0:00:02 > 0:00:05In 2009, in the non-award winning series Toy Stories,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09we built this, the world's biggest Airfix model,
0:00:09 > 0:00:15the legendary Supermarine Spitfire as a full sized construction kit,
0:00:15 > 0:00:19scale 1:1, and we're very proud of it. We really are.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22It does, though, have a serious shortcoming,
0:00:22 > 0:00:27the one shared by all Airfix models really, which is that it only actually works in the imagination,
0:00:27 > 0:00:33held out at arm's length or maybe dangling from a piece of fishing line from your bedroom ceiling.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36It doesn't really fly.
0:00:36 > 0:00:41This, however, does,
0:00:41 > 0:00:43and it's given us an idea.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00I was an amateur aeronautical engineer from a very early age.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Back in those heady days of loud shirts and long hair,
0:01:05 > 0:01:07you could pop down to the newsagents and for about 9d,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11come away with a small self-assembly glider kit.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14With just a few bits of balsa wood,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16and, if you were posh, a rubber band,
0:01:16 > 0:01:21you could hold in your ten-year-old hands the key to the mystery of flight.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24It's a toy I've always remembered fondly, and wanted to revisit,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28but we could never find a challenge big enough for it.
0:01:28 > 0:01:29Until now.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37So, if you're watching from America these are the White Cliffs of Dover,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40very evocatively named because they're white and they're in Dover.
0:01:40 > 0:01:4522 miles approximately over there is the nearest point of France,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48and over there, various jumped-up little Hitlers like Napoleon
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and indeed Hitler, have stood and looked this way and thought,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54"We'll have that", whilst people have stood here, looked into the mist
0:01:54 > 0:01:58which is often present, and said, "Oh, the continent is cut off".
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Before flight, these islands were fairly safe from foreign tourists.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The cruel sea saw to that.
0:02:05 > 0:02:10Shakespeare called England "a precious stone set in the silver sea, which serves it as a moat",
0:02:10 > 0:02:13and other things a man in tights might say.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16But forsooth, the baldy bard couldn't have imagined
0:02:16 > 0:02:18that 300 years later all that would change.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25In 1909 Louis Bleriot struck a blow for comedy moustachioed Frenchmen the world over
0:02:25 > 0:02:29by becoming the first man to cross the Channel in an aeroplane.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Bleriot flew over and landed just over there somewhere actually, near the castle.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40Once that happened, people must have realised the world is going to change.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45Pretty soon, no decade was complete without a new cross-Channel aviation record of some sort.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48There have been many more.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54First airship, first helium balloon cluster, first helicopter, first autogyro.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59First passenger, first woman, first letter, first cat.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking that in the 100 years
0:03:02 > 0:03:06since Bleriot made his flight, there would be no more cross-Channel
0:03:06 > 0:03:09aviation records to be set, but there is.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11We've found one.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16First free-flight model glider to cross from England to France.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19So that's what we're going to do.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22If we succeed, the 22-mile flight will set a new British
0:03:22 > 0:03:25straight distance record for a toy glider.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28That's the best thing I've ever seen. That's just fabulous!
0:03:28 > 0:03:32A toy glider that we are going to conceive and build ourselves.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Here we go!
0:03:35 > 0:03:42But our goal is loftier and altogether more symbolic than a simple cross-Channel record attempt.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Our flight will achieve closure for those thousands of people who,
0:03:45 > 0:03:50as children like me, slaved for hours over balsa, glue and paper,
0:03:50 > 0:03:54only to see the dream of flight dashed against the beaten earth of reality.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59But in the world of instant gratification etcetera,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02where is the incentive to build your own glider?
0:04:03 > 0:04:06These days flying toys are very easy to come by
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and actually relatively inexpensive.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12This helicopter, for example, costs about 40 quid,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and it's absolutely brilliant.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21And this Piper Cub over here is made from expanded polystyrene.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24It comes ready-made, powered by a small electric motor.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29You simply charge it up for a few hours, and away you go.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31What could be better than that?
0:04:32 > 0:04:34What you have to remember, though, is that
0:04:34 > 0:04:39when I was a boy radio control was inconceivably expensive,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42and it was also very bulky, and it wasn't really very reliable.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44And the little model aero engines that people had,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47they cost a year's pocket money,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51so the only way to have a flying toy was to make something yourself,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55like a glider or maybe something powered by a rubber band.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59And you spent hours and hours and hours on your model,
0:04:59 > 0:05:03and you loved it, and then you just set it free.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I mean, you knew it would probably end in disaster,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07that you'd never see it intact again,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10or maybe not even at all, but still you released it from captivity
0:05:10 > 0:05:15and briefly, just very briefly, it was, it was beautiful.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17You'd invested your wood
0:05:17 > 0:05:21and your tissue paper with the soul of a bird, and as it soared away
0:05:21 > 0:05:26it carried with it, or so it seemed, the dream of flight that humankind
0:05:26 > 0:05:30has harboured ever since we first looked upwards and saw the birds.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It was all worth it.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35That's enough noble sentiment.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38If I'm to build a successful cross-Channel glider,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I'm going to have to apply brains over optimism.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45There are a few basics to consider, so here's a repeat of a simple
0:05:45 > 0:05:48flight test experiment I last made in the '70s.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52I've made four small model gliders,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56but on each one I've positioned the wings differently.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59So, here's the one with the swept back wings, the jet fighter design.
0:05:59 > 0:06:00Let's try that.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06The basic problem with that is that you need a huge amount of air speed for it to fly.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Jet fighters go very fast, they have swept back wings.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Here's the same design again, but with the wings straight out,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15mounted at the bottom of the fuselage.
0:06:15 > 0:06:20MUSIC: "We're Going To Be Friends" by The White Stripes
0:06:20 > 0:06:23That had promise, but it disintegrated
0:06:23 > 0:06:26because it isn't actually a very strong shape, nor is it very stable.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28Here we've got the wings on the top of the fuselage.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33They're still the same shape, dead straight and flat, right at the top.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40That's better, isn't it? That's not bad.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Finally we have the wings mounted on the top of the fuselage again,
0:06:43 > 0:06:50but this time with dihedral, that is the end of the wings are higher than the root of the wings.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54I've also added a slight aerofoil shape, so let's try this.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Wait for the wind a second. Here we go.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01THUD MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY
0:07:01 > 0:07:05If we were a proper programme like Panorama, that would have worked perfectly.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Oh, no!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10What did you have to stand there for, Dan?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12Take two.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15MUSIC CONTINUES
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Look at that!
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Wind's induced a bit of a stall, there, but that's flight.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28So, a glider looks the way it does for good reason - stability.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32We need high, slender wings, dihedral,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and a decent fin at the back.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38But even with all this in mind, I still want to base our glider
0:07:38 > 0:07:42around a real model, the sort that I might have made back in the day.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- Hello.- Hello.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54Yes. I was... Ah! These are the sort of things I remember from when I was a lad.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57The Slingsby Skylark.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58That's the sort of shape I'm after,
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- because it needs to have a nice fat fuselage for us to put all our kit in.- Yeah.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And it needs to look like the basic balsa wood glider
0:08:06 > 0:08:10that you spent five years building if you grew up in the '70s.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Oh! Mm, hang on.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21Slingsby Swallow. That's a really classic toy glider shape.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26I like this. It's the right shape.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Have you got it four or five times as big?
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Unfortunately not, no, but you'd probably find some plans.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Where would I get a plan from then, for it?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39You could always try the internet.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43The internet. Do you know, I'd forgotten about that.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45This is perfect.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49The real Slingsby Swallow was an RAF training glider in the 1950s,
0:08:49 > 0:08:53so it has the right sort of stable, high wing, dihedral design,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55and space inside for our kit.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00After numerous unbroadcastable attempts at searching Google
0:09:00 > 0:09:03for the word "swallow", we finally hit upon a company
0:09:03 > 0:09:06who could supply us with the supersized plans we need.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10And there it is, ready.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15At first glance, this retro design doesn't seem very aerodynamic.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20Quite an old-fashioned wing shape. It looks quite draggy.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22That's an aeronautical term.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27This... I suspect we may have to think about that a bit.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It might be a 50-year-old design at heart, but producing
0:09:30 > 0:09:36the hundreds of balsa wood parts is a gloriously 21st century process.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37Absolutely fantastic!
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Now watch this.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44That looks as if it's just been printed,
0:09:44 > 0:09:49but in fact the laser has cut the wood.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53There is a dimensionally perfect wing rib.
0:09:53 > 0:10:00That represents probably an hour's work back in 1975 or whenever I was doing this.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01Bye.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05To make sure my rather nostalgic choice won't lead to disaster
0:10:05 > 0:10:08over the channel, we need to see how well the swallow flies,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11so we get a friendly enthusiast to put it all together
0:10:11 > 0:10:13so we can test it out over dry land.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17Dryish.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22So here we are on a hill in Oxfordshire,
0:10:22 > 0:10:28and this is where we find out if this design has what it takes to be a record-breaking toy aeroplane.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30There are lots of considerations in aeroplane design.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35They can be designed for speed or manoeuvrability or endurance,
0:10:35 > 0:10:36or load carrying capacity.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40I've chosen this design because it looks like one I made when I was 12.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44So let's see if it has the endurance,
0:10:44 > 0:10:47if it has the soul of aviation in it, to fly through this valley.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49There's only one way to do this.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53We've put all the work in, now you just have to throw it off the hill and see what happens.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57- Try not to muck it up, Number Two. - You ready?
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Happy?
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Oh!
0:11:05 > 0:11:06It's scaring the birds!
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Oh!
0:11:12 > 0:11:14It's down there. Woah!
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Well, it's not broken.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18HE LAUGHS
0:11:18 > 0:11:21That's a very good result by the standards of my childhood.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24The aeroplane is still in one piece, it's usable again.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26That makes it a very good landing in aviation terms,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28but it hasn't actually gone very far.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33'So, we re-trim the swallow, removing some weight from the nose,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35'and give it another go.'
0:11:35 > 0:11:40- Here we go!- Go!- Woo! Look at that!- That's better!
0:11:40 > 0:11:44MUSIC: "The Dark Is Rising" by Mercury Rev
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Look at that!
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Oh, caught a gust, caught a gust!
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- No!- No, it's done it! No, it's turned back. It's good.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Go on.- Ah!- Go on, go on!
0:12:18 > 0:12:20It's not the greatest.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23ALL: Oh!
0:12:23 > 0:12:26It's still flying.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27Come on, baby!
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Now it's down.- That's landed. That's more like it, look at that!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35We've moved two whole fields.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38That's already better, look,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42that's gone at least three times as far as it did on the first flight,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45just with a bit of tweaking of weight and balance.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49That is the best model aeroplane I've ever been involved with.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52That has gone... Well, every other one I've built only ever got
0:12:52 > 0:12:55about as far as that little bush over there, and look at that.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57It's almost out of sight. Look at it!
0:12:57 > 0:13:00We thought this was amazing.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06It was only when we sent our bedrenched lackeys down
0:13:06 > 0:13:10to measure the distance that we came in for a sobering shock.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13On that rather good throw, our glider reached a distance of 326 yards.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16To merely scrape onto the beach at Calais,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20our glider must cover 22 miles, or 38,720 yards.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23That's 120 times as far.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Chucking it off the white cliffs just won't cut it.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Even throwing it off this hill nearly crashed it.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33To stand any hope at all, we'll have to throw it from as high up
0:13:33 > 0:13:36as we possibly can, and that means using a hot air balloon.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41And even then, the glider will be at the mercy of
0:13:41 > 0:13:44that most British of opponents.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47What we can't really do anything about is the weather, the elements.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51They are the things that nearly did for Alcock and Brown flying across the Atlantic,
0:13:51 > 0:13:55and nearly did for the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk and so on.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57They could completely scupper it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02That is a very, very big model.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06But it's a tiny, tiny aeroplane, and France is ever such a long way away.
0:14:08 > 0:14:13Louis Bleriot himself was almost brought down by the treacherous weather over the channel,
0:14:13 > 0:14:14and he had an engine.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19And our Swallow will be doomed anyway if, as I suspect,
0:14:19 > 0:14:23its basic design simply isn't fit for aerodynamic purpose.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26Well, this is the R J Mitchell wind tunnel
0:14:26 > 0:14:31at the University of Southampton Faculty of Engineering and the Environment.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Here is our glider, or sort of just over half of it, and we're going to test, I think,
0:14:35 > 0:14:40for the lift drag ratio at various speeds and angles of attack.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Exactly. We can go as soon as you're ready.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Are we ready? - We're ready, yeah. - We are go for wind tunnel.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- So, start fan.- Perfect.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58What we're actually trying to discover here is the swallow's glide ratio, that is,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02how much it loses in height compared with how far it flies in distance.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06For example, I've estimated that to make it across the sea,
0:15:06 > 0:15:09our glider needs a minimum glide ratio of 20:1.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12So, for every foot it loses in height,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15it must travel 20 feet forwards.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19It's high drama in the wind tunnel, as you can see.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23A one winged aeroplane making excellent, steady progress through the sky.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28So...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Give me the news, doctor. Is it good or bad?
0:15:33 > 0:15:35It's not good and it's not bad.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38The lift to drag ratio is probably in the order of about 14.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41It's not what you want for your long distance one.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- 14?- Yeah.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45- It's rubbish, isn't it? - It's not good.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50I'm staggered that it's that bad.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52We're going to need a better wing.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57It's a bit annoying to discover that we'll need to design a whole new aerofoil.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00And this problem, added to issues like the fuselage size,
0:16:00 > 0:16:04the balloon launch logistics and the weather, is beginning to cloud
0:16:04 > 0:16:08the simple childhood dream of flight that inspired the whole endeavour.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12But then I hear news of a discovery in a small Devonshire town
0:16:12 > 0:16:15that puts everything into perspective.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Time to set my hat at a jaunty RAF angle and investigate.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23So tell me a bit about the building first. It used to be a school, is that right?
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It did, as the town grammar school from about 1550 until 1910.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29And then it stopped being a school?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31It did, replaced by a new build in the town.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Right, and what was it you found? Can you show me what?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Well, myself and the builders found
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- a large number of...- Oh, wow! - ..paper darts.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- What's that bit made from? - That's a pen nib.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48God, so it is!
0:16:48 > 0:16:50That's amazing. How many of these did you find?
0:16:50 > 0:16:52I think we've got about 20 now.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58So these, well at the very latest these can be from 1910, presumably.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01The very latest, yes, the very end of the school period, I'm sure.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06- But they could go back to the, well, to the 19th century. - Could well be.
0:17:06 > 0:17:12'It really is amazing to think that even before the Wright brothers' flight in 1903,
0:17:12 > 0:17:16'children at this school were making these darts and dreaming of flight.'
0:17:16 > 0:17:19Ow! It's a good job I had my hard hat on.
0:17:22 > 0:17:23Hang on a minute.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Oh, Peter! Look at this.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31Oh my God! Look!
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Look here, that's incredibly exciting, look at that.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42- Well, that's a leap ahead.- That...
0:17:45 > 0:17:47God, I hope there's a date on that somewhere.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51That's the classic Concorde paper dart aeroplane.
0:17:52 > 0:17:53Wow!
0:17:57 > 0:18:02That's amazing. Some urchin made that, well, at least 100 years ago,
0:18:02 > 0:18:08maybe 150 years ago or more, and we used to make exactly the same one -
0:18:08 > 0:18:13fold it in, fold it in again, fold it in half, put the wings down.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Do you think it would be OK to try it?
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Oh, my word! Look at that! Did you get that?
0:18:23 > 0:18:26That's amazing, isn't it? Come on, that is amazing.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32That's been sitting in there for all that time, and it still works, and proves...
0:18:34 > 0:18:39..that the pioneering flight testers were more advanced than we thought.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41'To discover that Concorde was actually the work
0:18:41 > 0:18:46'of an unknown 19th century child is an uplifting and emotional moment.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52'And a quick experiment reveals that the same basic design
0:18:52 > 0:18:55'is still in production by schoolchildren today.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58'Children say their first word, take their first step,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00'and then make their first aeroplane.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07'Here's history straight down the barrel. Not quite.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- Oh,- BLEEP.- It went through the gap. - PETER LAUGHS
0:19:12 > 0:19:16I've literally thrown the history of aviation down through a hole in the floor.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22I decide to leave before I'm beaten to death by irate historians,
0:19:22 > 0:19:28yet determined that our Swallow will do those unsung pioneers of flight proud.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38These people are aerospace engineering students from Brunel University.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42We also have some expert aero modellers on their way to help us,
0:19:42 > 0:19:47and minister for aircraft production is Simmy, as you would expect.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50So now - let's glue balsa.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54While I've been out losing priceless historical artefacts,
0:19:54 > 0:19:59Sim and the engineering students have been hard at work designing a new wing for the glider,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02which should improve its pathetic 14:1 glide ratio.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05They've dispensed with the old bulky shape,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08and instead have come up with a leaner, meaner wing design
0:20:08 > 0:20:11that'll cut drag and produce a lot more lift.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The theoretical glide ratio of the new wing is 29.3.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16JAMES CHORTLES APPROVINGLY
0:20:16 > 0:20:19But is that theoretical or have you allowed for the fuselage?
0:20:19 > 0:20:23That's the problem. We haven't allowed for the fuselage in that figure,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and so we would be closer to 20 in reality.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- Really? - Close to your figures.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- It knocks a third off. - Yeah, because the fuselage is quite a draggy design.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38I can't do much about that, cos we need to keep the fuselage big to get all our kit in.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- Yeah.- That's the problem. We're stuck with a fat fuselage.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- Let's say we want 30 miles. - Yeah.- To be on the safe side.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50Can your programme calculate the launch height, assuming it's 20:1?
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Yes.- For us to get 30 miles, what's...?
0:20:52 > 0:20:55It's around 8,000 feet we need to be releasing the glider from.
0:20:55 > 0:20:598,000 feet. Finally, our plan is coming together.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03We now have a launch height of 8,000 feet and with a glide ratio of
0:21:03 > 0:21:0820:1 our glider should comfortably make it, channel weather permitting.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09But how, you may be wondering,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12will our free flight glider know it's supposed to go to France?
0:21:12 > 0:21:15What's to stop it sodding off to Hastings?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19Our boffin, Dr Ben, has come up with a guidance system.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20So, this is our autopilot.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24So, in here we have gyroscopes, we're got an accelerometer,
0:21:24 > 0:21:26we have a GPS so it knows where it's going.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28We also finally, then, have this air speed sensor
0:21:28 > 0:21:30and you can work out how fast you're going.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34It's pointing where it wants to go. It gets blown that way.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It knows that because of the accelerometers, all those little
0:21:37 > 0:21:39servers will then automatically alter the control services.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- Pull it back.- Turn it back on course. - Like that.- And all that is in there.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46All that's in there. We're never going to have time to test it properly,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50but lots of people that do this all the time tell me it will just work.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54So, buoyed by that tried but not tested scientific endorsement,
0:21:54 > 0:21:57we assemble the Slingsby Swallow mark II.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01MUSIC: "Learn To Fly" by Foo Fighters
0:22:11 > 0:22:13JAMES SPLUTTERS
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Situation update, three days in.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21This is mine and Simmy's beautiful fuselage which is the squarest thing
0:22:21 > 0:22:23this side of Michael Gove.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27Over here the students are working on the starboard wing,
0:22:27 > 0:22:30working very hard on that, they've been here since 10.30.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Over here there's more students, they're working on the port wing,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38similar level of progress, we've got to add the aileron, a bit of covering and so on,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41and then over here all the bits at the tail plane,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45the fin and the rudder, tail plane being sanded to final shape.
0:22:45 > 0:22:50'Compared with my childhood glider builds, we're making rapid progress
0:22:50 > 0:22:53'thanks to modern inventions like superglues.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55'They really will stick anything.'
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This is something that's happened quite a few times already,
0:22:59 > 0:23:04but I stuck my thumb to the aeroplane with a stray blob of the Cyano glue.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08You can see the bit that's gone.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10It's my flesh. Eugh!
0:23:14 > 0:23:19'So, after days in a hangar, anointing the glider with our blood, sweat and ravaged flesh,
0:23:19 > 0:23:26'after hundreds of pieces of balsa and more craft work than a German nightclub,
0:23:26 > 0:23:31'the new and improved Swallow is finally ready.'
0:23:35 > 0:23:38This, I've come to realise, is in fact a very British endeavour.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42We come here inappropriately dressed for the conditions.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46We are a motley assortment of experts and hobbyists, drinking tea
0:23:46 > 0:23:50and working very long hours for no money in an old and leaky shed.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54And yet, I believe we have achieved greatness.
0:23:54 > 0:23:56And here it is.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00DRAMATIC MUSIC
0:24:10 > 0:24:11The Slingsby Swallow.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Lightly modified by us and still basically a balsa wood glider,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18just like the ones we all made as kids,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21only a bit bigger, but it will unite nations.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28Finally, a glider fit to carry my childhood vision on its record-breaking flight.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32'We sent the joyous news of our achievement
0:24:32 > 0:24:36'to our cousins in Calais, but in reply they send us
0:24:36 > 0:24:40'not a bottle of champers, but a giant Gallic raspberry.'
0:24:40 > 0:24:42The news is this.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Our glider, our simple humble model,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49has to be classified as a drone according to British air traffic control,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52which is fine, they're very happy with that.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56But the French don't really recognise it as a drone.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59They don't like the idea of an unmanned aerial vehicle full of gizmos
0:24:59 > 0:25:03entering their airspace and we've had a massive argument about it,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06but they won't budge, and we've also of course got the restrictions
0:25:06 > 0:25:10of the big lockdown because of some running and jumping competition
0:25:10 > 0:25:13that's going on in London, and...
0:25:13 > 0:25:15it's really annoying me, to be honest.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19I mean France, la belle France, it is a wonderful place to go and drive around,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21ride around on a motorcycle or a bicycle,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and yes, you get cassoulet by the side of the road.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28It's very nice, they have wonderful cheeses, excellent local red wines,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31it's a beautiful place, but at a bureaucratic level,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33they make us and the Indians look like schoolchildren.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37They're absolutely hopeless, but it doesn't matter, because we've got a plan.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41We've discovered another channel that's perfect for our attempt.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45This one is free of French hubris and Olympic interference,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47but presents us with exactly the same
0:25:47 > 0:25:4922-mile record-breaking challenge.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52What's more, we'll still be extending
0:25:52 > 0:25:55our giant balsa hand of friendship to a foreign power.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59We're going to fly from Devon across the Bristol Channel to Wales.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03We can even make Wales look a bit like France if we want to with some
0:26:03 > 0:26:06clever voiceover and some accordion music and a picture of a croissant.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I prefer it actually. This is better.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14So, we've swapped Calais for the valleys,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17and the British record will still be ours for the taking.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22However, we've had to admit that there is a fundamental flaw in our plan,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24something more hopelessly optimistic
0:26:24 > 0:26:29than building a giant glider in the first place.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33We've made the momentous decision that the balloon launch is a stupid idea,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36because basically you only need the slightest puff of wind,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38the slightest bit of rain, somebody with an air rifle,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41and it doesn't work properly and you lose the balloon, it's no good.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45We've decided we're going to go with a helicopter very much like this one.
0:26:45 > 0:26:50We'll have one helicopter to film the flight for your entertainment, and one like this to launch it,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52and it's good, because it can go up when we want it to,
0:26:52 > 0:26:56it can go up to where we want it to, it can go up and down quickly if we
0:26:56 > 0:27:00have a technical problem or a camera doesn't work or something like that.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03There is, however, a problem.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07You can't just chuck a glider out of a hovering helicopter.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09For a start, it could get tangled up in this bit,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13the complicated mechanism up at the top, and that would be a disaster.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Furthermore, the glider itself might be destroyed
0:27:16 > 0:27:18by the enormous down draught.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22So, at the last minute Simmy comes up with an experimental solution.
0:27:22 > 0:27:27Excellent. You join us now at Dunkeswell Airfield where we have introduced this.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31We call it the crate, it's a sort of glider coffin upside down, if you like.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Because we're now going under a helicopter
0:27:34 > 0:27:36we can't simply hang the glider underneath,
0:27:36 > 0:27:39it would start flying as the helicopter moves along.
0:27:39 > 0:27:42So it's shrouded in this, which hangs underneath the helicopter,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and then at the appropriate altitude the glider is released,
0:27:45 > 0:27:48drops from underneath it and flies away.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Well, Sim, I can see which way round the glider goes.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56I'm guessing the wings go in the long bit and the tail goes in the small bit.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58- That's it, yes. - How does the release work?
0:27:58 > 0:28:03We've got a panel going up to the helicopter, which turns this
0:28:03 > 0:28:05electromagnet on, a 24 volt electromagnet.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08- Right.- That holds that down,
0:28:08 > 0:28:12and then when we're ready, the pilot will release the power to that
0:28:12 > 0:28:16and the glider will simply fall out through the opening at the bottom.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18But as the glider drops below,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22the glider inside the box is effectively in still air.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- Yeah.- As soon as it drops out into this it's going to be in a 15, 20 knot headwind.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Will the glider not just fly up into the helicopter or back into its box?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32That's certainly possible. I've never done this before.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- Well, that's why we're testing it, you see.- Yeah.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39'As with most of Britain's newest ideas and quite a lot of her military equipment,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42'success ultimately depends on gaffer tape.'
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- It's fine there.- Sure?- It's fine.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50I think if that comes off, it launches. Is it definitely going to stay on?
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- Are you sure, Simmy? - We'll see.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Another big concern is whether the crate will start spinning uncontrollably.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02If it does, it'll be impossible to stop
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and the glider might be destroyed, even if the release system works.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11So, to be on the safe side, we nick the airfield's windsock to act as a stabiliser.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19This is the first time a glider has been in the crate.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22This isn't the final glider, this is the prototype, which you will
0:29:22 > 0:29:25remember being test flown off the hill.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30We're not going to drop our proper one for the first time, cos that would just be too risky.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36The success of this operation now, everything we've done,
0:29:36 > 0:29:40the wind tunnel, the design, the new wings, calculating the glide ratio,
0:29:40 > 0:29:44building it in the hangar, it all really hinges on Sim's woodwork
0:29:44 > 0:29:48and an electromagnet that we had left over from another project.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51This actually has to work.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55If this doesn't work, I'm not sure what we can do in time for tomorrow.
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Here we go.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Hey, the windsock works!
0:30:20 > 0:30:23Look at that! That's tremendous!
0:30:30 > 0:30:33'Time for the release mechanism. Here we go.'
0:30:39 > 0:30:44- SIMMY YELLS - Yes! Look at that!
0:30:44 > 0:30:46Genius!
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Well done!
0:30:55 > 0:30:58That's the best thing I've ever seen! That's just fabulous!
0:30:58 > 0:31:03MUSIC: "99 Balloons" by Goldfinger
0:31:10 > 0:31:12It's beautiful as well, look at it!
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Look at that!
0:31:22 > 0:31:25That's magnificent.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29It works!
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- Don't sound so amazed.- I'm not amazed, I knew it would work,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- but it's just, when you first see it and you think, "yes!"- Yeah.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39You've got that ugly, no offence, Sim, that ugly, square box,
0:31:39 > 0:31:43and then this beautiful thing drops out of it and flies.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46It is Lazarus, isn't it, because that thing is like a tomb
0:31:46 > 0:31:50and then the glider lives, it's raised, except it's lowered.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52That's a terrible analogy, cut it out.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56Absolutely awesome sauce.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59This is really just a very, very convoluted
0:31:59 > 0:32:03and elaborate woodwork project, but everything about it works.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07All we need now is a decent bit of weather, and that's all we need.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10And then we'll make model aviation history.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Great. Shall we have a pint and talk about it?
0:32:13 > 0:32:14- Definitely.- Let's do that.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18'Oh, yes. The weather.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22'Just as we're packing up and preparing to go to the pub, the phone rings.'
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Oh, somebody's ringing in. Oh, it's him, it's Charlie from the Met Office.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Charlie. Hello. How are you?
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Rain?
0:32:45 > 0:32:49I'll try you later on, then.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52All right. Thanks very much. Cheers. Bye. Bye.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55Is that off? Yes.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59That's remarkable - there's a man who actually does speak like a weather forecast.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Even though I was just asking him casually, he was saying,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05"And in the morning we'll see some bright, sunny patches,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08"but with cloud cover increasing towards the middle of the day
0:33:08 > 0:33:10"and there may be some light showers from 3..."
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Do you think he speaks like that at home?
0:33:12 > 0:33:14His wife says, "Would you like a cup of tea, darling?"
0:33:14 > 0:33:18"I'm interested in the cup of tea approaching from the kitchen in a westerly direction,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22"temperature roughly 80 to 85 degrees C, becoming colder".
0:33:22 > 0:33:28It's just remarkable. I thought I'd rung up the telly.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Anyway, the gist of it is tomorrow is good in the morning
0:33:31 > 0:33:34but there will be quite a bit of cloud, and the wind is favourable,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37and the wind isn't favourable in the afternoon, but with
0:33:37 > 0:33:40light showers developing and the cloud base increasing and lowering.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42So, tomorrow's pretty bad. Umm...
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Which will mean crossing from England to Wales will be difficult.
0:33:51 > 0:33:56- Scotland has seen some heavy showers with a risk of snowfall. - LAUGHTER OFF CAMERA
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Actually, this isn't funny.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02The bad weather forecast, as feared, could ruin everything.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05We can only afford one shot at the record.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08'Cancelling the helicopters at this late stage
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'would be prohibitively expensive.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13'The flight will have to go ahead.'
0:34:23 > 0:34:30SOARING ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Good morning. It's Friday, it's launch day.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38In a moment this will be hoisted aloft
0:34:38 > 0:34:40and dropped from the special crate.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44I will be jumping into a very fast boat, which is why I'm dressed like this,
0:34:44 > 0:34:46to pursue it across the Bristol Channel,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48and the weather is not perfect, to be honest,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52but these helicopters and all these people cost a lot of money
0:34:52 > 0:34:56and we have no choice but to go for it. On the plus side, the glider is,
0:34:56 > 0:35:01and the production crew think this is extremely funny, piloted by me.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05So what could...? What terrible thing could befall it?
0:35:05 > 0:35:09It's difficult to imagine. Look. Look, it's me.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15'Moments before the launch, I convene the crew to go over the perfectly simple plan.'
0:35:15 > 0:35:18Dover is now Devon and France is now Wales.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19The balloon is now a helicopter
0:35:19 > 0:35:22and we launch from Simmy's glider coffin at a height
0:35:22 > 0:35:25of at least 8,000 feet if we want to set the 22-mile record.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28I'll follow in a speedboat so I can recover the glider
0:35:28 > 0:35:30when it hits the deck, and there'll also be a second helicopter
0:35:30 > 0:35:33with a glider spotter to keep an eye on it. Simple!
0:35:36 > 0:35:39'Despite the early hour, I'm experiencing that same
0:35:39 > 0:35:42'frisson of excitement I felt as a ten-year-old.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45'Our glider is finally going to take wing.'
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Right, here we go, and we're heading for Wales,
0:35:48 > 0:35:50but that obviously is a bit academic.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52It's a free flight glider.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56The whole point is you let it go and you see what happens.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59And when the Swallow drops out of that ugly crate,
0:35:59 > 0:36:04it will be transformed from a scientific experiment into a magical thing,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08and it isn't magic, really, it's physics, it's about aerofoils
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and weights and balance and air flow and all the other things we've talked about.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17But actually, it IS magic. To the boat!
0:36:17 > 0:36:21MUSIC: "When The Levee Breaks" by Led Zeppelin
0:36:21 > 0:36:26'This is it. The clouds are threatening, the plan is convoluted, but the team is ready.'
0:36:29 > 0:36:31Is it working?
0:36:31 > 0:36:34It's working.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35Go.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40'We appear to have reverted to impatient ten-year-olds,
0:36:40 > 0:36:44'but in reality we are a crack team. Every second counts.'
0:36:44 > 0:36:47VOICE FROM WALKIE-TALKIE
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Unlock the van.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53'Sadly, Fatty Carswell, our Australian cameraman,
0:36:53 > 0:36:57'has confused his van keys with a fun-sized Mars bar, costing us vital seconds.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'As the glider helicopter flies on oblivious,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08'we drive frantically to the harbour and our waiting speedboat.'
0:37:10 > 0:37:13There's no boat.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15'I don't believe this.'
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Yeah, there's absolutely nobody here.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20'Boarding the glider recovery speedboat was meant to be
0:37:20 > 0:37:23'like something from the opening sequence of a Bond film.
0:37:25 > 0:37:30'Meanwhile, our helicopter is already starting its ascent to launch height.'
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- There's no- BLEEP- boat here.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37'With chaos fast overtaking us, it's up to the director to keep a level head.'
0:37:37 > 0:37:39The slip road to the harbour?
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- BLEEP- it's at the wrong- BLEEP- place, it should be at the- BLEEP BLEEP.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46'Meanwhile, in the chopper, our glider spotter,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- 'Tom, is having his own doubts.' - James, this is Tom.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Roger, go ahead, Tom.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55We are currently at 4,000 feet above the coastline, slightly
0:37:55 > 0:37:59concerned about the amount of cloud out here in the Bristol Channel.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02At the moment we can't see Oxwich.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Roger, can you stand by? We have a slight boat problem.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06As soon as we're in it, we'll make a decision.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11'The cloud cover is fast becoming an even bigger issue than the boat.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15'Neither of our helicopters is permitted to fly in cloud.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18'Our pilots have to be able to see the ground at all times.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21'On top of that, two helicopters flying blind next to each other
0:38:21 > 0:38:25'could end in what pilots call "the drink",
0:38:25 > 0:38:29'especially when one of them is swinging a two-tonne woodwork project on a rope.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32'But look on the bright side. Our speedboat has now turned up,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35'meaning we will at least be able to recover the chopper crews.'
0:38:39 > 0:38:42Golf, Oscar, Alpha, this is James,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45just to confirm you are west of Ilfracombe, is that correct?
0:38:45 > 0:38:48- 'That's correct.'- Roger. We're almost ready for you to launch.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Give us a minute or two to position.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Currently if we launched from this location
0:38:55 > 0:38:58we would be almost directly into cloud.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00I can't see them. Can anybody see them?
0:39:01 > 0:39:05The delay with our boat has meant the weather has closed in.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08The helicopter's rotors are now beating the base of the clouds.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Tom, our glider spotter, has an emergency remote control
0:39:13 > 0:39:16to abort the flight if it's about to crash into an orphanage,
0:39:16 > 0:39:21but flight regulations say we can't launch if he can't see.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23They will launch the glider, might go into cloud,
0:39:23 > 0:39:25in which case it'll have to abort.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29It's an impossible situation.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32We can't fly higher, we can't launch into cloud,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34and we can't wait any longer.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Right, Tom, is there a case for launching slightly lower
0:39:38 > 0:39:40so that we miss the cloud?
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Yes, I would say so, if we were in 500 feet of the cloud base.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49OK, do the descent by 500 feet and then we'll go for distance.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51Roger.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Reducing altitude by 500 feet so that we clear the cloud.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00The helicopter is forced to descend to 2,900 feet, massively lower
0:40:00 > 0:40:05than the 8,000 we were hoping for, to search for a break in the clouds.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11James, we are now visual with the boat, say again, visual with your boat.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Right, there's the film chopper, there's the launch chopper.
0:40:15 > 0:40:16Right, this is James in the boat.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Golf, Oscar, Alpha, Golf, X-ray, X-ray,
0:40:19 > 0:40:23please launch at will at your discretion, and report when done.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32Four, three, two, one,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34go.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48We can see that, thank you very much, that's gorgeous. Fabulous.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Look at that!
0:40:51 > 0:40:53James, autopilot is engaged.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57Roger, autopilot engaged.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Cloud base not your fault, Oscar Alpha, thank you.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Yeah, all right, Tom. Anyway, our glider is finally in the air,
0:41:09 > 0:41:13but the observant among you will have noticed something wrong.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16Shouldn't it be heading out to sea?
0:41:16 > 0:41:19James, we're getting a lot of pitching fluctuation at the moment.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Actually, I can see that from down here.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28James to Tom, it's quite difficult to see from here.
0:41:28 > 0:41:29Which way is it actually heading?
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Heading east along the coastline.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34Well, that's not right.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38We're not sure if it's an autopilot malfunction or just a fear of the Welsh,
0:41:38 > 0:41:42but either way, the Swallow appears to be heading back to base.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50But then...
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- It's going the right way now.- Yeah.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16OK? Chase it skipper.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17Good. We've got to pick up speed.
0:42:36 > 0:42:43'The glider is now at altitude 1,000 and still tracking towards Oxwich Bay.'
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Roger, 1,000 Oxwich Bay. It looks lovely from down here, how does it look from up there?
0:42:47 > 0:42:49'The view is absolutely gorgeous.'
0:42:52 > 0:42:54Look at it.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Beautiful.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12It really is a spectacular sight,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15but nothing can disguise the fact that what with the weather,
0:43:15 > 0:43:20the boat, the autopilot and the Mars bar, we were just too low.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37'Glider's in the water. James, run it down.'
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Roger, we have visual. Thanks.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45- How far from shore are we? - Two and a half miles.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47Two and a half miles, that's hopeless.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00I think it's struggling.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08Top work. Beautiful.
0:44:11 > 0:44:16'Two and a half miles, nearly 20 miles short of the record,
0:44:16 > 0:44:18'and still in sight of Devon.
0:44:18 > 0:44:22'The child's dream dashed anew in adulthood.'
0:44:32 > 0:44:37'But the next day, dawn's recreation reveals a spotless golden sky.
0:44:39 > 0:44:41'Andrew, our launch helicopter pilot,
0:44:41 > 0:44:45'has to take a bride to a wedding at lunchtime.
0:44:45 > 0:44:47'Tom, our glider spotter from Brunel University,
0:44:47 > 0:44:52'is meant to be on his Saturday job delivering groceries for Waitrose.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54'But history won't remember all that bunk.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59'I think we should try this again.'
0:45:01 > 0:45:05MUSIC: "Baba O'Riley" by The Who
0:45:09 > 0:45:12I know I said yesterday that that would be our only chance,
0:45:12 > 0:45:14and strictly speaking it was.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17All these people, helicopter pilots, Simmy, the boat man,
0:45:17 > 0:45:20they're now all on very expensive overtime, but look at the weather.
0:45:20 > 0:45:21Look at the sky, it's clear.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24The helicopter can go as high as it likes.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26The problem is, though, you will remember
0:45:26 > 0:45:29we were going to extend the hand of friendship to Wales,
0:45:29 > 0:45:33we were going to go from North Devon over to the bay here at Oxwich.
0:45:33 > 0:45:37The problem is the wind today is a dead easterly.
0:45:37 > 0:45:40It's going that way, which makes it virtually impossible,
0:45:40 > 0:45:44but then we discovered the Isle of Lundy down here,
0:45:44 > 0:45:47directly to the west of our launch point,
0:45:47 > 0:45:51and more to the point, that is a distance of 22 nautical miles,
0:45:51 > 0:45:54almost exactly the same as the Channel.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57That's where we'll fly to, and I know it's not Wales,
0:45:57 > 0:46:01and that's a bit disappointing, but we thought for the purposes of this film,
0:46:01 > 0:46:05we'll spell Lundy with two Ls and we'll call it Llundy.
0:46:05 > 0:46:06Let's go.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18# Sally, take my hand
0:46:20 > 0:46:23# We'll travel south cross land
0:46:23 > 0:46:28# Put out the fire And don't look past my shoulder... #
0:46:31 > 0:46:33To the boat!
0:46:33 > 0:46:35# The exodus is here
0:46:35 > 0:46:39# The happy ones are near
0:46:39 > 0:46:45# Let's get together before we get much older. #
0:46:45 > 0:46:48We're going to go halfway between Ilfracombe and Lundy,
0:46:48 > 0:46:50wait for news of the glider's launch,
0:46:50 > 0:46:53which we won't be able to see because it's going to be at at least 8,500 feet,
0:46:53 > 0:46:57and then, following directions from our satellite navigation tracker,
0:46:57 > 0:47:00who's sitting on a hilltop, we'll learn how fast it's going,
0:47:00 > 0:47:03which direction it's going in towards Lundy, hopefully,
0:47:03 > 0:47:07and chase it and hopefully meet it as it comes in to an elegant landing.
0:47:07 > 0:47:13While we head out to sea, the helicopters describe huge ascending spirals over Ilfracombe
0:47:13 > 0:47:15as they climb to launch altitude.
0:47:24 > 0:47:27'We're just coming up to 5,000 feet.'
0:47:30 > 0:47:32'OK, 6,000 feet now.'
0:47:33 > 0:47:36Roger, 6,000 feet. Sounds excellent.
0:47:39 > 0:47:42So, we're already more than twice as high as we were yesterday.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45'OK, so it's six to 7,000 now.'
0:47:48 > 0:47:50Roger, 7,000, can you keep going?
0:47:50 > 0:47:53- 'Yeah, we can, definitely' - It's tremendous.
0:47:55 > 0:48:00We're now just shy of our 8,000 foot launch height, but the weather is
0:48:00 > 0:48:04so good, the choppers can go higher than we ever thought possible.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06'9,000 feet now.'
0:48:07 > 0:48:099,000 feet.
0:48:09 > 0:48:14MUSIC: "I Can See For Miles" by The Who
0:48:14 > 0:48:16- 'Altitude 9,500.'- Oh!
0:48:16 > 0:48:18'And half a mile in your 8 o'clock clearing.'
0:48:18 > 0:48:22# I can see for miles and miles
0:48:22 > 0:48:30# And miles and miles and miles. #
0:48:31 > 0:48:33'Altitude 10,000.'
0:48:34 > 0:48:39At a final altitude of 10,000 feet plus a length of rope, we're ready.
0:48:42 > 0:48:45The island is behind us and at sea level the wind is
0:48:45 > 0:48:49directly in my face, as I look east, so it's going to be
0:48:49 > 0:48:53behind the glider and it's going to go belting along.
0:48:53 > 0:48:56It's probably going to have an air speed of something like 35 knots.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59'OK, we're ready.'
0:48:59 > 0:49:05'Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four,
0:49:05 > 0:49:09'three, two one. Release.'
0:49:20 > 0:49:22'That's glider gone.'
0:49:22 > 0:49:23Yes!
0:49:23 > 0:49:25'It's fantastic!'
0:50:05 > 0:50:07Golf, X-ray, X-ray, this is the boat.
0:50:07 > 0:50:11Can you give us an approximation of the glider ground speed please?
0:50:13 > 0:50:18'OK, James, it looks like we're making 30 knots ground speed.'
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Hey! Roger, 30 knots, thank you.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29- 'James, this is Tom.' - Tom, fire away.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32'The glider seems to be tracking well towards Lundy.'
0:50:36 > 0:50:39We're already a mile offshore with the glider and we've only lost
0:50:39 > 0:50:44- about 1,000, well less than 1,000, feet, so yeah, we need to crack on. - Yeah.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47'This is the fastest boat in Ilfracombe,
0:50:47 > 0:50:50'but it isn't fast enough. I do a quick calculation.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52'Even though we can't see the glider yet,
0:50:52 > 0:50:55'I know we're never going to beat it to Lundy.
0:50:55 > 0:50:58'It's just flying too well for that.'
0:50:58 > 0:51:00It's remaining relatively stable.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03OK, and do we think, I know you don't know it exactly,
0:51:03 > 0:51:06but is it at best distance glide speed?
0:51:06 > 0:51:09I would say it's looking very promising at the moment.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16'Altitude 8,900.'
0:51:18 > 0:51:21So, we've done a mile and a bit and we've only lost 1,000 feet,
0:51:21 > 0:51:25so it's gone nearly two miles, well it'll just make it at this rate.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27Yeah, but it may not clear the cliffs,
0:51:27 > 0:51:30but if it lands on the beach, I count that as a success.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32It's going a mile per 1,000 feet now.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34Sorry, two miles per 1,000 feet.
0:51:35 > 0:51:38Being told how well the swallow is flying is very gratifying,
0:51:38 > 0:51:42but no match for seeing it with our own eyes.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44But then...
0:51:49 > 0:51:52We've made visual. We can see you. Fantastic!
0:51:52 > 0:51:55Hello, X-ray, X-ray, you're dead above us.
0:51:55 > 0:51:56Isn't that cool?
0:51:58 > 0:52:03'As I said, you spend hours on it, but it's all worth it.'
0:52:03 > 0:52:06That's miles up!
0:52:06 > 0:52:09'Upper air turbulence is giving the autopilot a hard time,
0:52:09 > 0:52:10'but no matter.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14'Wood, glue and a few bits of finger have rewarded us
0:52:14 > 0:52:15'with the gift of flight.'
0:53:01 > 0:53:03'James, this is Tom.'
0:53:05 > 0:53:07'Hello, Tom, go ahead.'
0:53:07 > 0:53:09Glider is flying fantastically.
0:53:09 > 0:53:13'Altitude, 4,500 feet.'
0:53:13 > 0:53:18We should cross the island at this rate at just under 2,000 feet, which would be absolutely fantastic.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22We can land it where we like. We can fly it through the lighthouse keeper's kitchen window.
0:53:22 > 0:53:23Continue, Sir.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34Llundy hoy!
0:53:34 > 0:53:38WELSH MALE VOICE CHOIR SINGS
0:54:14 > 0:54:18'We have to dock our speedboat at a jetty round the side of Lundy.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22'For the first time since midway, we're forced to lose sight of our toy.
0:54:22 > 0:54:25'Although, to be fair, the goodwill will be dampened
0:54:25 > 0:54:28'if we drop all the camera kit in the sea.'
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Ah, what a shame we can't actually see it, look it's...
0:54:32 > 0:54:34I CAN see it!
0:54:34 > 0:54:36Ah, it's just gone behind the headland.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39I just saw it, see there's the chopper,
0:54:39 > 0:54:42I just saw it, we'll see it emerge in a minute, I think.
0:54:42 > 0:54:44There it is. Can you see it?
0:54:52 > 0:54:58The Swallow soars over Lundy at an amazing 2,300 feet above sea level.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08It's still flying fantastically.
0:55:13 > 0:55:16'The GPS on the Swallow has been programmed for the landing strip
0:55:16 > 0:55:19'on the south side of the island.
0:55:19 > 0:55:22'Until then, technically it will be circling that point
0:55:22 > 0:55:24'until it loses all its height.
0:55:25 > 0:55:30'But from the ground, our toy glider is doing victory laps.'
0:55:49 > 0:55:51It's one of those things in childhood when you think,
0:55:51 > 0:55:54"If only I could have my bicycle at the top of a really long hill
0:55:54 > 0:55:58"so I could enjoy riding downhill all day," and it's the same with a glider.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02You always think, "If only I could throw it out of something thousands of feet high
0:56:02 > 0:56:05"rather than just the bedroom window." That's what we've done.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07And that's what it will do.
0:56:09 > 0:56:12Fantastic.
0:56:12 > 0:56:15I know it's only a toy glider, but allow me to be a bit emotional about it.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21After nearly an hour of heroic gliding,
0:56:21 > 0:56:23it's time for the migrating Swallow to land.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29Come on, come on.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53- HE LAUGHS - James this is Tom. The glider has landed on Lundy.
0:56:53 > 0:56:56How many feet would you say that is off the runway?
0:56:56 > 0:57:00- 20 feet.- Approximately 20 feet off the runway.
0:57:00 > 0:57:0322 nautical mile, that's just brilliant.
0:57:04 > 0:57:10From almost beyond the horizon, from the other world, we are pioneers,
0:57:10 > 0:57:14we are discoverers setting foot on this strange place with no cars in it.
0:57:16 > 0:57:20And so I head across the island to bring our glider home.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23But, like Captain Cook's landing party,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26first the Swallow must survive an encounter with the natives.
0:57:27 > 0:57:29It's a play one.
0:57:32 > 0:57:35It says it's from James.
0:57:35 > 0:57:39Oh, look, there's a little man in the front. Somebody's made it, haven't they?
0:57:39 > 0:57:43I know which guy that is off Top Gear. He's the really stupid one.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46'Luckily for them, it takes the stupid one
0:57:46 > 0:57:49'so long to hike across the island that the locals have run away.'
0:57:49 > 0:57:51Bye, if I'm on TV!
0:57:52 > 0:57:54- Well done.- Thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:58:04 > 0:58:09If you look behind you very briefly you will see where our glider has come from,
0:58:09 > 0:58:12Ilfracombe sticking out over there,
0:58:12 > 0:58:14only just visible in the slight haze.
0:58:14 > 0:58:18This has been a pioneering flight by a toy glider, one that's never been made before,
0:58:18 > 0:58:22and it set off like the Mayflower or Apollo VIII,
0:58:22 > 0:58:27not really knowing if this was possible, but here it is,
0:58:27 > 0:58:31the first, and remember the first to do something stays in the record book for ever.
0:58:33 > 0:58:37In my lifetime, there have been two very important announcements made
0:58:37 > 0:58:40concerning historic moments in aviation.
0:58:40 > 0:58:45"The eagle has landed", and "The Swallow has flown".
0:58:45 > 0:58:49Happy Christmas, and I hope all your toys work as well as ours did.
0:59:02 > 0:59:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd