Ep 3. Series 1 Episode 3

Scrapheap Challenge, also known as Junkyard Wars in the United States, is a British television series that originally aired from 1998 to 2004. The show was known for its unique premise, which involved teams of engineers and craftsmen going head-to-head in a competition to build working machines using only scrap metal and assorted junkyard materials.

In Series 1 Episode 3, two teams of contestants are tasked with building machines capable of digging a trench. The teams have just two days to complete their machines, and they must scavenge the nearby junkyard for all of their materials.

The first team is made up of three engineers from Surrey, UK, who call themselves the "Rustbuckets." Their machine is a tracked vehicle that they believe will be both fast and powerful enough to dig a deep trench in a short amount of time. They start by scavenging an old tractor engine and some hydraulic rams, which they use to power their tracks and digging arm.

The second team is called "Team Scavenger" and is made up of four friends from Liverpool, UK. They decide to build a trenching machine that is based on a bicycle. Their idea is to create a pedal-powered machine that can dig a trench quickly and efficiently, using nothing but manpower. To do this, they start by scavenging the frames from several old bikes, along with some gears and chains.

Over the course of two days, both teams work feverishly to build and test their machines. They encounter several setbacks and challenges along the way, including a broken hydraulic line on the Rustbuckets' machine and a misaligned bicycle chain on Team Scavenger's machine.

Despite these setbacks, both teams manage to complete their machines and head to the competition arena to show off their creations. The judges are impressed with both machines, but ultimately declare the Rustbuckets to be the winners due to their speed and power.

The episode concludes with both teams reflecting on their experiences and the challenges they faced during the competition. They agree that while building machines out of junkyard materials was difficult, it was also incredibly rewarding and provided a unique opportunity to showcase their engineering skills.

Overall, Series 1 Episode 3 of Scrapheap Challenge showcases the ingenuity and resourcefulness of its contestants, as they use nothing but junkyard materials to create working machines. The episode is filled with drama, tension, and excitement, as both teams race to complete their machines before time runs out. It's a must-watch for anyone who enjoys engineering, DIY projects, or competition shows.