Giant Darts

Giant Darts Weird throwing machines are a Scrapheap must-have. A giant seven-foot dart is the latest projectile to get the Scrapheap treatment, joining the ostrich eggs, cabbages, golf balls and Minis of previous challenges. Take cover! Like pub darts, this test is all about accuracy. After building their machines and fashioning aluminium tubing into darts, the teams will take aim at three targets. The first two will be well within their machines' capabilities but worth fewer points. At the end of the range will be a third target worth more points. Each team will have three shots, but which target will they go for? Iron Maidens Suzanne Hawkes, Wendy Sadler and Angharad 'Harry' Thomas are all involved in Science and Engineering. Suzanne won The Young Women Engineer of the Year 2001 award. They are members of NOISE (New Outlook In Science and Engineering). Their role is to be mentors and role models to younger students and encourage them to take part in the industry. The Iron Maidens plan to outwit any other team. The Iron Maidens' technical consultant is Tod Todescini, a special effects supervisor familiar with realising the impossible and building strange mechanical contraptions. He also has an interest in weapons, so he's well set up for this challenge. Jousters Tom Parker, Dave 'Sparky' Parker and Dave 'Scotty' Allison are all Knights of the Black Phoenix. This involves jousting, archery and sword fighting. These North Yorkshire men are ready to put on their armour for a good scrap and are sure to scare their opponents and give any challenge their best shot. The Jousters' technical consultant is Paul Denney. He is no stranger to Scrapheap – he led Storm Force to victory in series four's 'Egg Shooter' trial. He wasn't quite so fortunate in last year's Car Flinger test. Paul's passion is medieval weaponry, so he's ideally suited to this challenge. The expert Joining our manic meddlers as this week's expert is Lieutenant Colonel Simon West from the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham. Simon is an artillery expert who is more than qualified to talk about projectiles and what fires them. TOP