Does This Make Any Sense?

What were they going to do? Get their chemistry sets out and begin measuring and mixing liquids so as to make a bomb and then assemble timers (why do they need timers?) and detonators to do the deed? It just don't make any sense... Or am I missing something?

Britain Thwarts Airline Terror Plot

British authorities said the threat involved terrorists who aimed to smuggle liquid explosive material aboard airplanes in hand baggage, including timers and detonators that could be assembled in flight...