
For a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity,
797
00:37:56,575 --> 00:38:01,711
To take the controls
of this u.S. Navy lcac.
798
00:38:01,713 --> 00:38:06,516
First, a brief from senior chief
petty officer eric crafton.
799
00:38:06,518 --> 00:38:07,984
He's an lcac pilot
800
00:38:07,986 --> 00:38:12,188
Who's served in iraq,
afghanistan, and haiti.
801
00:38:12,257 --> 00:38:14,057
So what's it like to
actually operate this thing?
802
00:38:14,059 --> 00:38:15,792
Eric crafton:
If you don't drive this craft,
803
00:38:15,860 --> 00:38:17,060
It's going to drive you.
804
00:38:17,062 --> 00:38:21,130
So, every slope,
the wind, the waves...
805
00:38:21,133 --> 00:38:22,732
Everything is a factor.
806
00:38:22,801 --> 00:38:25,402
Chad: You've got the lift,
you've got the propulsion,
807
00:38:25,470 --> 00:38:26,936
You've got the bow thrusters.
808
00:38:26,938 --> 00:38:28,004
It seems like
there's a lot going on.
809
00:38:28,073 --> 00:38:29,472
Eric: It is very tricky.
810
00:38:29,474 --> 00:38:31,408
You're using your feet
for your rudders,
811
00:38:31,476 --> 00:38:33,610
Your left hand for the props,
812
00:38:33,678 --> 00:38:35,611
And they're controlled
independently,
813
00:38:35,614 --> 00:38:38,415
And your right hand
for your bow thrusters.
814
00:38:38,483 --> 00:38:39,816
Chad: And if you combine that
815
00:38:39,884 --> 00:38:41,418
With this thing not even
touching the ground...
816
00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:43,553
You know, almost like
a frictionless surface,
817
00:38:43,621 --> 00:38:46,889
I imagine that adds a layer
of complexity to it as well.
818
00:38:46,892 --> 00:38:48,558
Eric: It does.
819
00:38:48,626 --> 00:38:51,361
You have to be in control to
make the craft do what you want.
820
00:38:51,363 --> 00:38:52,729
Chad: Gotcha.
821
00:38:55,233 --> 00:38:56,766
It certainly doesn't sound easy.
822
00:38:56,768 --> 00:38:58,701
But what better way to learn
823
00:38:58,704 --> 00:39:01,538
Than from this elite
u.S. Navy lcac crew?
824
00:39:04,309 --> 00:39:07,643
It's safe to say
I'm pretty excited.
825
00:39:07,646 --> 00:39:09,312
Oh, man!
826
00:39:09,381 --> 00:39:11,381
Man: Welcome to the forward con.
Chad: Woo hoo hoo hoo hoo!
827
00:39:11,383 --> 00:39:13,649
Man: All right. Let's do it.
828
00:39:13,652 --> 00:39:14,917
Chad: Oh, it's not every day
829
00:39:14,920 --> 00:39:18,721
You get to drive
a $30 million hovercraft.
830
00:39:18,724 --> 00:39:23,192
Right now, the lcac's
floating on its hull.
831
00:39:23,195 --> 00:39:25,328
But as soon
as I give the order...
832
00:39:25,330 --> 00:39:27,130
Engineer, bring us on cushion.
833
00:39:27,198 --> 00:39:29,599
Engineer: All right, got ya,
con. Bring on cushion.
834
00:39:29,667 --> 00:39:31,201
Chad: The lift fans kick in.
835
00:39:34,606 --> 00:39:36,472
The skirt inflates.
836
00:39:36,475 --> 00:39:38,341
And in less than five seconds,
837
00:39:38,343 --> 00:39:41,811
We're floating
on a cushion of air.
838
00:39:41,880 --> 00:39:43,012
Bow thrusters forward.
839
00:39:43,081 --> 00:39:44,680
Woman: Bow thrusters
are forward.
840
00:39:44,683 --> 00:39:46,015
Chad: As the engines rev up,
841
00:39:46,017 --> 00:39:50,019
The 120-ton craft
begins to glide forward.
842
00:39:50,088 --> 00:39:55,158
♪
843
00:39:55,160 --> 00:39:59,562
Seconds later,
we're pushing 20 miles an hour,
844
00:39:59,564 --> 00:40:00,964
Then 30...
845
00:40:01,032 --> 00:40:03,166
40...
846
00:40:03,168 --> 00:40:06,836
50 miles an hour
in a 120-ton craft,
847
00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:10,774
Loaded with six humvees
and a dozen marines.
848
00:40:10,842 --> 00:40:12,175
Incredible!
849
00:40:12,243 --> 00:40:13,643
Yeah!
850
00:40:13,645 --> 00:40:15,912
Ha ha ha!
851
00:40:15,914 --> 00:40:17,580
It feels amazing!
852
00:40:17,649 --> 00:40:22,585
♪
853
00:40:22,654 --> 00:40:25,321
I am flying a hovercraft.
854
00:40:34,065 --> 00:40:35,865
Wow!
855
00:40:37,335 --> 00:40:39,068
This is at least
three times faster
856
00:40:39,137 --> 00:40:41,805
Than a conventional cargo boat.
857
00:40:41,873 --> 00:40:42,806
Low cushion.
858
00:40:42,874 --> 00:40:44,474
Man: Low cushion? Gotcha, con.
859
00:40:47,612 --> 00:40:50,012
Chad: Ha ha ha! Wow!
Man: Hope you enjoyed it.
860
00:40:50,015 --> 00:40:51,881
Chad: Yeah, that was awesome.
861
00:40:51,883 --> 00:40:55,285
As soon as we kill the fans,
the skirt deflates
862
00:40:55,353 --> 00:40:58,254
And the lcac lowers
onto its watertight hull.
863
00:41:01,426 --> 00:41:05,628
I had four engines
at 4,000 horsepower each,
864
00:41:05,697 --> 00:41:07,230
And we were doing
about 40 knots,
865
00:41:07,232 --> 00:41:09,432
Which is probably around
50 miles an hour.
866
00:41:09,501 --> 00:41:11,834
And it felt like we were
just gliding on air.
867
00:41:11,837 --> 00:41:13,470
It was amazing.
868
00:41:19,578 --> 00:41:21,044
♪
869
00:41:21,112 --> 00:41:24,113
The lcac uses the same
principles as the margaret
870
00:41:24,115 --> 00:41:26,849
But is only one-third its size.
871
00:41:26,852 --> 00:41:28,785
The engineering
has been refined
872
00:41:28,853 --> 00:41:31,254
To create more power and lift
873
00:41:31,256 --> 00:41:33,056
From smaller engines
874
00:41:33,124 --> 00:41:35,225
And just two propellers.
875
00:41:38,263 --> 00:41:40,930
But the margaret had four props
876
00:41:40,932 --> 00:41:43,466
And four lift fans.
877
00:41:43,535 --> 00:41:46,736
These giant moving parts
were all joined together
878
00:41:46,738 --> 00:41:50,006
By one final piece
of engineering.
879
00:41:50,074 --> 00:41:52,742
And it's buried deep inside
the superstructure.
880
00:41:54,346 --> 00:41:57,547
It's the innovation
I want to uncover next,
881
00:41:57,549 --> 00:42:01,618
Before my final goodbye
to this engineering legend.
882
00:42:01,686 --> 00:42:03,353
[crunching]
883
00:42:03,421 --> 00:42:09,158
♪
884
00:42:09,227 --> 00:42:11,027
Just like peeling an onion,
885
00:42:11,029 --> 00:42:13,095
Layer by layer.
886
00:42:13,098 --> 00:42:26,509
♪
887
00:42:26,511 --> 00:42:27,977
Ok.
888
00:42:28,046 --> 00:42:29,245
There it is.
889
00:42:29,314 --> 00:42:31,247
The drive shaft.
890
00:42:31,316 --> 00:42:35,051
This is just part
of a huge drive shaft.
891
00:42:35,119 --> 00:42:36,986
It rotated at high speed
892
00:42:37,055 --> 00:42:38,388
To deliver power
893
00:42:38,456 --> 00:42:40,990
From the engines
at the rear of this hovercraft
894
00:42:40,992 --> 00:42:43,125
To the propeller and lift fan
895
00:42:43,128 --> 00:42:44,460
Via the pylon,
896
00:42:44,529 --> 00:42:46,663
All the way at the front.
897
00:42:46,731 --> 00:42:50,533
This drive shaft
had to be 140 feet long.
898
00:42:50,535 --> 00:42:54,070
It was the biggest
aviation had ever seen.
899
00:42:54,138 --> 00:42:56,606
And the margaret
had two of them.
900
00:42:56,674 --> 00:42:59,809
This is one of the gigantic
140-foot drive shafts
901
00:42:59,877 --> 00:43:01,811
That connect
to the forward pylons.
902
00:43:01,813 --> 00:43:04,414
And together they're some of
the most valuable recycling
903
00:43:04,482 --> 00:43:06,616
On the hovercraft.
904
00:43:06,684 --> 00:43:08,818
No one is quite sure
what it's made of.
905
00:43:08,820 --> 00:43:11,087
My bet is aluminum,
906
00:43:11,089 --> 00:43:13,823
Which is very light
and very strong.
907
00:43:13,891 --> 00:43:16,092
We're not sure
how to get it out, either.
908
00:43:16,094 --> 00:43:19,428
Roy's just going to have to
grab a section and pull.
909
00:43:19,431 --> 00:43:20,830
So what do you think, roy?
910
00:43:20,898 --> 00:43:22,698
You think you could
get the drive shaft out?
911
00:43:22,701 --> 00:43:24,233
Roy: Yeah, we'll have a go.
912
00:43:24,235 --> 00:43:25,568
I'll grab it in the center there
where the joint is.
913
00:43:25,637 --> 00:43:26,902
Chad: Yep.
914
00:43:26,905 --> 00:43:28,304
Roy: And it should
snap the bolts off then.
915
00:43:28,306 --> 00:43:38,180
♪
916
00:43:38,183 --> 00:43:44,654
♪
917
00:43:44,656 --> 00:43:46,222
Chad: Wow!
918
00:43:47,458 --> 00:43:48,658
Let's see.
919
00:43:48,726 --> 00:43:50,994
Oh, ho ho ho ho!
920
00:43:51,062 --> 00:43:51,995
Alright, moment of truth.
921
00:43:52,063 --> 00:43:54,397
I have a magnet here,
922
00:43:54,399 --> 00:43:56,299
And it's definitely not steel.
923
00:43:58,136 --> 00:44:00,403
I'm not sure if that's
the bolts or the flange,
924
00:44:00,405 --> 00:44:02,138
But this is definitely aluminum,
925
00:44:02,206 --> 00:44:05,141
And this is worth
a lot of money.
926
00:44:05,143 --> 00:44:08,144
This is just one section
of the drive shaft.
927
00:44:08,146 --> 00:44:11,681
The whole thing weighs
2,500 pounds.
928
00:44:11,683 --> 00:44:14,617
And remember,
there's two of them.
929
00:44:14,686 --> 00:44:18,521
Together, they could be worth
up to $5,000 as scrap.
930
00:44:22,293 --> 00:44:23,960
But to get every piece out,
931
00:44:24,028 --> 00:44:28,698
The demolition team will have to
tear the margaret to shreds.
932
00:44:28,700 --> 00:44:31,434
There's no turning back now.
933
00:44:31,502 --> 00:44:34,370
♪
934
00:44:34,439 --> 00:44:37,907
The hovercraft boom years
did not last.
935
00:44:37,909 --> 00:44:41,778
By 1994,
their future was under threat.
936
00:44:41,846 --> 00:44:44,914
Conventional car ferries
had become faster
937
00:44:44,916 --> 00:44:47,383
And could carry more cars.
938
00:44:47,452 --> 00:44:50,186
Budget airlines
offered cheap flights.
939
00:44:50,188 --> 00:44:52,588
And a new tunnel
under the seabed
940
00:44:52,657 --> 00:44:57,259
Was about to connect
England and France by rail.
941
00:44:57,262 --> 00:44:59,795
Meanwhile,
margaret's fuel consumption
942
00:44:59,798 --> 00:45:03,199
Was costing up to
$7 million a year.
943
00:45:03,201 --> 00:45:07,136
On top of that was the bill for
routine maintenance and crew.
944
00:45:07,138 --> 00:45:11,674
It all added up to an annual
running cost of $18 million
945
00:45:11,676 --> 00:45:14,010
For a single hovercraft.
946
00:45:14,078 --> 00:45:15,611
To stay profitable,
947
00:45:15,680 --> 00:45:18,948
The operators needed to sell
more than just tickets.
948
00:45:19,016 --> 00:45:22,218
That something was alcohol.
949
00:45:22,220 --> 00:45:24,353
Just like
international airports today
950
00:45:24,422 --> 00:45:26,622
Make money selling
duty-free alcohol,
951
00:45:26,624 --> 00:45:29,025
Cigarettes, and perfumes,
952
00:45:29,093 --> 00:45:32,261
So did the princess margaret
and the princess anne.
953
00:45:34,232 --> 00:45:36,499
Film narrator: Duty-free
facilities on board a hovercraft
954
00:45:36,501 --> 00:45:39,435
Do not require lengthy queueing
by the passengers.
955
00:45:39,437 --> 00:45:42,038
Instead, they enjoy
a pleasant and efficient service
956
00:45:42,106 --> 00:45:44,040
In the comfort of their seats.
957
00:45:44,108 --> 00:45:45,441
The cheerful cabin staff
958
00:45:45,510 --> 00:45:47,643
Can bring round drinks
and duty-free goods,
959
00:45:47,645 --> 00:45:49,779
Ensuring that
everybody is served
960
00:45:49,781 --> 00:45:51,380
During the 30-40 minute flight.
961
00:45:51,449 --> 00:45:55,785
♪
962
00:45:55,787 --> 00:45:59,388
Chad: Ticket prices were dropped
to around a dollar.
963
00:45:59,390 --> 00:46:01,590
For that,
you could travel to France
964
00:46:01,593 --> 00:46:04,727
And stock up on cheap alcohol.
965
00:46:04,796 --> 00:46:09,398
The trip became known
as a booze cruise.
966
00:46:09,400 --> 00:46:12,334
Soon, the hovercraft's
huge running costs
967
00:46:12,337 --> 00:46:17,807
Were paid for almost entirely
by profits from cheap alcohol.
968
00:46:17,875 --> 00:46:20,676
It's hard to believe
that a hovercraft this big
969
00:46:20,678 --> 00:46:22,211
Survived from duty-free.
970
00:46:22,280 --> 00:46:23,813
Warwick: Yeah, and in fact,
on some of the trips,
971
00:46:23,815 --> 00:46:25,548
If they were going
a bit too quick,
972
00:46:25,550 --> 00:46:28,350
The stewardess would call up
to the captain on the bridge
973
00:46:28,353 --> 00:46:31,086
And say, "slow down, we're
still selling the duty-free,"
974
00:46:31,089 --> 00:46:34,757
So we'd do a little nip and turn
and slow it down a bit.
975
00:46:34,826 --> 00:46:36,091
But, yeah, duty-free
976
00:46:36,094 --> 00:46:38,494
Was the saving grace
of the hovercraft.
977
00:46:38,496 --> 00:46:40,163
And towards the end,
978
00:46:40,231 --> 00:46:42,565
It was very much people going
for a day to get duty-free
979
00:46:42,567 --> 00:46:43,899
And not paying a premium.
980
00:46:43,902 --> 00:46:45,901
They'd pay a pound
for a day return
981
00:46:45,904 --> 00:46:49,038
And come back laden
with duty-free.
982
00:46:49,106 --> 00:46:51,240
Chad: Then, in 1999,
983
00:46:51,242 --> 00:46:55,644
The eu abolished duty-free
between european states,
984
00:46:55,647 --> 00:46:58,848
Including
the united kingdom and France.
985
00:46:58,916 --> 00:47:00,516
With no way
to cover the huge cost
986
00:47:00,585 --> 00:47:02,185
Of running these machines,
987
00:47:02,253 --> 00:47:03,786
The writing was on the wall
988
00:47:03,855 --> 00:47:06,622
For both the princess margaret
and the princess anne.
989
00:47:09,327 --> 00:47:10,726
Warwick: The duty-free ending
990
00:47:10,728 --> 00:47:12,728
Really spelled the end
for the hovercraft.
991
00:47:12,730 --> 00:47:15,131
It competed for ten years
against the channel tunnel.
992
00:47:15,199 --> 00:47:16,732
That didn't kill it.
993
00:47:16,801 --> 00:47:20,203
They survived an accident,
they survived price wars,
994
00:47:20,271 --> 00:47:22,071
They survived
an awful lot of things.
995
00:47:22,073 --> 00:47:24,940
But the death knell was
the abolition of duty-free
996
00:47:24,943 --> 00:47:26,609
In the year 2000.
997
00:47:26,611 --> 00:47:28,010
And overnight,
998
00:47:28,012 --> 00:47:30,213
The hovercraft was no longer
a viable concern.
999
00:47:33,151 --> 00:47:36,819
Chad: Less than a year after
the abolition of duty-free,
1000
00:47:36,888 --> 00:47:40,756
Both the margaret and the anne
were permanently retired.
1001
00:47:40,825 --> 00:47:43,826
[ship horn blows]
1002
00:47:43,828 --> 00:47:47,563
The era of giant hovercraft
on the english channel was over.
1003
00:47:47,632 --> 00:47:49,632
The princess anne
and princess margaret,
1004
00:47:49,634 --> 00:47:52,568
Two extraordinary pieces
of engineering
1005
00:47:52,637 --> 00:47:54,837
Run aground by economics.
1006
00:47:54,906 --> 00:47:56,973
And now
it's because of economics
1007
00:47:57,041 --> 00:47:59,575
That the princess margaret
is being torn to pieces
1008
00:47:59,577 --> 00:48:01,777
And recycled.
1009
00:48:01,779 --> 00:48:03,112
The demolition team
1010
00:48:03,180 --> 00:48:06,582
Has already shredded
the 30-ton rubber skirt.
1011
00:48:06,651 --> 00:48:10,720
They've ripped out and sold
the four lift fans.
1012
00:48:10,788 --> 00:48:14,390
One of the giant props has been
preserved for a museum,
1013
00:48:14,458 --> 00:48:17,226
Along with the seats
and the cockpit.
1014
00:48:19,197 --> 00:48:22,131
But now it's time
to really cash in
1015
00:48:22,133 --> 00:48:25,601
With what's left of
the 300-ton princess margaret.
1016
00:48:27,271 --> 00:48:31,207
Melted down, it will be worth
around 40 grand.
1017
00:48:31,275 --> 00:48:35,945
All together, that's a total
of about $175,000
1018
00:48:35,947 --> 00:48:40,482
For five days of salvage
and three decades of history.
1019
00:48:40,485 --> 00:48:52,895
♪
1020
00:48:52,897 --> 00:48:54,697
The princess margaret
1021
00:48:54,699 --> 00:48:56,832
Was born in a moment
of inspiration...
1022
00:48:56,834 --> 00:48:59,501
♪
1023
00:48:59,504 --> 00:49:01,503
Developed for a decade...
1024
00:49:01,506 --> 00:49:05,174
♪
1025
00:49:05,242 --> 00:49:08,310
Only to be launched
and made even bigger...
1026
00:49:08,313 --> 00:49:11,714
♪
1027
00:49:11,782 --> 00:49:15,651
Before making its name over
millions of miles of service.
1028
00:49:15,653 --> 00:49:17,987
♪
1029
00:49:17,989 --> 00:49:20,322
Now it's being transformed,
1030
00:49:20,325 --> 00:49:21,724
Bite by bite,
1031
00:49:21,726 --> 00:49:24,526
From a legend of engineering...
1032
00:49:24,529 --> 00:49:26,195
Into a pile of scrap,
1033
00:49:26,263 --> 00:49:27,596
Ready for recycling...
1034
00:49:27,598 --> 00:49:32,201
♪
1035
00:49:32,203 --> 00:49:36,138
Perhaps even to become
part of the next generation
1036
00:49:36,140 --> 00:49:37,539
Of mighty machines.
1037
00:49:37,542 --> 00:49:49,151
♪
1038
00:49:49,153 --> 00:49:51,787
The margaret
is now gone forever.
1039
00:49:55,760 --> 00:49:57,626
And with it,
cockerell's vision
1040
00:49:57,695 --> 00:50:00,296
For a hovercraft
to serve the masses.
1041
00:50:02,367 --> 00:50:05,368
But his inspired idea
for an amphibious craft
1042
00:50:05,436 --> 00:50:06,869
Lives on.
1043
00:50:08,306 --> 00:50:10,906
Not as a huge passenger vehicle,
1044
00:50:10,908 --> 00:50:12,775
But as a tool for the military
1045
00:50:12,777 --> 00:50:15,845
And emergency
and rescue services.
1046
00:50:15,913 --> 00:50:18,981
Today, hovercraft
can be found working
1047
00:50:18,983 --> 00:50:21,650
In some of the most extreme
conditions in the world.
1048
00:50:25,323 --> 00:50:28,057
They all started
with the princess margaret.
1049
00:50:28,125 --> 00:50:36,665
♪
1050
00:50:36,734 --> 00:50:38,200
Although we scrapped it,
1051
00:50:38,269 --> 00:50:40,403
Thankfully some of the parts
are going to be used
1052
00:50:40,471 --> 00:50:42,871
To preserve this incredible
craft behind me.
1053
00:50:42,874 --> 00:50:44,807
Being here has given me
a chance to explore
1054
00:50:44,875 --> 00:50:46,876
Just how the giant
hovercraft worked,
1055
00:50:46,944 --> 00:50:49,278
To uncover the wonders
of its engineering
1056
00:50:49,280 --> 00:50:51,647
And the genius
of its simplicity.
1057
00:50:53,284 --> 00:50:55,884
And it's genius
that is at the heart
1058
00:50:55,887 --> 00:50:58,154
Of every incredible invention.
87690
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