Bilal Abdulla from Iraq and Mohammed Asha from Jordan were part of a terrorist cell of Islamic extremists who tried to launch attacks on busy urban areas including a night club in central London, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
But the men allegedly turned their plans into a suicide attack after the first mission failed and a third member of the cell died after driving a burning Jeep into Glasgow airport.
"These men were intent on committing murder on an indiscriminate and a wholescale" level, said Jonathan Laidlaw QC, prosecuting.
"Attacks such as these: the terrorist would call them 'spectaculars'" he added.
But he said the most shocking aspect of the case was that the plot was carried out by two doctors, who had dedicated themselves to saving lives.
"Apart from the shocking nature of the activity these two defendants were engaged in, the extraordinary thing about this case is that both men are doctors," Mr Laidlaw said.
"Having studied at universities in their homelands they sought and obtained work in British hospitals to complete their medical training.
"While here they turned their attention away from the treating of illness to the planning of murder."
The first attack, in the early hours of June 29 last year, involved a green G-registered Mercedes packed with gas canisters and petrol cans, outside the Tiger Tiger nightclub in the Haymarket at the heart of London's West End.
The second of the cars, a blue, L-registered Mercedes was parked near a bus stop in Cockspur street, just south of the night club, possibly as a secondary device "deliberately placed there so it would be in the path of those evacuated."
The bombs included large quantities of nails to "add to their destructive effect" but despite repeated attempts both cars failed to explode because there was not enough oxygen in the car for the petrol and gas to ignite, the court was told.
The club was packed with over 500 customers and Mr Laidlaw said it was "no more than good fortune that nobody died."
"Had it been executed in the way intended [it] would have resulted in the loss of many lives particularly among the young seeking entertainment in the area or on their way home after a night out," the prosecutor added.
Although the men had at least two others cars and further supplies of gas, petrol and electrical circuitry for the detonators, they allegedly changed their plans to a suicide attack.
They spent the night in a hotel in Forest Gate, east London but realised they had left clues behind in the unexploded vehicles, Mr Laidlaw said.
"The group knew they had only a very limited amount of time available to them before they would be caught," he said.
The next day on Saturday June 30, the busiest day of the year at Glasgow airport, a Jeep packed with gas canisters was driven into the doors of the terminal building and the men inside threw down petrol bombs in an effort to ensure the vehicle exploded.
"Again fortune intervened to save those inside the terminal," Mr Laidlaw said. "The Jeep became trapped in the terminal doors and despite the best efforts of the bombers and although there was a fierce fire, the jeep did not explode."
The court was told that Kafeel Ahmed, one of the bombers, died from the injuries he suffered.
Mr Laidlaw said the men planned "revengeful attacks" as "punishment brought to bear on the British people for what the men see as our country's part in the persecution of the Muslim community all over the world but particularly Palestine and, of course, Iraq."
The planning for the attacks began early last year, Mr Laidlaw said.
They began by finding a house and garage in a quiet residential area near Paisley, Renfrewshire, 14 miles from Glasgow, where they could prepare and arm the vehicles, the court was told.
In May they conducted a reconnaissance trip to London in which they allegedly spent time in the City of London, particularly around the Old Bailey court.
The vehicles used in the London attacks were among four cars and a Jeep bought in Scotland and the North of England.
Abdulla, 29, and Asha, 27, deny conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions and the trial continues.
