August 31, 2005

Mad Max IV: Tornadodome!

Paper due in class tonight + fantasy football draft tomorrow = no White Trash Wednesday or Part IV.

Meanwhile, go chase a tornado:

Anyone wanting a closer look, or to actually get a glimpse of the interior of a tornado, would need a heavy, armored vehicle that could withstand intense winds, debris and hail.

That's exactly what IMAX cinematographer Sean Casey has built with his Tornado Intercept Vehicle (TIV). The TIV is big, heavy and armor plated. With it, Casey hopes to record a direct hit with a tornado and survive.
Check this thing out - it's like the Batmobile's ugly brother:
(Photo courtesy George Kourounis) The TIV, before the addition of a rotating turret to house the IMAX camera.

Yeah, I want one.

Posted by Chris at August 31, 2005 08:11 AM

Category: General Weirdness
Comments

May I recommend a design review against the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's regulatory guide on tornado protection.

Let's see - flying 2 ft. piece of rebar at 200 mph - nope - takes 2 inch of bulletproof glass

Flying 2000 lb automobile, at 50 ft above ground at 100 mph - nope - dropped on top? Don't think so.

Sudden 5 psi depressurization (why house literally blow up under a tornado) - nope - windows will blow out

(There's more butI'll stop here)

Sorry, looks like I'd give this design an F.

BTW, what's the mileage?

Posted by: Whitehall at September 10, 2005 04:31 PM