Chris Barrie's Massive Speed

2006•4h 10m

Documentary

Chris Barrie's Massive Speed follows on from the series Massive Engines and Massive Machines , both of which were also presented by petrolhead Chris (of Red Dwarf fame). In Massive Speed Chris turns his attention to the evolution of machines designed purely to achieve maximum speed. He travels the world searching for the most thrilling, speed-packed machines he can find and introduces audiences to huge engined bikes, planes, trucks and boats that battle it out in power races. Whether it's crossing an otherwise impenetrable snow drift, desert or swamp at the speed of an Olympic sprinter or cutting through the atmosphere at six times the speed of sound, Chris tells the stories of the greatest achievements of speed design and engineering. In each episode Chris follows the evolution of a specific genre of machine by testing them and reveals both the classsic stories and secret histories that surround each of them.

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Production

Whitworth Media Limited

Language

Status

Ended

First Aired

December 4, 2006

Last Aired

December 13, 2006

Created By

Mark Bridge, Jeremy Cadle, Tom Gorham, Simon Ludgate

Where to Watch

Region US · Lang EN

No providers available for this region.

Available in Your Library

Seasons & Episodes

Select a season to view episodes. Reddit links may contain spoilers.

Season

Fighter Planes

Air date: 2006-12-04

Chris traces the history of aerial combat, taking a ride in a World War Two Spitfire and meeting crack Dutch F16 fighter pilots along the way.

Hot Rods

Air date: 2006-12-05

Chris explores the world of hot rod racing, in which ordinary cars are customised into high-speed vehicles, originally inspired by a need for cheap yet quick transport. He looks at how the machines developed over the years, with simple engineering allowing for huge increases in velocity.

Record-Breaking Trains

Air date: 2006-12-06

Chris continues to study the evolution of fast machines, including the elegant steam engine City of Truro. He investigates modern transport icons, such as the Intercity 125 and the French TGV, before taking a ride on the floating Maglev train, capable of going up to 311 mph.

4x4

Air date: 2006-12-07

Chris explores how four-wheel-drive technology has revolutionised the pursuit of speed, beginning with the world's first 4x4, the Spyker 60 HP - entered into the Birmingham Hill race in 1906. He also takes a look at the classic Jeep, designed by Karl Probst in just five days, and the Audi Quattro.

Powerboats

Air date: 2006-12-08

Chris explores the history of speedboats, starting with the Jazz, a powerboat that used a unique "stepped hull" to decrease water resistance. He also investigates the first three-point hydroplane, the Bluebird K4, and racing catamarans, discovering these vessels are capable of great velocity even over choppy waters.

Sports Cars

Air date: 2006-12-09

Chris traces the evolution of sports cars, from the Bugatti Type 23 of the early 20th century, though such 1950s models as the Mercedes Gullwing to the latter-day Bugatti Veyron which is capable of reaching a top speed of 254 mph.

Armoured Vehicles

Air date: 2006-12-10

Chris explores the world of armoured vehicles, tracing their evolution from the early models of World War One to the contemporary bomb-proof presidential limousine capable of speeds in excess of 200kph. He also examines a variety of World War Two armoured personnel carriers designed to carry out raids into enemy territory.

Motorcycles

Air date: 2006-12-11

Chris visits the Isle of Man, which has been hosting the Manx TT for more than a century, to learn more about the evolution of the motorcycle. He also gets the chance to take a spin on some of the machines which have competed in the race, from the 1914 Rudge Multi to the 1997 MV Augusta F4.

Warships

Air date: 2006-12-12

Chris examines a range of fighting ships, from 17th-century galleons and ships of the line to modern vessels packed with firepower and high-tech gadgetry. He reveals how enormous sails were used to harness the power of the wind and the necessity for stealth technology in contemporary warships.

E10

Attack Helicopters

Air date: 2006-12-13

Chris rounds out the series by charting the development of attack helicopters from the experimental autogyro of the 1920s, to heavily-armed military models of the 1970s and 80s, including the fearsome Soviet Hind, the record-breaking Lynx, and the stealthy Apache AH-64.