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Ancient Engineering SeriesTREBUCHET.com
The Atomic Bomb of the Middle Ages

TK3 Model Trebuchet


Designed and made in the USA for
better quality, better performance!


The TK3 Trebuchet Model Kit is an ideal science project machine! Use the hanging counterweight bucket for variable weights, or convert it to a fixed counterweight machine, wheels, or no wheels. The choice is yours!



The TK3 model trebuchet can demonstrate all the principles of the trebuchet as either a hanging counterweight machine, or quickly convert it to a wheeled fixed counterweight machine (and back again!) Which is better? Which one is more efficient? More accurate? More fun? Now you can be the judge!

This professionally engineered model requires only two or three hours and a little glue to assemble. The only tools you'll need are a pair of scissors and (optionally) a utility knife. It has a 15 inch throwing arm, is 18 inches from front to back, 9 inches wide and 13 inches tall at the axle. This is a working model capable of tossing the included wooden missiles over 40 feet!

Precision cut from high quality solid hardwood, the kit includes everything you need to build a working model!*

The detailed instructions are complete with diagrams, photos, tuning tips, and even efficiency equations for calculating your maximum theoretical range! All parts are pre-cut, pre-drilled and can be assembled to a finished model in one evening (plus glue drying time).

The trebuchet is a fantastic demonstration in physics and dynamics. One of the big debates in recent years among historians is whether trebuchets in history used wheels to increase their efficiency and make them more portable, or if they were built on-site without wheels and with counterweights hanging from the end of the arm. This debate was even explored in a recent TV documentary (NOVA, Secrets of Lost Empires: Medieval Siege).

We've put a lot of time and effort into making this kit as easy and complete as possible. It's a fun way to learn about science and history!


* The counterweight box is supplied, but you'll need to supply the counterweight material to fill the box. For best performance, we recommend using 360 pennies for counterweight and/or two 1.25 lb. barbel weights (barbel mounting inserts also included).


Tools required:
Scissors, Glue, Ruler, and a utility knife. Sandpaper is optional.

Assembly time:
For a Master carpenter doing a sloppy job: about 2 hours.
A person with no kit building experience being extremely meticulous: about six hours.
The model in these photos was built by Ron Toms in about three hours.

Assembled Size:
- Height: 13" at the main axle, 24" to the tip of the arm.
- Length: 18"
- Width: 9"

Additional Counterweight Required: 360 pennies recommended
(Or loose nuts and bolts, other coins, rocks, anything that
can fit into the 2" x 2" x 3" counterweight box.) and/or two 1.25 barbel weights (barbel weight mounting inserts are included, but not the weights.)

Range:
- 20 to 40 feet with the included wooden ball projectiles.
(Optimal range assumes a well tuned machine)

Shipping weight: 2.5 lbs.
Box dimensions: 20" x 12" x 4"



Quantity pricing info:
0 to 4 kits, standard price.
5 to 9 kits, 10% off
10 or more kits, 15% off
Bulk priced kits are not individually packaged. All parts, components, instructions and hardware for each kit are combined into one box.

Orders of $200 or more get FREE ground shipping!

For more discount pricing info, please visit www.RLT.com/wholesale

WARNING! This is a functional model intended for display and/or educational demonstrations of physics. It contains a fast moving arm and projectile that can cause injury if you make contact when firing. Use only under strict, competent adult supervision.

* The counterweight box is supplied, but you'll need to supply the counterweight material to fill the box. For best performance, we recommend using 360 pennies for counterweight and/or two 1.25 lb. barbel weights (barbel mounting inserts are included).

* Can throw 40 feet when properly constructed and tuned with sufficient counterweights. Your performance may vary.

* TK3 Trebuchet is a trademark of RLT Industries.




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    Price: $59.00
    Minimum age: 12
    Availability: In stock.

    Add to Cart
    Item code: 10401

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Interesting Notes

Some Trebuchet History:


From the 13th century writing: "Itinerarium Peregrinorum et Gesta Regis Ricardi"

In June and July of 1191, Richard the Lionheart (the Duke of Normandy) laid siege to the city of Acre as part of the medieval Crusades.

The Duke concentrated on constructing siege machines and placing trebuchets [petrariae - literally, stone hurler] in suitable places. He arranged for these to shoot continually day and night. He had one excellent one which he called "Bad Neighbor" [Malvoisine]. Its continual bombardment partly destroyed the main city wall and shattered the Cursed Tower. On one side the Templars' trebuchet wreaked impressive devastation, while the Hospitallers trebuchet also never ceased hurling, to the terror of the Turks.

Besides these, there was a trebuchet that had been constructed at general expense, which they called "God's Stone-Thrower". A priest, a man of great probity, always stood next to it preaching and collecting money for its continual repair and for hiring people to gather the stones for its ammunition. This machine at last demolished the wall next to the Cursed Tower for around two perches' Length [11 yards or 10 meters].

The count of Flanders had had a choice trebuchet, which King Richard had after his death, as well as another trebuchet which was not so good. These two constantly bombarded the tower next to a gate which the Turks frequently used, until the tower was half-demolished. Besides these, King Richard had two new ones made with remarkable workmanship and material which would hit the intended target no matter how far off it was. . . . He also had two mangonels [traction trebuchets] prepared. One of these was so swift and violent that its shots reached the inner streets of the city meat market.

King Richard's trebuchets hurled constantly by day and night. It can be firmly stated that one of them killed twelve men with a single stone. That stone was sent for Saladin to see, with messengers who said that the diabolical king of England had brought from Messina, a city he had captured, sea flint and the smoothest stones to punish the Saracens. Nothing could withstand their blows; everything was crushed or reduced to dust.