Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
As a MythBusters guest alumni, ("Duct Tape Plane") I note the following post on Scientific American:
What MythBusters Taught Me, by Kyle Hill
Enjoy the blog post!
"The Standard Pilot Blog"TM The Chipper and Radiant Blog for Experimental and Ultralight (Part 103) Aircraft (c) 2010 thru (c) 2020 by James Wiebe.
Showing posts with label Mythbusters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mythbusters. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
MythBusters Redux for Belite and Duct Tape Plane
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
The Discovery channel is re-airing the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode this Friday, FEBRUARY 1, at 2:00 EST. (Check your local listings!). I am publishing some photos from that amazing experience here, several of which I have never shown before.
It was an unforgettable moment in my life. I enjoyed my time with Grant, Tori and Kari very much -- and also with Eric, Bennie, Duncan and Laura. Gene came and had fun too.
The plane in question ended up on MythBusters traveling tour. It was the same plane that won an award at Sun N Fun earlier in the year. It had started life as a tricycle gear plane and ended as a taildragger covered in duct tape!
The Discovery channel is re-airing the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode this Friday, FEBRUARY 1, at 2:00 EST. (Check your local listings!). I am publishing some photos from that amazing experience here, several of which I have never shown before.
It was an unforgettable moment in my life. I enjoyed my time with Grant, Tori and Kari very much -- and also with Eric, Bennie, Duncan and Laura. Gene came and had fun too.
The plane in question ended up on MythBusters traveling tour. It was the same plane that won an award at Sun N Fun earlier in the year. It had started life as a tricycle gear plane and ended as a taildragger covered in duct tape!
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| Overflying MythBusters on downwind |
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| Grant, Gene, James, Kari and Tori with the Duct Tape Plane on MythBusters |
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| Grant explains the success of Duct Tape. |
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| Is Grant doing the Robot?? |
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| Kari and Klaws. Duncan lounges. |
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| Grant and Tori and Duncan. |
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| Kari absorbs sunshine. |
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| Over the MythBusters gang on the closed runway. |
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| The Belite poses for the MythBusters crew. |
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| MythBusters between the struts. |
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| Turning Final for MythBusters. |
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| Laura the director sets the picture. |
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| Turning Base for MythBusters. |
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| A nice shot of the entire runway scene. |
Thursday, March 8, 2012
How to attach an engine to an ultralight airplane
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
NOTE: This post describes the process
for mounting a Hirth F33 (28HP) engine to a Belite Ultralight aircraft. We
support several different types of engines, all are similar in mounting
techniques. Call us (or the engine
vendor) if you need installation information for any other type of engine.
The F33 is the exact engine that was used on the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode, which aired in October of 2011. :-)
It provides awesome performance in our base aircraft. This is due to the many aerodynamic improvements we've made to this airplane and our lightweight construction. It is easily possible to fly a Belite with less than 210 pounds all up weight, including the engine!!
Let's get on with our engine installation...
The F33 is the exact engine that was used on the MythBusters Duct Tape Plane episode, which aired in October of 2011. :-)
It provides awesome performance in our base aircraft. This is due to the many aerodynamic improvements we've made to this airplane and our lightweight construction. It is easily possible to fly a Belite with less than 210 pounds all up weight, including the engine!!
Let's get on with our engine installation...
Section
A. Firewall Assembly
Cut the
firewall to the pattern supplied in our blueprint data. We recommend using either 0.032 or 0.040
aluminum. (If you don’t have the
blueprint PDF for the Firewall – email us!
We will send it to you.)
Fabricate the
firewall from the aluminum sheet using the blueprint PDF template sheet. Cut
the template sheet to size with scissors and then use spray adhesive on the
template sheet to temporarily attach it to the aluminum sheet. Cut the aluminum
with metal snips. Mark the templates' top contour on the sheet metal with a
felt tip pen, but cut the top contour a little long (1/2" or
so) in case your cowling does not fit up exactly as ours did. Any extra
material will get trimmed away during the cowling fit-up sequences to come.
Using a brake,
bend the bottom lip to fit under the fuselage, and drill holes at the engine
mount locations.
Deburr all
edges.
Section B.
Engine Mount Assembly
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| Figure 1 -- Completed F33 Engine Installation in Belite ultralight airplane. |
Sunday, February 12, 2012
MythBusters and Australia
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
It's time for another MythBusters moment for Belite Aircraft!
Airing in Australia today -- "Duct Tape Plane" featuring Belite Aircraft!
We've developed a great contact in Australia helping us represent our aircraft -- Peter Harlow @ Silverwings Aircraft.
I so enjoyed my time with Kari, Grant and Tory at MythBusters. I thought you'd like a few more MythBusters pics.
Many people don't realize that the airplane I used for this episode had our base 28HP engine. It looks like and performs like it had a lot more HP, but it didn't. Credit our great wing, light design, and awesome 'real' airplane characteristics.
Another thing that is hard to appreciate is just how much time it takes to make good television. This particular episode took the better part of 3 weeks to film. I wasn't even there during the last week of filming.
The attention usually goes to the hosts, but there are lots of folks behind the scenes who make it happen. Each episode needs a producer, a director, at least two cameramen, a soundman, and more. Then there's the outside riff-raff (like me) who help facilitate.
Since I had my experience at MythBusters, they've had quite a bit more fun. And an accident (or two.) The same trio I worked with (Grant, Tory, Kari) where the ones who sent a cannonball very accidently through a house near the Alameda bomb range. Not Jamie or Adam.
Speaking of Jamie & Adam, I never had the pleasure of meeting them. We were given a very nice tour through their facility before they showed up. I suspect they are slightly tired of the fan attention.
My shop manager, Gene, was able to join me at MythBusters as well. He helped ensure that everything was put together correctly, and got to help and observe in several different ways. I couldn't do Belite without Gene, and I appreciate him deeply.
Here's Gene, sitting in the airplane. The plane appears to be missing its wings in this shot:
One reason our plane has been so successful is because the wings fold easily. When Kari found out how easily the wings folded, she started dancing spontaneously, while Grant, Tory (and producer Eric Haven) looked on:
I hope you enjoy the episode, "Duct Tape Plane", on MythBusters.
It's time for another MythBusters moment for Belite Aircraft!
Airing in Australia today -- "Duct Tape Plane" featuring Belite Aircraft!
We've developed a great contact in Australia helping us represent our aircraft -- Peter Harlow @ Silverwings Aircraft.
I so enjoyed my time with Kari, Grant and Tory at MythBusters. I thought you'd like a few more MythBusters pics.
Many people don't realize that the airplane I used for this episode had our base 28HP engine. It looks like and performs like it had a lot more HP, but it didn't. Credit our great wing, light design, and awesome 'real' airplane characteristics.
 | |
| Belite's Ultralight Aircraft at MythBusters. |
Another thing that is hard to appreciate is just how much time it takes to make good television. This particular episode took the better part of 3 weeks to film. I wasn't even there during the last week of filming.
 | |||
| Grant, Kari and Tory work on the Belite ultralight aircraft, after some duct tape has been applied. |
The attention usually goes to the hosts, but there are lots of folks behind the scenes who make it happen. Each episode needs a producer, a director, at least two cameramen, a soundman, and more. Then there's the outside riff-raff (like me) who help facilitate.
 |
| The first camerman sprints away from Tory and Grant |
Speaking of Jamie & Adam, I never had the pleasure of meeting them. We were given a very nice tour through their facility before they showed up. I suspect they are slightly tired of the fan attention.
My shop manager, Gene, was able to join me at MythBusters as well. He helped ensure that everything was put together correctly, and got to help and observe in several different ways. I couldn't do Belite without Gene, and I appreciate him deeply.
Here's Gene, sitting in the airplane. The plane appears to be missing its wings in this shot:
 | ||
| Gene in a Belite Ultralight Aircraft at MythBusters |
One reason our plane has been so successful is because the wings fold easily. When Kari found out how easily the wings folded, she started dancing spontaneously, while Grant, Tory (and producer Eric Haven) looked on:
 |
| Kari Byron dances by Belite Ultralight Airplane |
I hope you enjoy the episode, "Duct Tape Plane", on MythBusters.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Risk, Cannonballs and Mythbusters
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
...
Risk, Cannonballs and Mythbusters
Last week, I deliverered an airplane to a new owner. The airplane had been specially modified to meet the requirements of a handicapped pilot. We'd modified the control stick and reduced the door entry height. We'd also installed doors, simply to provide a little comfort on chilly fall and winter flying days.
The aircraft had a number of features to increase safety: aluminum fuel tank, extra wing spar, spring landing gear. Even the cloth fairings on the landing gear arms cut dag, resulting in increased cruise and climb peformance.
Risk can be measured in many ways. Flying our aircraft entails risk: they are not certified; we sell them under the FAR Part 103 exemption which allows all kinds of privileges, in return for risk: no medical, no pilot license, no aircraft registration.
Earlier today, I flew another ultralight aircraft:
And I took some risk. I am interested in providing a high quality product for my customers, so I realize that I must be willing to accept risk. The engine was running roughly at high power: a carburetor problem of some sort. Gene and I fiddled with it, and I had it running acceptably for my test flight purpose, but certainly not acceptable for customer delivery next week.
In one or two days, I will test fly the same plane with a different propeller. We will evaluate the performance of the propeller, because it is important to add to the body of information available to us, and to our customers as to what works best, and to our vendors, and to the greater community of aviators.
There is a financial reward, if I manage these risks appropriately. Hopefully, this small business will continue to grow, and will eventually pay me something. (The financial account has mostly run the wrong way. Thankfully, that pendulum also is moving in a more positive direction.) I've risked *a lot* on Belite.
And now, Mythbusters.
Errantly, they shot a cannonball through the front and back of a house, off the roof of another house, and into a minivan. They certainly didn't mean to, and before it happened, a lot of very intelligent people thought they had properly mitigated their risks.
Which goes to show, even the smartest of folks can't anticipate everything. Risk doesn't always pay off (at least for the current account.)
I've read through many articles, I've researched the Mythbuster cannon shot literally from a bird's eye view (thanks to Google Maps), and I've seen what I believe to be factually incorrect (but irrelevant) reporting on their accident. I read the twitter posts of Grant, Tory and Kari -- they seem to be taking responsibility straight on. And from my limited experiences working directly with these people, I am confident they will make it right. They are very proactive, they will rise above this accident, and they will be better for it.
Back to airplanes.
I want to help aviators fly. This experience doesn't happen: ....
... unless I stick my neck out, invest the money, and fly the plane. And let my customer do the same.
Risk can produce some beautiful things.
I can't help but think of our aircraft handicapped customers. We have a couple of them. Their ability to fly was severely eliminated by the FAA, but then they discovered Part 103 -- and our aircraft. One of them (Eric) has become a wonderful friend of Belite, and has given Harley a beloved permanent home in our hangar. He is allowed to risk and fly under Part 103, even though medical certificates would be denied, and Eric has received immense joy as a result.
For further background on why I say these things, consider reading Matthew 25, verses 14 through 28. It speaks critically of people who don't take risks, and it speaks well of those who do.
...
Risk, Cannonballs and Mythbusters
Last week, I deliverered an airplane to a new owner. The airplane had been specially modified to meet the requirements of a handicapped pilot. We'd modified the control stick and reduced the door entry height. We'd also installed doors, simply to provide a little comfort on chilly fall and winter flying days.
 |
| James Wiebe flies a very special ultralight airplane from Belite; modified for a handicapped pilot |
The aircraft had a number of features to increase safety: aluminum fuel tank, extra wing spar, spring landing gear. Even the cloth fairings on the landing gear arms cut dag, resulting in increased cruise and climb peformance.
Risk can be measured in many ways. Flying our aircraft entails risk: they are not certified; we sell them under the FAR Part 103 exemption which allows all kinds of privileges, in return for risk: no medical, no pilot license, no aircraft registration.
Earlier today, I flew another ultralight aircraft:
 |
| Test Flight of a Belite Ultralight Aircraft (on the ground, actually) |
In one or two days, I will test fly the same plane with a different propeller. We will evaluate the performance of the propeller, because it is important to add to the body of information available to us, and to our customers as to what works best, and to our vendors, and to the greater community of aviators.
There is a financial reward, if I manage these risks appropriately. Hopefully, this small business will continue to grow, and will eventually pay me something. (The financial account has mostly run the wrong way. Thankfully, that pendulum also is moving in a more positive direction.) I've risked *a lot* on Belite.
And now, Mythbusters.
Errantly, they shot a cannonball through the front and back of a house, off the roof of another house, and into a minivan. They certainly didn't mean to, and before it happened, a lot of very intelligent people thought they had properly mitigated their risks.
Which goes to show, even the smartest of folks can't anticipate everything. Risk doesn't always pay off (at least for the current account.)
I've read through many articles, I've researched the Mythbuster cannon shot literally from a bird's eye view (thanks to Google Maps), and I've seen what I believe to be factually incorrect (but irrelevant) reporting on their accident. I read the twitter posts of Grant, Tory and Kari -- they seem to be taking responsibility straight on. And from my limited experiences working directly with these people, I am confident they will make it right. They are very proactive, they will rise above this accident, and they will be better for it.
Back to airplanes.
I want to help aviators fly. This experience doesn't happen: ....
 |
| Belite Tricycle Gear Ultralight Aircraft landing |
Risk can produce some beautiful things.
I can't help but think of our aircraft handicapped customers. We have a couple of them. Their ability to fly was severely eliminated by the FAA, but then they discovered Part 103 -- and our aircraft. One of them (Eric) has become a wonderful friend of Belite, and has given Harley a beloved permanent home in our hangar. He is allowed to risk and fly under Part 103, even though medical certificates would be denied, and Eric has received immense joy as a result.
For further background on why I say these things, consider reading Matthew 25, verses 14 through 28. It speaks critically of people who don't take risks, and it speaks well of those who do.
 |
| Ultralight Aircraft from Belite touching down |
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Mythbuster Duct Tape Airplane production photos
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
It's time to reveal lots of production shots from Mythbusters and the Duct Tape Airplane, which is an ultralight aircraft from Belite Aircraft!
Reminder: All photos on this website are (C) 2011 James Wiebe. If you are interested in high resolution photos for publication, contact James. Do not copy my pictures!
The show aired last night. Viewers responded by looking us up on the web and it crashed our website! Now it's back up.
You can follow james on twitter: @jamespwiebe
Also, please sign up for our airplane and product updates by clicking here.
And our website is here.
Now, the definitive collection of pictures from the production of "Duct Tape Airplane" on Mythbusters, using a Belite Ultralight Aircraft:
It's time to reveal lots of production shots from Mythbusters and the Duct Tape Airplane, which is an ultralight aircraft from Belite Aircraft!
Reminder: All photos on this website are (C) 2011 James Wiebe. If you are interested in high resolution photos for publication, contact James. Do not copy my pictures!
The show aired last night. Viewers responded by looking us up on the web and it crashed our website! Now it's back up.
You can follow james on twitter: @jamespwiebe
Also, please sign up for our airplane and product updates by clicking here.
And our website is here.
Now, the definitive collection of pictures from the production of "Duct Tape Airplane" on Mythbusters, using a Belite Ultralight Aircraft:
 |
| Kari, Tory and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Duncan and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Duncan and Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Eric is Grizzly |
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| Overflying Mythbuster crew in a Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Gene, James, Kari, Tory, Grant and Duct Tape Aircraft (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Grant and Tory work on Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Grant confirms myth on Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| James and Jennifer in map room at Mythbusters |
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| Kari Byron and Be |
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| Kari Byron dancing with Belite Ultralight Aircraft in background |
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| Kari, Grant, Tory and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Kari Byron with sweet smile |
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| Fuel, Kari Byron and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Lauren (Director) with Mythbuster Trio and Benny (1st Camera) |
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| Kari Byron with Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Kari Byron, Grant and Tori and Duct Tape Airplane (Belite Ultralight Aircraft) |
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| Overflying the Mythbuster production group at New Jerusalem Airport in Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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| Another shot of the Mythbuster crew on the ground |
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| Kari Byron enjoys the sunshine, Duct Tape Airplane and Grant |
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| Tory: Why so concerned? |
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Gene, Mythbusters, and the Belite Duct Tape Airplane
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
Gene got in the act out at Mythbusters, helping do some work on the duct tape airplane. Note that we are in the parking lot, and the motor is running.
Gene got in the act out at Mythbusters, helping do some work on the duct tape airplane. Note that we are in the parking lot, and the motor is running.
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| Gene Stratton in the parking lot at Mythbusters with Belite ultralight aircraft |
Monday, October 17, 2011
Mythbusters Duct Tape Airplane: 2 days to go
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
Avweb wrote something about it.
Kitplanes did as well.
So did the High Altitude Flying Club.
And here is one picture, from the set, as Kari, Grant, Tory assemble the Belite Ultralight Aircraft with some duct tape:
Much more, very soon.
Avweb wrote something about it.
Kitplanes did as well.
So did the High Altitude Flying Club.
And here is one picture, from the set, as Kari, Grant, Tory assemble the Belite Ultralight Aircraft with some duct tape:
 |
| Grant, Tory and Kari with Belite Ultralight Aircraft and duct tape |
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Duct Tape Airplane on Mythbusters
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
Exactly two weeks to go.
Discovery Channel put out a press release on their upcoming myths. It's been reprinted in a few places around the web, for instance, on Entertainment Weekly and on Monsters and Critics (dot com):
In the press release, Discovery Channel talked about a whole bunch of myths, but they said this about the one myth that Belite helped with:
"Can you use duct tape to fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? (As odd as this one sounds, it’s a story that has inundated our fan site message boards for years!)"
It's gonna be big. BIG.
Exactly two weeks to go.
Discovery Channel put out a press release on their upcoming myths. It's been reprinted in a few places around the web, for instance, on Entertainment Weekly and on Monsters and Critics (dot com):
In the press release, Discovery Channel talked about a whole bunch of myths, but they said this about the one myth that Belite helped with:
"Can you use duct tape to fix a plane that has been mauled by a bear? (As odd as this one sounds, it’s a story that has inundated our fan site message boards for years!)"
It's gonna be big. BIG.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Photoshop, Mythbusters, Belite, Bears, Kari and Duct Tape
Please note: James' blog has moved to a Wordpress site. To access it, please visit http://jameswiebe.wordpress.com/. All posts have been transferred to the new site, and all new posts will only be accessible via Wordpress. Thank you for your interest!
My friends at Mythbusters production company kept telling me that I would probably have four weeks warning before the big episode aired. I actually got two weeks and one day, and the notice didn't come from them, it came from someone who read the Mythbuster's website and inquired if the episode in question involved us.
Uh, yes! it does!
Here's a link to a video which the MB gang talks about the myth, tested with a Belite aircraft.
And here's a link to the Discovery / Mythbuster programming schedule which discloses our upcoming episode.
Quoting the Discovery channel / Mythbuster schedule:
"Adam and Jamie test three viral videos featuring the extraordinary excavator: Can it really row a barge? Be used to go wakeboarding? Perform seemingly impossible feats of acrobatics? Then -- using only duct tape -- Kari, Grant, and Tory attempt to patch up a plane that's had an unfortunate encounter with a bear."
And now, I confess to some photoshop sleight of hand.
Check out these two photos, one of which I previously posted, and tell me what the difference is:
The first photo was on my website. The second photo is the original; I edited it to avoid letting the cat out of the bag too early (that our myth involved duct tape.)
Nashua 357 duct tape. Accept no substitute!
I have many more photos which I will be posting after the episode airs on the 19th of October. Including photos of Kari acting very beary.
My friends at Mythbusters production company kept telling me that I would probably have four weeks warning before the big episode aired. I actually got two weeks and one day, and the notice didn't come from them, it came from someone who read the Mythbuster's website and inquired if the episode in question involved us.
Uh, yes! it does!
Here's a link to a video which the MB gang talks about the myth, tested with a Belite aircraft.
And here's a link to the Discovery / Mythbuster programming schedule which discloses our upcoming episode.
Quoting the Discovery channel / Mythbuster schedule:
"Adam and Jamie test three viral videos featuring the extraordinary excavator: Can it really row a barge? Be used to go wakeboarding? Perform seemingly impossible feats of acrobatics? Then -- using only duct tape -- Kari, Grant, and Tory attempt to patch up a plane that's had an unfortunate encounter with a bear."
And now, I confess to some photoshop sleight of hand.
Check out these two photos, one of which I previously posted, and tell me what the difference is:
 |
| Grant, James, Kari, Tory, Jennifer |
 |
| Grant, James, Kari, Tory, Jennifer, and something else |
Nashua 357 duct tape. Accept no substitute!
I have many more photos which I will be posting after the episode airs on the 19th of October. Including photos of Kari acting very beary.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Nice Mythbuster Article posted
Carrie Rengers of the local newspaper posted a nice article online about Belite, myself and Mythbusters.
You can read it here.
You can read it here.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Belite Ultralight Aircraft @ Mythbusters
(c) all photos by James Wiebe, Reproduction prohibited without written permission
If you read all the way to the bottom, I'm posting some more great photos of working at Mythbusters, including some photos of the MythBuster gang and a Belite Ultralight Aircraft. If fact, the airplane pictured far below is the same aircraft which won "Best Commercial Ultralight" at Sun N Fun -- refinished with a different engine and as a showstopping taildragger.... But first, some of the editorial on what it was like:
ARRIVING MYTHBUSTERS STUDIO, AKA 'M7'.
No, I'm not shouting, I'm just in shock.
I'd been given the address to drive to by the Associate Producer, a very nice guy by the name of Eric Haven. I really didn't know what to expect, other than the Google Map streetview had provided a grainy photo of an industrial area near the city's downtown.
I drove into the parking lot, and passed business unit after unit, waiting to find the one that said "MythBusters" on the door. I realized that nothing said MB on the door, but that the contents of the parking lot had somehow shifted from average cars to a collection of strangeness: a vehicle which looked like a small desert tank in progress; a bomb bunker, large markings on the parking lot (like a bomb drop "X"), and an oddly painted VW beetle.
I realized I had found Mythbusters. Kewl. In the door I went.
Which I did -- went in the door, expecting amazing offices and greatness, and I walked instead into a common room with desks crammed together, a huge mess on all of the walls, a small black dog, and people who were very busy. And a Mythbuster host or two at their desks, working (or playing) right in the midst of the chaos. And a big warehouse in the next room, where all the non-location shots would be setup and filmed.
Debris of a hundred episodes spread throughout all the walls, floors, ceilings, parking lots, desks, bathrooms, storage cabinets, and vehicles.
Hey, I can't tell you what we did. I've signed a blood enabled non-disclosure oath. But I can tell you some other things:
1) Our myth will certainly use a Belite airplane.
2) I've never been a part of a work environment that was so ad hoc on the back end. What a riot!
3) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) are fun, witty both on and off camera.
4) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) can be serious, can show concern and compassion just like all good human beings.
5) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) really do everything you see them doing on the show. And they do a lot more. They are working the myths with great diligence.
6) There are other people who are also working just as hard to make sure that the show is great TV. I've mentioned Eric, but there's also John, Lauren, Benny, Amid, Duncan, and many more.
7) Not that I've had great opportunity to, but I've never seen a group that knew so much about how to get a great camera shot. Both first and second camera (Ben and Duncan) know their stuff forwards and backwards.
8) MB very graciously allowed one of my daughters to join the fun for a day. Duncan (2nd camera) even more graciously took her and put her to work, instructing her on building a super cool show prop (which she did) and having her directly assist with setup on a "Mythbusters" logo shot, which they do frequently and freshly for each episode. I even got to contribute some thoughts to that particular logo shoot. It took them 3 hours to produce less than 2 seconds of video. The end result was world class super hi-def slow-mo footage shot on an amazing hi speed camera.
9) For all of the fun on camera, there are people who are sweating details. The producers and the director have plates full when the project is on -- there are loads of unforeseen things (EG: no porta-potty on location -- where to Pee? -- find a porta-potty). Some of the unforeseen things cause the director to think on their feet; some of them cause the producer to think on their feet; some of the problems cause the hosts to think on their feet.
10) It's teamwork. You have to work very hard to make great TV.
If you read all the way to the bottom, I'm posting some more great photos of working at Mythbusters, including some photos of the MythBuster gang and a Belite Ultralight Aircraft. If fact, the airplane pictured far below is the same aircraft which won "Best Commercial Ultralight" at Sun N Fun -- refinished with a different engine and as a showstopping taildragger.... But first, some of the editorial on what it was like:
ARRIVING MYTHBUSTERS STUDIO, AKA 'M7'.
No, I'm not shouting, I'm just in shock.
I'd been given the address to drive to by the Associate Producer, a very nice guy by the name of Eric Haven. I really didn't know what to expect, other than the Google Map streetview had provided a grainy photo of an industrial area near the city's downtown.
I drove into the parking lot, and passed business unit after unit, waiting to find the one that said "MythBusters" on the door. I realized that nothing said MB on the door, but that the contents of the parking lot had somehow shifted from average cars to a collection of strangeness: a vehicle which looked like a small desert tank in progress; a bomb bunker, large markings on the parking lot (like a bomb drop "X"), and an oddly painted VW beetle.
I realized I had found Mythbusters. Kewl. In the door I went.
Which I did -- went in the door, expecting amazing offices and greatness, and I walked instead into a common room with desks crammed together, a huge mess on all of the walls, a small black dog, and people who were very busy. And a Mythbuster host or two at their desks, working (or playing) right in the midst of the chaos. And a big warehouse in the next room, where all the non-location shots would be setup and filmed.
Debris of a hundred episodes spread throughout all the walls, floors, ceilings, parking lots, desks, bathrooms, storage cabinets, and vehicles.
Hey, I can't tell you what we did. I've signed a blood enabled non-disclosure oath. But I can tell you some other things:
1) Our myth will certainly use a Belite airplane.
2) I've never been a part of a work environment that was so ad hoc on the back end. What a riot!
3) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) are fun, witty both on and off camera.
4) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) can be serious, can show concern and compassion just like all good human beings.
5) The hosts (Tory, Grant, Kari) really do everything you see them doing on the show. And they do a lot more. They are working the myths with great diligence.
6) There are other people who are also working just as hard to make sure that the show is great TV. I've mentioned Eric, but there's also John, Lauren, Benny, Amid, Duncan, and many more.
7) Not that I've had great opportunity to, but I've never seen a group that knew so much about how to get a great camera shot. Both first and second camera (Ben and Duncan) know their stuff forwards and backwards.
8) MB very graciously allowed one of my daughters to join the fun for a day. Duncan (2nd camera) even more graciously took her and put her to work, instructing her on building a super cool show prop (which she did) and having her directly assist with setup on a "Mythbusters" logo shot, which they do frequently and freshly for each episode. I even got to contribute some thoughts to that particular logo shoot. It took them 3 hours to produce less than 2 seconds of video. The end result was world class super hi-def slow-mo footage shot on an amazing hi speed camera.
9) For all of the fun on camera, there are people who are sweating details. The producers and the director have plates full when the project is on -- there are loads of unforeseen things (EG: no porta-potty on location -- where to Pee? -- find a porta-potty). Some of the unforeseen things cause the director to think on their feet; some of them cause the producer to think on their feet; some of the problems cause the hosts to think on their feet.
10) It's teamwork. You have to work very hard to make great TV.
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| First Camerman and Sound |
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| Duncan *WANTS* this airplane. |
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| Some Mythbusters on the (closed) runway. Notice there's nothing around: miles from people. |
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| Kari Byron, 'nuff said. |
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| MythBusters, Lauren (Director) and Benny (1st Camera) |
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| Tory dreams of takeoff in a Belite Ultralight Aircraft. Sorry, you need some training first. |
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| Tory, Grant, Kari, Jennifer and James with Belite Ultralight Aircraft |
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