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On this episode of Mythbusters, Adam and Jamie...

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That is really just creepy and distasteful.

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But scientific!

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Get the jump on a blockbuster boom.

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Blowing up, please.

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Can freezing a bomb Hollywood style...

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We're getting power!

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And taking cover in a bathtub...

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We're going free!

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Really save your life.

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Wow!

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Oh!

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Meanwhile, Carri-Torre and Grant...

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Oh!

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Oh, whoa!

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Fly by the seat of their pants.

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I hope they can never float this close to another plane.

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Can flying like birds in a V-formation?

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And we started getting sucked in towards the lead plane.

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Save planes fuel...

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Ah!

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Why are we doing this?

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And you, money.

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There's a lot of sexy data we got going here.

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Sexy data, not just the normal stuff.

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Who are the Mythbusters?

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Adam Savage...

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Oh, it's scientific!

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And Jamie Heinemann...

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I'll be darned.

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Between them more than 30 years of special effects experience...

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Together with Carri Byron...

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Time to wreck this car.

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Tori Belachie...

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We only have one shot at this.

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And Grant Himahara...

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I'm okay!

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They don't just tell the Myths...

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They put them to the test.

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First up, Adam and Jamie have a tub-thumping jump.

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This is a story that is about literally almost kissing your ass goodbye.

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How's that?

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This one comes from Lethal Weapon 2.

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In the movie, Danny Glover sits down on the toilet in his house for a regular constitution,

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and he hears a click.

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When he looks down, he notices that his toilet's been rigged with a pressure switch

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that will set off a bomb the moment he stands up. Are you with me?

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Yeah, I haven't seen the movie.

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That doesn't surprise me.

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Anyway, he waits there all night before getting up the courage to call his partner, Mel Gibson,

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who shows up and they can cock this plan that they will leap from the toilet into the bathtub

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for protection from the bomb.

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The bomb squad has this technique, which they use in the film,

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where they pour liquid nitrogen on the bomb,

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blowing it down for, quote, a few seconds,

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which supposedly is enough time for Mel and Danny to get from the toilet into the bathtub,

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covered with a bomb blanket,

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to survive the blast.

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I like the fact that there are several parts to this story,

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and the first one is how fast can you get from the toilet into the tub?

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Yes, and the second one is how much, if at all,

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could liquid nitrogen slow down the detonation of a bomb?

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And lastly, if you did get into the tub in time,

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would it and the bomb blanket actually protect you?

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Precisely.

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So what say we start with reaction time, set up a toilet and a bathtub in the proper geometry

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and just see how fast we can make it from one end to the other?

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Works for me.

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All right.

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So first, the guys will attempt some lethal leaping.

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Found us a toilet.

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Good.

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And for that, they decide to precisely recreate the scene of the crime.

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Oh, man.

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So to replicate the bathroom, we're using the same type of bathtub as was used in the movie,

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an annoyingly large and heavy cast iron one.

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That's the real deal.

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And I've got to fit in there with you?

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Yeah, unfortunately.

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And we've got the same type of toilet, a one-piece porcelain one.

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We're going to place them the same distance apart, just like in the movie.

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And we've even got a corner wall so that every last thing is exactly the same.

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Everything matches exactly.

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But how will they time the jump from toilet to tub?

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While it's never explicitly stated, it's pretty obvious that the bomb in the movie

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is triggered by a pressure switch under the toilet seat,

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which is convenient because we're going to use the same thing to trigger

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our timing runs.

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This little pressure switch right here.

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When we sit down on the toilet, we will compress the pressure switch

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and the system is armed.

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At that point, when we get up from the toilet,

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the timer starts going until we're in the bathtub covered with the blanket.

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We'll film it on high speed, we'll be able to see exactly how many seconds it takes us to get there.

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And if that's enough.

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And with the final piece of the puzzle, a 30-pound bomb blanket,

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just like the one from the movie, the guys will just have to get up close and press them.

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All right, ready?

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And it's going to be three, two, one, and then go.

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Okay.

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Three, two, one.

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We got to do it one more time. I missed the blanket.

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That is really creepy and distasteful.

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But scientific!

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Scientific indeed.

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All right, let's see how we did here.

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The jump is even more hilarious in slow motion.

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Your form is excellent.

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You're hugging the side.

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But it's clear that having Jamie stay low while Adam deals with the blanket is the right strategy.

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That is unbelievable.

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There we go.

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We are at two seconds and two guys are fully covered in that bathtub.

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Nice work!

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Two seconds ain't bad, but to see if they can improve.

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The guys go for the best of three.

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Two, one, go!

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Hey, that was pretty darn good!

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I'm getting all bruised along this side.

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Me too.

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Jamie and I were able to get from the toilet into the tub and covered by the bomb blanket in just under two seconds flat.

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Now the question is, will pouring liquid nitrogen on our plastic explosives bomb slow its detonation down by at least that amount of time?

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If it can, then it would seem that Mel and Danny could get to the relative and possible safety of the bathtub in time.

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If it doesn't, then I guess they'd be vaporized.

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Either way, it's going to be awesome.

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Next, Carri-Torre and Grant are winging it.

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Alright, so what's the myth?

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So I'm sure you've seen birds flying in a V.

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Yeah.

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Okay, well supposedly they do that because it's more energy efficient, which leads into our myth.

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If it works for birds, can it work for planes?

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So do you actually save fuel by flying in a V formation?

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Exactly.

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And more importantly, save money.

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Birds of a feather flock together.

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And they also fly in V formations.

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But does that conserve energy?

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And if it does, is what's good for the goose?

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Also good for planes in the wide blue yonder.

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Alright, so I think the first thing we should do is go talk to a bird expert.

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Let's find out if they actually do fly in a V formation because it's more energy efficient.

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Then we could get some small scale models of planes taken to NASA's water channel and see if they do the same thing.

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Sounds like a great plan.

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It's a two-pronged plan.

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And to find out why birds fly in a V, Carri and Torre head to Chrissy Field's bird sanctuary.

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Come on, Carri.

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I know you're going to do that.

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Where bird expert Peter Pyle can answer their feathery inquiries.

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Alright, now why is it that you see birds flying in V formation?

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The birds behind the lead individual, all birds going back in the V, will save energy by flying within the vortices of the wing beats of the bird in front of them.

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Now, you're talking about writing the vortex. What does that mean?

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Each bird, as it flaps its wing, creates a vortex behind that wing.

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And the vortex is created because there's a pressure differential between higher pressure below the wing and lower pressure above.

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And this creates an eddy that filters behind each wing.

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So as a wing moves through air, it creates a wingtip vortex.

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These low pressure spinning cones of air create upwash, giving the bird behind a boost and making it easier to sail off.

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But do the birds save energy?

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Researchers studying this have filmed birds and have seen that the birds behind the lead bird will flap less deeply and flap less often than that lead bird will.

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So that's the first clue that they're saving energy through flying in that formation.

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Ok, so less slapping means birds do save energy flying in the V formation, meaning Carrie can start on stage two.

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Now, after talking to our bird expert, I'm starting to think this myth is looking really, really good.

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But birds are not aircraft.

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So, I'm building a model airplane to take to NASA's water tunnel so I can see if flying in a flock formation has the same benefits for airplanes as it does for birds.

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Since planes don't flap their wings, the team will examine the aerodynamics behind a fixed wing aircraft.

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Sand to paint it, put it in the tunnel.

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And after a luminous paint job, Carrie's model is ready to strut its stuff.

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Love coming here.

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Water tunnel, good fun.

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At NASA, Steve Smith is on hand to help figure out the aerodynamics of the V formation.

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Ok, model's in place.

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Alright, so what are we going to see here?

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Ok, well let's go ahead and turn the die flow on.

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I can start to see it like create kind of a tube.

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As the die flows, it's clear that there is a vortex coming off the wing tip of the front plane.

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There's an upward motion from the spiral that's putting the following airplane in upwash.

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So being in the upwash of the vortex is creating lift and making it easier for the plane to fly, therefore becoming more fuel efficient.

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Exactly.

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Just like the aerodynamics of birds in a V formation, the fixed wing also creates a vortex behind its wing tip.

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And the resulting upwash makes it easier for the follow plane to stay aloft.

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Now, how far back could you be and still get the benefit?

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So the training of vortex actually persists for a long ways downstream.

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In the case of jet liners, it lasts for miles downstream.

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And that's the proof of concept that the Mythbusters need.

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Next step is to see if this model scales up to full size planes.

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Later, Adam and Jamie test the tub thumping boom.

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This whole building, I think it's going to be pretty much gone when we're done.

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But first, Kari, Tori and Grant are flying high.

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And we are off the ground.

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There's a lift off.

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So, toilet bomb.

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We left this story with the plan to do some liquid nitrogen testing.

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But we're not, are we?

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No, we're not.

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Because we look back at the original footage and we missed some of the parameters.

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Neither of us were wearing bulletproof vests.

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Exactly.

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And I'm sorry to say, you weren't wearing your pants around your ankles.

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And I hadn't sat on the toilet for 12 hours.

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Exactly.

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So I think we need to do those tests again and see how they actually affect our time.

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I'm not going to have to sit on the toilet for 12 hours, am I?

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I can't imagine that we're going to go all that way.

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But we should talk to an expert to make sure it's not too dangerous.

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Sounds like a plan to me.

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A marathon 12-hour toilet sit would limit blood flow to the legs

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and make the heroes jump harder to achieve.

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But is it even safe to attempt it?

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Just bulletproof vest, dude.

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Okay.

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You realize with full accuracy you're also going to need to pull your pants down around your ankles.

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Great.

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And to find out the maximum time that Jamie can remain on the throne, Adam sought out an expert.

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Jamie, here's our expert, Dr. Cho. He's a neurologist.

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Hi, doctor.

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So, doc, I have some questions.

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In the movie, Danny Glover sits on the toilet overnight, something like 12 hours give or take.

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Now, I was thinking maybe I'll sit on the toilet here for six or seven.

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Is there a problem with doing that?

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It is problematic, mainly because you're actually creating mechanical pressure on the nerve.

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And in a long period of time, it can damage the nerve and cause weakness and severe, severe pain.

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A minimal amount of time, maybe one to two hours is probably where you should cut off the experiment.

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Okay. Well, thanks, doc.

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Oh, you're very welcome.

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So it's only safe to sit for a maximum of two hours, which is good because the strain is starting to show.

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I've been sitting on the toilet about 26 minutes, and the first symptom has occurred, and that is that one foot, my left foot is starting to tingle.

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It's a little numb.

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After a further hour of sitting it out, Jamie's legs are uncomfortably numb.

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All right, sir. I think we've got all the parameters in place.

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You feeling ready?

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Let's do it.

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Here we go, buddy. One, two, three.

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Amazingly, even with numb legs and patch-round ankles, the guys end up on the right side of the blanket.

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Can I pull my pants up?

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Yes. Camera off, Jamie.

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No, film him. Terrible.

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Surprisingly, the numb-legged jump was only marginally slower than their previous best time.

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I think that's a good test.

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I think two seconds is the target we want ahead.

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But with all the parameters we see in the film, Jamie and I were able to dive to safety in just under two seconds of lap, which is a lot faster than I thought it would be when we started doing this testing.

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Now it all comes down to whether or not liquid nitrogen can slow the bomb's reaction down enough to give us that mythical few seconds that are explained in the film.

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Apparently, flocks of migrating birds fly in V-formation to save energy. But if birds do it, can planes do it too?

242
00:14:09,000 --> 00:14:15,000
After their proof-of-concept test at NASA, the mythbusters are ready to take to the skies.

243
00:14:15,000 --> 00:14:21,000
So we've come to the Tracy Airport to test the myth that flying in a V-formation actually saves you fuel.

244
00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,000
What a beautiful day to fly.

245
00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:26,000
This could serve some fuel.

246
00:14:26,000 --> 00:14:34,000
Now because this could be a significant savings, we've got not one, not two, not three, but nine planes.

247
00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:44,000
Nine planes and nine pilots, courtesy of the West Coast Raiders. Aerial acrobatics is their specialty.

248
00:14:44,000 --> 00:14:48,000
And the guy leading them is Tim Cole, aka Slick.

249
00:14:48,000 --> 00:14:52,000
Alright, so you're going to be helping us fly in this formation to see if we'll be able to save fuel.

250
00:14:52,000 --> 00:14:53,000
Absolutely.

251
00:14:53,000 --> 00:14:54,000
What's dangerous is that.

252
00:14:54,000 --> 00:15:01,000
It's a little more dangerous than normal formation flying. We get upside down together in these formations, but we're not doing it in the wake turbulence.

253
00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:06,000
So adding the wake turbulence is an element that we've been practicing a little bit, so hopefully everything will work out alright.

254
00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:10,000
Hopefully is right, but it might be a bumpy ride.

255
00:15:10,000 --> 00:15:14,000
We have nine planes that are going to fly in a random pattern at different altitudes.

256
00:15:14,000 --> 00:15:17,000
We're going to establish a set speed of 110 knots.

257
00:15:17,000 --> 00:15:26,000
Now we're going to fly for 10 minutes, and every 30 seconds I'm going to write down a data point for their flow rate and then we can establish a baseline, and then we can compare all our other results to it.

258
00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:31,000
So first up, all nine planes will get airborne for a fuel consumption baseline.

259
00:15:31,000 --> 00:15:35,000
Feel the need, need for data.

260
00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:40,000
To tray tables and seats in the landing positions.

261
00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:45,000
The planes taxi down the runway and take off one after the other.

262
00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:49,000
And we are off the ground.

263
00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,000
There's a lift off.

264
00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:54,000
Alright, let's start the 10 minute clock.

265
00:15:54,000 --> 00:15:58,000
Now, every 30 seconds I'm going to take down a data point.

266
00:15:58,000 --> 00:16:05,000
With the squad in random positions maintaining a speed of 110 knots, the control test is off to a flying start.

267
00:16:05,000 --> 00:16:11,000
Flow rate holding around 7 to 7.9 gallons per hour.

268
00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:13,000
This is a great control test.

269
00:16:13,000 --> 00:16:16,000
This is going to give us some juicy data.

270
00:16:16,000 --> 00:16:20,000
Yeah, you've never heard that before. Juicy data, not just the normal stuff.

271
00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,000
There's a lot of sexy data we got going here.

272
00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:30,000
Every 30 seconds that sexy fuel flow is collected for each plane as they'll test against themselves, not the other planes.

273
00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:33,000
We're only a minute to go in our control test. We're getting some really consistent results.

274
00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:37,000
We're looking at 6.5, 6 gallons per hour.

275
00:16:37,000 --> 00:16:42,000
And after 10 minutes of non-formation flying, the test comes to an end.

276
00:16:42,000 --> 00:16:44,000
Copy that. Stop data logging.

277
00:16:44,000 --> 00:16:46,000
Okay, that completes our test.

278
00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:50,000
We made it!

279
00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:52,000
Nice flying, G-Force.

280
00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:55,000
Alright, let's see if next time we can save some fuel.

281
00:16:55,000 --> 00:16:59,000
Back on solid ground, the results of the control are in.

282
00:16:59,000 --> 00:17:05,000
So for the control test in my plane cruising along at 110 knots at an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet,

283
00:17:05,000 --> 00:17:11,000
as you can see in the graphics, we get an average fuel consumption of 6.6 gallons per hour.

284
00:17:11,000 --> 00:17:13,000
The data for the other planes is similar.

285
00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:20,000
Fuel rate varies, but what's key is that the formation results for each plane will be compared against this baseline.

286
00:17:20,000 --> 00:17:24,000
Now it's time to try out a few formations and see if that makes a difference.

287
00:17:24,000 --> 00:17:31,000
Next up, can freezing C4 create enough of a delay to make a getaway?

288
00:17:31,000 --> 00:17:33,000
We're getting power!

289
00:17:34,000 --> 00:17:42,000
With the good cop sitting on a time bomb, it's down to some liquid nitrogen,

290
00:17:42,000 --> 00:17:45,000
a quick jump at a bathtub to save his life.

291
00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:50,000
Adam and Jamie have proven it takes two seconds for two men to make the leap.

292
00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:58,000
But can pouring freezing liquid nitrogen onto a bomb create the two-second delay needed for a getaway?

293
00:17:58,000 --> 00:18:02,000
The guys are headed to the top of the range to find out.

294
00:18:03,000 --> 00:18:11,000
In the movie, they pour liquid nitrogen on the bomb behind the toilet in order to slow it down and give themselves an extra few seconds.

295
00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:16,000
Now when we hear that statement, we figured that the liquid nitrogen could be acting in one of two ways.

296
00:18:16,000 --> 00:18:23,000
Either it is slowing down the C4's own reaction to the blasting cap going off and delaying the explosion,

297
00:18:23,000 --> 00:18:29,000
or it's actually slowing down the chemical reaction within the batteries that initiate that blasted cap going off.

298
00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:35,000
Whichever it is, we're going to find out here in the bomb range because we're going to try all those permutations right here.

299
00:18:35,000 --> 00:18:40,000
For that, Adam has built a disposable rig to pour liquid nitrogen onto the bomb.

300
00:18:40,000 --> 00:18:41,000
Perfect!

301
00:18:41,000 --> 00:18:48,000
But the trickiest part will be capturing the detonation delay, so the Mythbusters' brains trust has designed this.

302
00:18:48,000 --> 00:18:52,000
We've set up a system whereby when I press these buttons...

303
00:18:52,000 --> 00:18:55,000
It sends power to this relay switch right here.

304
00:18:55,000 --> 00:18:57,000
Now one leg of this relay...

305
00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,000
Instantly lights up this LED sign.

306
00:19:00,000 --> 00:19:05,000
Simultaneously, the relay's other leg sends power over to this block of C4.

307
00:19:05,000 --> 00:19:07,000
Enough power, in fact, to detonate it.

308
00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:16,000
If there is any difference at all between the power impulse and the detonation, we should see it in the difference between the lighting of that sign and the detonation of this explosive.

309
00:19:16,000 --> 00:19:22,000
And the first test of the system will be straight C4 to find the normal detonation delay.

310
00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:25,000
Okay, arming the system.

311
00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:28,000
Alright, this is straight C4 in...

312
00:19:28,000 --> 00:19:30,000
Three, two, one...

313
00:19:33,000 --> 00:19:34,000
That was lovely.

314
00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:36,000
That was really nice!

315
00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:39,000
Kind of a refreshing fo-

316
00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:41,000
Refreshingly explosive.

317
00:19:41,000 --> 00:19:44,000
But was there any kind of delay?

318
00:19:46,000 --> 00:19:50,000
Alright, it took 10 frames between the light lighting up and the C4 exploding.

319
00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:58,000
10 frames, we were shooting at 3,000 frames per second, so it's effectively 3.3 milliseconds between initiation and detonation.

320
00:19:58,000 --> 00:20:01,000
Just over 3,000ths of a second.

321
00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:06,000
Three milliseconds is the standard C4 detonation delay.

322
00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,000
So now, crack open the liquid nitrogen.

323
00:20:09,000 --> 00:20:13,000
This is exactly what I imagined being a mad scientist would be like when I was a child.

324
00:20:13,000 --> 00:20:18,000
With one cup in the flask and an identical piece of C4 in the dish...

325
00:20:18,000 --> 00:20:19,000
Okay, we're set.

326
00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:26,000
The guys retire to safety, where they wait the two minutes of the movie for the C4 to fully freeze.

327
00:20:28,000 --> 00:20:29,000
Okay, here we go.

328
00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:33,000
And three, two, one...go!

329
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:40,000
I heard stuff hitting.

330
00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,000
Yeah, no delay either.

331
00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:43,000
No delay.

332
00:20:43,000 --> 00:20:44,000
Really?

333
00:20:44,000 --> 00:20:48,000
Well, I mean, maybe a few milliseconds, but I heard three, two, one, boom.

334
00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:52,000
I didn't hear three, two, one...boom!

335
00:20:52,000 --> 00:20:57,000
Maybe not, but perhaps the high-speed camera caught a freeze-frame delay.

336
00:20:57,000 --> 00:20:59,000
46 frames.

337
00:20:59,000 --> 00:21:07,000
It's four and a half times greater of a delay when it was super, super cool than when it was just normal.

338
00:21:07,000 --> 00:21:08,000
Wow.

339
00:21:08,000 --> 00:21:11,000
It still wouldn't help you get into that bathtub, though.

340
00:21:11,000 --> 00:21:13,000
It's a pretty tiny difference.

341
00:21:13,000 --> 00:21:19,000
Fifteen thousandths of a second is far from the mythical two-second delay of the film.

342
00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:20,000
So what's next?

343
00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:25,000
Now we're going to take a period-correct battery that's attached to our bomb that would absolutely ignite it.

344
00:21:25,000 --> 00:21:31,000
We're going to immerse that in the liquid nitrogen and see if that gives us the extra time that we're looking for.

345
00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:34,000
And with one cup of liquid nitrogen in the flask...

346
00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:35,000
Here we go.

347
00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:39,000
It's time for the 80s-style alkaline battery to chill out.

348
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,000
It's immersed.

349
00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:41,000
Yep.

350
00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:47,000
With the battery immersed in minus 300-degree liquid nitrogen, the guys wait the two minutes of the film.

351
00:21:47,000 --> 00:21:56,000
Alright, this is battery and C4 immersed in liquid nitrogen in three, two, one, go!

352
00:21:58,000 --> 00:21:59,000
No boom.

353
00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:00,000
Whoa!

354
00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,000
I'll hold it down again.

355
00:22:04,000 --> 00:22:06,000
We're getting power.

356
00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:08,000
The system is still working because the sun's lighting up.

357
00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,000
Yeah.

358
00:22:09,000 --> 00:22:13,000
But we seem to have inhibited the battery's ability to set off the blasted cap.

359
00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:18,000
It looks like the bomb has frozen up, but is there another reason it's not detonating?

360
00:22:18,000 --> 00:22:20,000
You're sure it's properly wired?

361
00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:26,000
Now what we've got is a bowl full of liquid nitrogen, capped in C4 and a battery.

362
00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:32,000
We're just going to sit here and wait until the liquid nitrogen boils off, and then we're going to try and blow it up again.

363
00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:40,000
After 15 minutes, the liquid nitrogen has evaporated, and now the moment of truth of the myth is if the delay will still remain.

364
00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:42,000
Blowing up, please.

365
00:22:42,000 --> 00:22:46,000
In three, two, one.

366
00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000
Whoa!

367
00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:51,000
Nice!

368
00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,000
That worked beautifully.

369
00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:54,000
Whoo!

370
00:22:54,000 --> 00:23:03,000
Well, you know what that means for the movie? That means those guys could have just strolled right on out of that building.

371
00:23:03,000 --> 00:23:08,000
They didn't need to worry about the bathtub or bomb blankets or any of that stuff.

372
00:23:08,000 --> 00:23:14,000
Totally. They got a lot more than a couple of extra seconds. They got an extra 15 minutes by my watch.

373
00:23:14,000 --> 00:23:17,000
And we wouldn't have had to have gotten into the bathtub together either.

374
00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:19,000
I guess all that experimentation was a waste.

375
00:23:19,000 --> 00:23:20,000
Yeah.

376
00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,000
Not always. At least you'll always have the high speeds.

377
00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:34,000
Well, it would appear that the lethal weapon 2 bomb squad's technique for slowing down a bomb are far more effective in reality than they are in the movies. When does that ever happen?

378
00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:40,000
Yeah, I know. But we're not done yet. There's still quite a few more pieces to this puzzle that we have to de-zout.

379
00:23:40,000 --> 00:23:42,000
I know. Let's get to it.

380
00:23:51,000 --> 00:24:00,000
Alright, so we're back. We're out at the Tracy Airport to test whether flying in a V-formation will actually save you fuel.

381
00:24:00,000 --> 00:24:09,000
But we're not just going to test the V-formation. We're also going to test flying abreast side by side and a congaline to see if maybe there are other formations that might save you fuel.

382
00:24:09,000 --> 00:24:16,000
Just like the control test, we'll be flying in these formations for 10 minutes. We'll be monitoring how much fuel is being used.

383
00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:23,000
Once we're done, we'll see which formation is the most efficient. Most importantly, to see whether or not flying in a V-formation is the best way to go.

384
00:24:23,000 --> 00:24:36,000
This myth is all about the fuel efficiency of the V. But that's not the only formation that could save fuel. For a complete set of results, they'll also test the side-by-side and the congaline.

385
00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:43,000
But the first formation for our squad of nine planes is the mythical V.

386
00:24:44,000 --> 00:24:53,000
Now this is the dangerous part as we move into V-formation. Because remember, we are flying in the vortices of the airplane in front of us.

387
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:57,000
Alright, let's start the 10 minute clock now.

388
00:24:57,000 --> 00:25:06,000
Flow rate is now 6.8. So right now each plane is in the other's sweet spot. That sounds creepy, but it's true.

389
00:25:06,000 --> 00:25:15,000
And that sweet spot just happens to be in the wingtip vortex of the plane in front. And although it creates lift, it's also very unstable.

390
00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:27,000
We went a little bit too far in, and we started getting sucked in towards the lead plane. And if you're too far out, yeah, you get no gain at all.

391
00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:32,000
It takes a lot of skill to stay out of trouble, but the West Coast Ravens hold formation.

392
00:25:33,000 --> 00:25:42,000
Selecting data is a lot more fun from an airplane. Here we go. We're approaching 7 minutes, and we've got 6.47 gallons per hour.

393
00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:46,000
After 10 minutes, the test comes to an end.

394
00:25:47,000 --> 00:25:58,000
So we've just finished the tight V-formation. And looking at the numbers, it's already apparent that flying in a V-formation saves you more fuel than flying without it.

395
00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:07,000
But the final fuel efficiency results will stay up in the air, because the squad moves straight into the side-by-side formation.

396
00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:15,000
Okay, so this test right here is for V side-by-side. We call it shimifrest. And that's basically wingtip to wingtip.

397
00:26:15,000 --> 00:26:22,000
There's no going to be advancing or trying to get in front of like a V. This is basically side-by-side.

398
00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:29,000
There's some turbulence caused by the plane being so close together.

399
00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:36,000
I have to say, I'm a little bit nervous about this one. I don't think I've ever flown this close to another plane. On purpose at least.

400
00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,000
Now in formation, the data collection begins again.

401
00:26:40,000 --> 00:26:47,000
Alright, we are about 2 minutes in, and we're using 6.18 gallons per hour.

402
00:26:48,000 --> 00:26:52,000
But being only 15 feet away from each other is challenging their concentration.

403
00:26:53,000 --> 00:26:55,000
Oh yeah, data. I have to take the data.

404
00:26:55,000 --> 00:27:05,000
I am breathing a little deeper, just trained to calm down. But the fact that we are practically on top of each other side-by-side is freaking me out just a little bit.

405
00:27:05,000 --> 00:27:07,000
Luckily, collecting data is distracting me.

406
00:27:08,000 --> 00:27:14,000
It's a heavy mix of data and danger. And after 10 minutes, it's time for the final formation.

407
00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:18,000
Right now we are moving into position to set up for the Kongalai.

408
00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:21,000
Here I have the easy ride being up in front.

409
00:27:23,000 --> 00:27:26,000
I heard Tori and Grant have a little rougher time back behind me.

410
00:27:27,000 --> 00:27:32,000
Yep, because as the planes take their places, it's clear this isn't going to be smooth sailing.

411
00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:41,000
We just ran from a nice, easy, smooth flight to a roller coaster ride.

412
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:51,000
As we are now flying through the other planes, the Rotor Wash, and it's very turbulent.

413
00:27:51,000 --> 00:27:56,000
Oh-ho! Oh-whoa! Oh-ho! Okay!

414
00:27:56,000 --> 00:28:00,000
It's a Rotor Wash roller coaster, in the name of fuel efficiency.

415
00:28:00,000 --> 00:28:03,000
Two minutes in, we have 6.35 gallons.

416
00:28:03,000 --> 00:28:07,000
But the turbulence of this test is making the others look tame.

417
00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:10,000
And I thought line of rest was scary.

418
00:28:16,000 --> 00:28:21,000
Now, here's an interesting thing. The pilot in front of us is getting kicked out of it.

419
00:28:21,000 --> 00:28:27,000
They get kicked out so do we. So it's like, it's sort of a thing that you go all the way down the line, like bang, bang, bang.

420
00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:29,000
Oh my goodness!

421
00:28:32,000 --> 00:28:34,000
I hate the Kongalai!

422
00:28:35,000 --> 00:28:42,000
Holy crap! Why are we doing this? This doesn't seem safe at all!

423
00:28:42,000 --> 00:28:48,000
Well, after the bupiest 10 minutes of their lives, the Mythbusters can finally touch down.

424
00:28:50,000 --> 00:28:57,000
Okay, and we are down. That concludes our Kongalai test. Thank goodness.

425
00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:03,000
Back on Terraferma, it's time to find out if any of the formations saved fuel.

426
00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:06,000
Alright, you guys ready to crunch some data?

427
00:29:06,000 --> 00:29:07,000
Oh yes, sir.

428
00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:12,000
And after a bumper number crunch, the results are in.

429
00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:16,000
Now there is a lot of raw data, but the results from our planes tell the story.

430
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:21,000
Now all the control baselines are roughly similar, but what's really interesting is the formation fly.

431
00:29:21,000 --> 00:29:27,000
In the Kongalai, the fuel usage went way up by as much as 18%.

432
00:29:27,000 --> 00:29:34,000
In the side-by-side, the fuel usage was pretty much the same as the control, maybe a fraction lower, but not significantly so.

433
00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,000
But then there's the beat.

434
00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:43,000
Now both my and Tori's planes saved fuel. We were 5% and 3% more efficient than the baseline.

435
00:29:43,000 --> 00:29:50,000
But interestingly, even Kari's plane, which was the lead plane, saved fuel, which is what studies on birds have also reflected.

436
00:29:50,000 --> 00:29:57,000
And remember that all our tests performed at the same altitude and the same speed, so all our data is good and comparable.

437
00:29:57,000 --> 00:29:59,000
And good data is what it's all about.

438
00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:03,000
Good data. That can only lead to one conclusion.

439
00:30:03,000 --> 00:30:08,000
This myth is confirmed. We saw it work in theory in the water tunnel. We saw it work in practice in the air.

440
00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:15,000
Now 3-5% savings in fuel actually translates to a lot of money if you think about it in the long term.

441
00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:21,000
Flying in a V-formation may save you fuel, but there's a flaw.

442
00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:30,000
Is it really practical that anyone would fly that close realistically? Maybe we should try it again, but this time have our spacing be a little safer.

443
00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:34,000
See if you extend the V out further, if you still get that fuel efficiency.

444
00:30:34,000 --> 00:30:36,000
It'd be a lot safer. Let's try it.

445
00:30:36,000 --> 00:30:40,000
Coming up next, the final flight formation takes wing.

446
00:30:40,000 --> 00:30:42,000
I definitely like science better when it's got a view.

447
00:30:46,000 --> 00:31:04,000
Welcome back. We've been investigating the bomb proof bathtub buddy jump from Leafa Weapon 2 and so far we have actually determined that the techniques used by the bomb squad in that film would give you plenty of time to get from the toilet inside the protection of the bathtub under the bomb blanket.

448
00:31:05,000 --> 00:31:08,000
Nice! That worked beautifully!

449
00:31:08,000 --> 00:31:14,000
Now it's time to figure out if once you're in that bathtub you could actually survive the blast.

450
00:31:14,000 --> 00:31:23,000
Behind me, Jamie is leveling his spot for putting a real coated full-size bathroom in and then we're going to blow it up.

451
00:31:23,000 --> 00:31:28,000
It's the final part of this filmic fable, survivability.

452
00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:37,000
Regarding the Heinemann in his natural habitat and sconce within his protective shell, he nests, creating a home for future Heinemann.

453
00:31:37,000 --> 00:31:42,000
He seems to have noticed us. Don't make a move.

454
00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:44,000
What do you think? Is it level yet?

455
00:31:44,000 --> 00:31:45,000
Not even close.

456
00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:46,000
Okay.

457
00:31:47,000 --> 00:31:55,000
Without interaction went without instant. Just remember, the Heinemann is just as afraid of you as you are of him.

458
00:31:56,000 --> 00:32:00,000
With the ground on the level, it's a simple job of bringing in the floor.

459
00:32:00,000 --> 00:32:01,000
Close enough?

460
00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:02,000
Close enough.

461
00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:09,000
Knocking up the walls and hauling in Buster with the all-important top.

462
00:32:09,000 --> 00:32:11,000
Perfect! Here we go!

463
00:32:14,000 --> 00:32:15,000
Ta-da!

464
00:32:16,000 --> 00:32:18,000
Savage and Heinemann Construction Company.

465
00:32:19,000 --> 00:32:26,000
They're building to code, but just like all of this Buster's construction projects, the ultimate fate is detonation.

466
00:32:27,000 --> 00:32:30,000
Our little disposable outhouse is almost done.

467
00:32:30,000 --> 00:32:32,000
Not quite. I think it needs to go to paint.

468
00:32:32,000 --> 00:32:34,000
Ah, perfect. Let's do it.

469
00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:38,000
You might say it's a bog standard job.

470
00:32:38,000 --> 00:32:44,000
I know. It's the worst painting job ever. If I were hiring me to do this, I'd ask me for my money back.

471
00:32:44,000 --> 00:32:47,000
And once it's complete, they can bring in the can.

472
00:32:49,000 --> 00:32:50,000
Yeah, that feels about right.

473
00:32:50,000 --> 00:32:56,000
With the layout matching the movie, it's time for their experimental apparatus to join the John.

474
00:32:56,000 --> 00:32:59,000
I'm about to drill a hole in this bathtub for our instrumentation.

475
00:32:59,000 --> 00:33:03,000
The technical term for this drill bit is big hunkin' drill bit.

476
00:33:03,000 --> 00:33:07,000
And that makes a big hunking hole in the cast iron.

477
00:33:07,000 --> 00:33:08,000
Here we go.

478
00:33:09,000 --> 00:33:16,000
This here is the plug I just drilled out of the bathtub for our sensing equipment to find out if our dudes would actually survive this blast.

479
00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:20,000
And I noticed something really particular about it, which is it's a lot of cast iron.

480
00:33:20,000 --> 00:33:24,000
A lot of cast iron in the way between our guys and the blast.

481
00:33:24,000 --> 00:33:27,000
And it's kind of at an ideal glancing angle.

482
00:33:27,000 --> 00:33:32,000
I am starting to feel cautiously optimistic that this blast might be survivable.

483
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:37,000
Adam's optimistic, but to precisely monitor survivability, they've got this.

484
00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:42,000
So I'm going to install this pipe cap right here in the hole at the bottom of the tub.

485
00:33:42,000 --> 00:33:45,000
And inside it are actually our two sensors.

486
00:33:45,000 --> 00:33:52,000
These sensors will give us the pressure readings and let us know whether our movie heroes actually survived the blast in this tub.

487
00:33:53,000 --> 00:33:58,000
And for a comparison, Adam fits a twin set of sensors on the outside of the bath.

488
00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:00,000
Alright, sensors are in.

489
00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:05,000
Then Jamie adds his finishing touches to their bathroom bomb backdrop.

490
00:34:05,000 --> 00:34:09,000
Water is very good at absorbing energy.

491
00:34:09,000 --> 00:34:13,000
Yep, soon it will look like a bomb has hit it.

492
00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:15,000
Come on, boy, are you ready?

493
00:34:17,000 --> 00:34:19,000
Now it looks right.

494
00:34:22,000 --> 00:34:24,000
Is it a bird?

495
00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:25,000
Is it a plane?

496
00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:30,000
No, it's the Mythbusters in planes flying like birds.

497
00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:33,000
I definitely like science better when it's got a view.

498
00:34:33,000 --> 00:34:41,000
With the V formation confirmed, the Mythbusters are taken to the air for their twist on this fuel-efficient formation.

499
00:34:41,000 --> 00:34:44,000
So we are setting up for what we're calling the extended V.

500
00:34:44,000 --> 00:34:47,000
Now this is just like the tight V with one major difference.

501
00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:52,000
Instead of being one plane length away from your leader, you're going to be ten plane lengths away.

502
00:34:52,000 --> 00:34:56,000
Now based on our results in the water channel, we should see some sort of a difference.

503
00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:59,000
We'll see if that translates into practical world.

504
00:34:59,000 --> 00:35:02,000
This is a more real-world scenario.

505
00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:10,000
The tight V is far too dangerous for normal aircraft, but will increasing the distance of the V still benefit fuel efficiency.

506
00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:14,000
We're about 200 feet from the plane in front of us and the plane behind us.

507
00:35:14,000 --> 00:35:17,000
But being this far away, it's hard to find that sweet spot.

508
00:35:17,000 --> 00:35:22,000
With all the squad fad out in their extended positions, the clock starts once more.

509
00:35:22,000 --> 00:35:30,000
Now the interesting thing out here is that even though theoretically you should have the same effect,

510
00:35:30,000 --> 00:35:33,000
I don't feel like we're flying through someone's wing.

511
00:35:33,000 --> 00:35:34,000
It's pretty smooth.

512
00:35:34,000 --> 00:35:38,000
Being in the vortex in the long V formation isn't as noticeable,

513
00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:43,000
but you can still tell the pilots have to make a lot of adjustments to stay here.

514
00:35:43,000 --> 00:35:50,000
It may be, but when it comes to applying it to fleets of passenger jets, this could be a more practical formation.

515
00:35:50,000 --> 00:35:54,000
I'm noticing a little bit more of a variation in the numbers.

516
00:35:54,000 --> 00:35:56,000
They were a lot more consistent with the tight V.

517
00:35:56,000 --> 00:35:59,000
I'm thinking it's a lot harder to stay in that sweet spot when you're in the extended V.

518
00:35:59,000 --> 00:36:00,000
It's harder to find it.

519
00:36:00,000 --> 00:36:06,000
And after ten minutes of data logging, the Mythbusters can bring this myth in for a landing.

520
00:36:06,000 --> 00:36:10,000
And that will include your in-flight entertainment on Mythbuster.

521
00:36:10,000 --> 00:36:15,000
We know you have a choice to travel, so thank you for traveling with Mythbuster.

522
00:36:16,000 --> 00:36:20,000
Alright, extended V formation, how'd you guys do?

523
00:36:20,000 --> 00:36:23,000
Well, you know what? I actually saved fuel.

524
00:36:23,000 --> 00:36:28,000
I mean, even ten airplane lengths back, I was able to benefit from that sweet spot.

525
00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:32,000
Well, in the extended V, I didn't see any savings whatsoever,

526
00:36:32,000 --> 00:36:35,000
but you know, I suspect it's from being all the way at the end of the pack.

527
00:36:35,000 --> 00:36:39,000
It's just so hard to keep compensating and trying to find that sweet spot.

528
00:36:39,000 --> 00:36:42,000
Alright, Kerry, you as the plane in the lead, how did you do?

529
00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:47,000
Well, unlike the really tight V formation, in the loose formation, I did not actually get any savings.

530
00:36:47,000 --> 00:36:51,000
But honestly, I still think this myth is confirmed for the loose V formation,

531
00:36:51,000 --> 00:36:55,000
because if there's even just a little bit of savings for the following planes,

532
00:36:55,000 --> 00:36:58,000
in a large scale, that actually translates to a lot of money.

533
00:36:58,000 --> 00:37:00,000
This might be the way to fly in the future.

534
00:37:00,000 --> 00:37:01,000
It's confirmed.

535
00:37:01,000 --> 00:37:09,000
After the break, is Rub-a-Dum-Dub, will Buster survive in the tub?

536
00:37:09,000 --> 00:37:11,000
What? Wow!

537
00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:20,000
Down on the range, the Mythbusters are prepping for the bathroom boom.

538
00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:24,000
We are almost there, and here's how this experiment is going to play out.

539
00:37:24,000 --> 00:37:27,000
Our bomb will be placed exactly where it is placed in the film,

540
00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:30,000
directly behind the toilet, on the ground.

541
00:37:30,000 --> 00:37:34,000
Buster will be inside the cast iron tub, the exact same geometry as we see in the movie,

542
00:37:34,000 --> 00:37:39,000
and he will be covered by an actual bomb-proof blanket.

543
00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:45,000
Underneath this blanket are two pairs of PCB pressure transducers.

544
00:37:45,000 --> 00:37:49,000
And the signal from the sensors will be coming through wires that go into this pipe

545
00:37:49,000 --> 00:37:52,000
and are buried in the ground for their protection,

546
00:37:52,000 --> 00:37:56,000
and are picked up by this data acquisition center,

547
00:37:56,000 --> 00:37:59,000
which will take a signal and send it through that wire.

548
00:37:59,000 --> 00:38:05,000
And ends up here, where our trustee, David Hardy, will receive those electrical signals as data

549
00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:10,000
and tell us once and for all whether Buster in the tub survived the blast.

550
00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:11,000
Pretty cool, huh?

551
00:38:11,000 --> 00:38:12,000
Pretty cool.

552
00:38:12,000 --> 00:38:17,000
And the very last piece of this lethal weapon myth is the lethal weapon itself.

553
00:38:17,000 --> 00:38:20,000
It might make their outhouse more out than house,

554
00:38:20,000 --> 00:38:24,000
but it's the same amount of C4 as the bomb in the movie.

555
00:38:24,000 --> 00:38:28,000
We are going to try and find out if Buster would survive in that cast iron bathtub

556
00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:30,000
protected by the bomb blanket.

557
00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:36,000
And inside that tub, our PCB pressure transducers are actually going to give us some mighty fine readings.

558
00:38:36,000 --> 00:38:41,000
They should be able to tell us whether Buster's dead or merely severely injured,

559
00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:44,000
or maybe just had his eardrums blown out.

560
00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:47,000
This is the last piece of the mythical puzzle.

561
00:38:47,000 --> 00:38:53,000
Will the bathtub and bomb blanket protect Buster from the blast?

562
00:38:53,000 --> 00:38:58,000
With everything in position, the guys retreat to the bunker for the final countdown.

563
00:38:58,000 --> 00:39:03,000
This is the lethal weapon to bathtub blast.

564
00:39:03,000 --> 00:39:09,000
Charging, ready to go in three, two, one.

565
00:39:11,000 --> 00:39:12,000
Wow.

566
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:22,000
Oh, look, I can see the tub is still there in one piece.

567
00:39:24,000 --> 00:39:27,000
There's nothing else in it.

568
00:39:27,000 --> 00:39:29,000
No, the room is gone.

569
00:39:29,000 --> 00:39:31,000
It's fully gone.

570
00:39:33,000 --> 00:39:38,000
There's no doubt that one kilo of C4 took out the room.

571
00:39:40,000 --> 00:39:44,000
However, the cast iron bathtub seems to be made of tougher stuff.

572
00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,000
The tub is fine.

573
00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:51,000
Our sensors are also intact, which is really nice.

574
00:39:51,000 --> 00:39:53,000
There's no sign of the toilet whatsoever.

575
00:39:53,000 --> 00:39:58,000
Well, I found the toilet seat and the toilet mechanism, but as far as the actual toilet.

576
00:39:58,000 --> 00:40:02,000
Yeah, there's like little bits of ceramic.

577
00:40:03,000 --> 00:40:06,000
Well, so we check with David and see what the data says.

578
00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:09,000
I don't think there's anything else left to do here.

579
00:40:11,000 --> 00:40:12,000
Hey, David.

580
00:40:12,000 --> 00:40:13,000
What do we got?

581
00:40:14,000 --> 00:40:16,000
Well, you can see for yourselves.

582
00:40:17,000 --> 00:40:20,000
The red and the blue curves are the sensors that were outside the tub.

583
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:23,000
You can clearly right off and see the red line and the blue line.

584
00:40:23,000 --> 00:40:25,000
The pressure spike is really severe.

585
00:40:25,000 --> 00:40:26,000
180 psi.

586
00:40:26,000 --> 00:40:30,000
Am I correct that the green line looks pretty minimal?

587
00:40:30,000 --> 00:40:33,000
The maximum pressure inside the tub was 8 psi.

588
00:40:33,000 --> 00:40:34,000
You're telling me that's survivable.

589
00:40:34,000 --> 00:40:36,000
Very survivable.

590
00:40:37,000 --> 00:40:39,000
No way.

591
00:40:39,000 --> 00:40:41,000
That is crazy.

592
00:40:41,000 --> 00:40:49,000
The difference between the sensors inside the tub and the ones on the outside clearly show that the blast is survivable.

593
00:40:49,000 --> 00:40:53,000
And moreover, would they have had hearing damage?

594
00:40:53,000 --> 00:41:02,000
The threshold for a rupture of the ear drum starts around 5 psi, so there is a chance and according to our research, it's probably going to be between 10 and 15% chance of hearing damage.

595
00:41:02,000 --> 00:41:04,000
It's still pretty low.

596
00:41:04,000 --> 00:41:06,000
That blows my freaking mind.

597
00:41:06,000 --> 00:41:15,000
With only a 10 to 15% chance of hearing damage, it seems that amazingly, this lethal weapon leap is confirmed.

598
00:41:16,000 --> 00:41:26,000
While I'm standing on the only intact part of our bathroom set, the cast iron tub, or as I plan to refer to it from here on in, the bomb proof survival vessel.

599
00:41:26,000 --> 00:41:31,000
Buster here is a living being thanks to the strength of this bathtub.

600
00:41:31,000 --> 00:41:41,000
And even though I predicted that that might actually occur, it doesn't mean I'm completely blown away looking at the damage around me and finding out that it was true.

601
00:41:41,000 --> 00:41:43,000
I am totally astonished.

602
00:41:43,000 --> 00:41:52,000
I mean, first of all, it turns out that liquid nitrogen will slow down the detonation of a bomb and then it turns out that the cast iron tub will totally protect you from the blast when it does go off.

603
00:41:52,000 --> 00:41:56,000
Yeah, how often do we replicate an action sequence and everything turns out to be true?

604
00:41:56,000 --> 00:41:58,000
Everything's confirmed.

605
00:41:58,000 --> 00:41:59,000
Who knew?