It was a genuine shot - the timing isn't that difficult. As for dust/gravel, the Hercules is designed for use on dirt/gravel airstrips. I've seen one land and once it deploys reverse pitch on the propellors, the entire rear end of the plane disappears in a cloud of dust.

It's not difficult to fake either.


Fair enough like but the rear end of the plane is behind the engine intakes. And landing is a whole different proposition from taking off. And doing it on some dust strip in the scrub in Afghanistan because you have to is also a whole different proposition to doing it on a civilian airstrip in America that's only covered in dust cos some numpty in an Impreza was showing off for the cameras. There's a world of difference between 'acceptable' necessary risk in an operational situation and un-necessary risk in a civilian one.

Jon

I heard J.May on 5live the other day talking about this. He said that the RAF were there doing some training before flying to Afghanistan and it took 3 or 4 attempts to get the shot right. There is quite a distance between the vehicles & the Hercules and they do work in a lot of different environments so are up to the job.


yours wecrookie

Thanks for that. It goes back to my other point though - I want it as real as possible (I understand they need linking shots etc), not blatant set-ups that wouldn't look out of place in a Michael Bay military-fest

I now what you mean,but all they did was take advantage of the RAF while filming.The RAF were apparently talking off & landing all the time Top Gear just had a few a attempts at getting their timing right



yours wecrookie

It seemed completely fake though, in the sense that a lot of people knew there was little chance of it happening just as May and driver did the jump, and that doesn't help when nearly everything feels staged on the show recently

I mean, even Hammond putting his seatbelt/harness thing on last night seemed contrived

Dunno about you lot, but the 4 seater Porsche just looked wrong.

Porsche get confused with anything that's not a 2 door.

yours wecrookie

I think it is contrived. But its entertainment and I'm prepared to accept it as such. That way I can just sit back and enjoy (although Hammond is starting to get on my tits). I also think May is wasted in the show. He's much better on his other shows.

The funny thing is, I'll accept the very expensive use of taxpayers money for blokes genuinely messing about in high-octane situations, but not when it's all staged

RE: this show's news..

I want something that's been made from Carbotanium. Obviously, a Zonda would be ideal but I wouldn't mind something smaller.

Jon

I think I prefer Titbon.

I agree about Hammond getting annoying, and May being underused. While I enjoy the format, it might be getting a little tired and in need of a retread. There's only so much you can do mixing petrol, cars, squealing tyres and bullets.

I think a lot of Hammond's annoyance factor has to do with that God-awful hair of his

Kinda - let's not forget Captain Slow is no advert for hair care products, either. Nor Clarkson, for that matter!

It's more Hammond's over-eagerness. It really comes over as that faux chumminess beloved of local radio DJs. Hamster used to be one, and it still shows. When he's being serious, he's quite personable. It's when he tries to do the Clarkson-style hyperbole that it all goes wrong for me.