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JUNKYARD WARS / SCRAPHEAP CHALLENGE TV SHOW IN THE UK

Dear helpful Americans,

I am writing from RDF Media, we produce the television series ‘Scrapheap Challenge’ for C4 in the UK. It has been made in the States as ‘Junkyard Wars’.

We are hoping to make an airboats episode this year but there is no one in the UK with airboat knowledge – I’m hoping you may be able to give me some advice.

I know I need to get the right engine / prop match correct to produce a decent machine but this is pretty tough on the money we have (we seems to be less for all the parts than some props cost!).

We want to produce two airboats to compete against each other using very different set ups to make the show more interesting. We plan to make one lightweight solution using something like a Rotax microlight engine but have no idea where to start on a heavy solution – i.e. using a large auto engine as is the common way of making airboats in the US.

If you have time and are interested to help it would be great to hear from you. How would you go about making a safe airboat with only around $1700 to spend per machine and building it in around 10 hrs?

I’m trying to keep things possible by designing them to carry only one person and using a tried and tested US solution - but I know we will really struggle if we don’t get that engine prop match correct.

We can get US blocks here but mostly ancient old trucks ex US air force etc we simply don't have $$$$ to spend on specialised kit - do you think this show is even possible?

If you have any (proven) advice on rpm / tip speed / cheap props etc etc or airboat plans it would be great to hear from you.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Kind regards,

Nick Watson
Challenge Producer
Scrapheap Challenge

T:+44 20 70134359 GMT
F:+44 20 70134014
E: nick.watson@rdfmedia.com
http://www.rdfmedia.com
http://www.channel4.com/4car/ontv/scrapheap/index.html
 
Dear Mr. Watson,
Thank you for your interest in airboats. There are several on this site that will be able to assist.
 
I think Moodfood might understand me better, no offense. I'm not saying your boats have anything to do with a scrapheap.

I understand they are very expensive and very well engineered craft. But I don't have $30,000 and mweeks to built one. I need to build two on Scrapheap Challege, a fun science and engineering show which inspires the next generation of mechanical engineers - I don't want something that does 80mph while planing. I would be happy if the prop pushed it along. Its getting the science across to the kids (and their dads!) that's important - not showing airboats off in the best light.

I would like to know if it is possible to do what I want to do with something like the small Chevy block for the money I have and it would be great to hear from anyone. I am happy for people to email direct if they wish.

All the best,

Nick
 
NickWatson

It is indeed possible to do with your limited finances and goals. Used EMT conduit is fine for a single episode boat, road signs for rudders and, hell, the engine stand can even built from 1" used EMT. The thing your going to have trouble with is something for a suitable hull in that pricerange.

I might say a flat bottomed john boat greatly reinforced but it won't tolerate much deep water.

Most even V6 engines will puch a boat to some degree in shallow water. The Rotax minis even dont have to be Rotax, I have seen 14-18 HP old surplus Ranger engines used that work. Another source of engines would be used McCulloch WWII Drine engines, VW engines etc.

Most of your controlls can be rigged with cable and pullys so thats rteally cheep.

Props are another issue. You might cut something out on a table saw for a single use demonstration then fiberglass it and tip it. BUT beware the ballance.

I'd love to see the episode myself.

Scotty
 
It would be neat to see a match between a Land Rover V8 on one team and a 4 cylinder aircraft engine on the other. Should be easy enough for you to find one of each in the UK.

You'll likely have to source your propellers from the US as they turn backward from most aircraft props (pusher vs. puller). A call to Sensenich or Florida Airboat Propellers should provide you with wooden props for each engine and wood is the cheapest way to go. I'd definitely recommend new props for safety reasons.
 
Welcome Nick
I'm sure you will find some of the most helpful folks here on this forum. The knowledge I have gained here is unbelievable. Just ask and you will get meny people with different ideas and this will allow you to take the information and use it the way it suits you best.
My first thought when I read you post, besides it would be great fun, is jumping WAY ahead. When you are out running these boats you NEED someone with experience to sea trial them.
When I first ran my airboat i was shocked how different in every way it was than any other boat. Then add to it the prototype factor and it could get dangerous real quick. Something that an inexperienced person might just chalk up to being on a new different type of boat someone with a backround in airboats would pick up on as a problem.
This project can be done but there is a lot of engineering that needs to be thought out in engine stand, supports, hull stresses. When I started running my first airboat about a year ago i just got on it and never thought about the problems that would happen if... Watching some of the viedo's here of props coming apart woke me up. Anything coming loose on the boat, the engine stand twisting or colapsing, stringers on the boat being stressd and break or bend. What do all these things have in common??? When it happens most likely the prop is going to hit something and come apart.
I am not trying to discourage this project, just do your homework ( which you can do with the help of the wounderful people here) and then do the boat.
Tim
 
I think the project is a great idea, however with the budget restraints involved I would not suggest moving forward with this project w/out having some type of Airboat expert for safety reasons. Airboats are not toys and it could get out of hand very easy. Sorry to be a downer. It would be best to find a sponser that can increase your budget for the show.
 
Perhaps mini powered engines should be considered for this challenge.
Kohler or Briggs & Sratton industrial engines have been used to some success on airboats, and may provide the right performance per $.

The budget limits you've defined are gonna be tough to meet with most conventional full scale airboating power options.

The small industrial engines might get close budget wise. Cost for the engine and prop.

They would also deliver limited thrust, minimizing the safety concerns to some degree. The lower thrust would reduce the stresses Faron mentioned above, and offer more margin for error to the firsttime headscratching airboat designers selected for the challenge.

These folks may not know excactly what to expect in an airboat design, and they will be in a hurry while trying to build it.

Nobody is trying to be a downer, but safety of challenge participants has got to be priority one.
 
Thanks for all your advice, especially re the doing this in a safe manner.

We will be using hovercraft folk for the experts, so they are used to working with props, but I wanted to hear the thoughts of airboat people too, as you have have first hand experience that no one in the UK has.

A big thank you to everyone who has been in touch so far and been positive about the project. It's very refreshing to find such a helpful bunch of people on the net.

I promise to post pictures when we are done, sadly I don't think the show gets aired in the US anymore which is a great shame - you guys should nag TLC into starting it up again.
 
Nickwatson,

Paul and Carol Dixon
Airboats Unlimited, INC
778 Woodhull Rd
Bainbridge, GA 39819
(229)246-5760

Give these folks a call. They have a good deal of experience in developing airboats that use small industial engines.

Their mini sized boats will run on dry ground using those large lawnmower engines.

They can tell you what engine will work best, and what propeller to obtain.
They also build full scale airboats.

They always seem to be very friendly, helpfull people. I know they will have good information about using small industrial engines if that's what you decide.

http://home.mindspring.com/~ruthalice/100_1263.mov
 
Welcome nick. I think this is just about the coolest thing posted lately. You have definately come to the right place for the expert advice. It would be great to hear about some of our own SA family participating in your venture. Will be looking for the pics.



dawn
 
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